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LUCIANA SAT ON HARRISON’Sbackyard patio the next morning, listening to the sounds of birds flying through the trees.The sun shone brightly in the sky, the salty breeze from the ocean blowing through her hair, but she felt slightly dazed, like she was again living in a dream.
Harrison had made love to her slowly and sweetly last night.She’d slept soundly in his arms, but her heart had raced as soon as he left this morning.Not unlike all those weeks ago while she was being held prisoner, she sensed something was about to happen.Her gaze swept across the yard, Luciana suddenly feeling antsy and restless.The area was fenced in.Secure.She’d see if anyone came back here.Harrison had added the app for the security feed onto her smart phone, so she could monitor the house as well.It made her feel a bit safer, but she was still worried.
Her father’s evil knew no end.While she doubted the cartel would necessarily take the trouble to track her here, she knew her own father.He hated her for disobeying the family and leaving, for forging a life of her own.She didn’t doubt he’d drag her kicking and screaming right back to Panama, handing her over to the cartel leader.
Except he’d have to find her first.
Swiping away the tears suddenly rolling down her cheeks, she moved inside the house.The coffee maker Harrison had bought her weeks ago sat on the counter, and she smiled despite her sadness.He was a good man.Attentive and kind.Giving, both in and out of the bedroom.Her body heated anytime he was near, and the way he made love to her each night?It made her heart swell with happiness and body reach new heights of pleasure.
She glanced at the new package of Kona coffee he’d left her on the counter.Even though he still hated the stuff, he made sure to stock up because it made her happy.It was only one of many things she was growing to love about him.
The doorbell rang, and Luciana moved to the foyer, glancing through the peephole.Her boxes were finally arriving today, and she was thrilled to soon have some of her own things.
What did it say that she was essentially moving her stuff into Harrison’s home?She didn’t have a ton, given she’d been on assignment, but it felt like it meant something.She was officially living with her boyfriend, and she’d only just met the man.Life didn’t get any crazier than that.
The delivery driver was young, and she said hello to him as she opened the door.“I’ve got fifteen boxes, but a couple of them were slightly damaged.You can take a look for yourself and refuse delivery if you want to file a claim.”
“Si, I will take peek.”
She followed the driver out to the truck, noticing another vehicle slowly driving down the street.It was unusual given how secluded Harrison’s house was.The vehicle continued on though, and she turned toward the delivery truck.The driver rolled up the back so she could see inside, and then he climbed up, pointing to which boxes were hers.“These over here are what’s damaged,” he said, bending to grab one and carrying it closer to her.“You can refuse one or all of them if you’d like.”
The sound of a car door slamming had her jumping in surprise, and then as she heard men shouting, a shock of fear bolted through her.Luciana opened her mouth and screamed, but before she could run, suddenly everything went black.
***
“IMAGINE LEAVING YOURown daughter in the hands of a cartel that traffics women because you’re worried about business dealings,” Sawyer spat out.
“He’s a damn bastard,” Hudson agreed.“And I have a bad feeling he’s not going to leave this alone.He’ll come for her.”
Harrison looked up from across the conference room table.Papers were spread across it, and the men were digging deeper into the newest threat against Harrison’s woman.She was his.He’d known it from the moment he went to her in that damn bedroom down in Panama.Maybe even before then.Just looking at her photograph had haunted him, and he’d do everything in his power to keep her safe.
“I called Avery,” Ryan said.“I don’t want her to worry, but some of these recent developments lead me to believe they’ll try tracking Luciana here.If they know Avery’s ties to her....”His voice trailed off.
“We’ll protect them both,” Sawyer said.“Those nasty cartel fools won’t want to step foot in Honolulu, because it’ll be the last move they ever make.”
Harrison eyed him but didn’t comment.The fact of the matter was, Luciana was in danger.Maybe the cartel and her father wouldn’t find her immediately, but Harrison had a hunch they wouldn’t stop looking.Luciana had told him her delivery was arriving today, and that worried him as well.He should’ve been there himself, but he had briefings early this a.m.that he needed to attend.They’d already made a plan for her to have the delivery driver stack everything in the garage so he didn’t need to enter the home.
Grabbing his cell, he called her.It rang and went to voicemail, so he left a message.“Hey baby.Just checking to see if your delivery came yet.Talk to you soon.”
Sawyer was smirking at him when he set his phone back down.
“Can it,” Harrison said.
“I didn’t say a word, commander.”
Aaron clapped him on the shoulder as he walked by, smiling.“I’m happy for you, sir.Avery always raved about Luciana.I’m glad it worked out.”
Harrison nodded his thanks, then pulled up the security feed to his home on his cell phone, unease still coursing through him.There were a million reasons why Luciana didn’t answer his call.She could be in the shower or out getting the mail.She could be busy unpacking if the delivery was already there.
It bothered him though, and as he looked through the notifications, he saw a missed ring from his doorbell camera only fifteen minutes ago.Pulling up that clip, he saw Luciana talking to the delivery guy.Their voices were slightly garbled, and he frowned as she stepped outside.It was strange that she followed him to the truck.It looked like the driver climbed inside the back, but Harrison couldn’t see what was happening in there from the camera angle.
A lone car stopped on the street, and suddenly Harrison’s heart began to pound.He didn’t recognize the vehicle, and they didn’t get much through traffic.
“No!”he roared as he saw two men rushing from the vehicle.Luciana screamed in fright, but as one of them knocked her out, the other attacked the delivery driver.The men loaded both into the back of the truck, one of them climbing into the driver’s seat.
His heart nearly stopped as the engine roared to life and the truck pulled away with the woman he loved still inside.
