There was no one.

  After closing the door, I watched as the four men toured the place by themselves while Noel placed the bottle in the kitchen, returning with a frown on her face.

  “What do they want?” she whispered.

  “We’re going to find out.”

  “Magnifioso,” Saldono said as he returned. “I do hope you’ll raise beautiful babies here.”

  “Is there something you need to discuss?” I pressed.

  “Yes. Noel, do you mind if Kage and I talk privately?”

  I threw out my hand, shaking my head. “Anything that needs to be said will be done in front of her.”

  He wasn’t miffed. In fact, I was certainly he was fairly impressed. “Very well. I’ll get to the point. I want you to lead the Rinaldi regime. You are the only man I can trust to do so.”

  There was no way I’d been expecting that. None. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

  He laughed. “I’m sorry for catching you off guard and for not discussing this with you before but as you might imagine, the last two months had been… difficult. You have a solid reputation in the city, with my men and it would seem you have influence over various men who provide my organization with assistance. I would be honored if you would consider taking over my organization. I can assure you that you will become a very wealthy man.”

  “I am a wealthy man, Saldono.”

  “True. I understand you sold your grandfather’s company for a very nice profit.”

  As he glanced from Noel back to me, I could tell she was becoming antsy. Did I enjoy power and money? Well, of course I did, but with her goodness and light, I wanted nothing to do with being enveloped in the dark side of crime or politics.

  To say I’d turned over a new leaf might be extreme, but I was enjoying life without the pressures of staying under the radar.

  “Yes, I did, Saldono. While I appreciate the offer, I honestly have no desire to continue looking over my shoulder under any circumstances. Besides, I have a new job.” I couldn’t help myself, pulling Noel’s hand to my lips.

  She laughed heartedly as Saldono raised his eyebrows. “It would seem my latest book sales are through the roof. I need someone I can count on by my side, a bodyguard so to speak.”

  Saldono laughed and shook his head. “Ah, the power of love. I do remember those days. And I understand. I’ve often wondered what my life would be like had I fought my father’s wishes, becoming a pediatrician instead.”

  I thought for certain Noel was going to laugh in his face but when she moved closer to the man, placing her hand on his arm, the sweet smile was able to warm the man. “You would have made an amazing doctor.”

  He took her hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing her knuckles. “Thank you for that. A compliment I will treasure. If you should change your mind, you know where to find me.”

  “Yes, I do,” I told him, “but I assure you I won’t.”

  As he headed to the door, Noel and I glanced at each other, both of us amused by his offer. After opening the door, he hesitated. “I admire you, Kage. You were given a raw deal but instead of turning into a monster, you overcame every obstacle. Your children will be proud of you.”

  Neither one of us said anything until he and his brigade had left. I couldn’t help turning toward her, grinning like some mischievous kid. “Does he know something I don’t know?”

  “Sorry, my handsome man. I plan on enjoying success with my new bodyguard for a little while. However…” She ran her hand down my chest before walking away.

  I found it fascinating how much I’d changed over the last few months, more so than I thought possible.

  All because of a broken-down pup helping a broken man find the life and the woman of his dreams. Yes, life was amazing.

  Noel

  There was a lot to be said for hard work and diligence. As I gazed into the crowd of at least four hundred fans taking over the bookstore, I was shocked how good it felt to finally be in the limelight. I’d hated it before, doing everything I could to avoid the possibility. Now I relished it.

  Maybe that was because I had one hunk of a man watching out for and over me.

  He also refused to allow me to get away with anything.

  Or the people waiting to see me.

  I’d started calling him the enforcer because he was tough as nails, but during the last two weeks of going from state to state, city to city promoting my latest release, he’d never missed a beat. Always by my side.

  Always with encouraging words.

  Always reminding me that I belonged to him.

  As my agent finally stood in front of the podium ready to announce my obvious presence, I scanned the crowd of eager faces before locking eyes with the man I loved.

  Were we both still scarred from what we’d been through? Yes, but the truth was we were healing together.

  All because of one amazing and very special dog.

  Max was resting at my feet, our constant companion for every moment.

  People adored our furry boy, flocking to see him almost as often as they came to have me sign a book. On this day, everything seemed even more special and I wasn’t certain why.

  Other than I knew Kage had something up his sleeve. I could always figure it out. When he did, his dimples showed, which was a rarity.

  I took a deep breath as Tasha introduced me.

  Today was going to be a very special day. I could feel it in my bones.

  At least two hours had passed, my hand cramping from the number of books I’d signed. I’d kissed babies, had dozens of pictures taken of me with and without Max with my adoring fans, and I’d consumed at least four cups of coffee.

  Right now, I was wired to the hilt.

  But I couldn’t be happier.

  With the last person in line leaving, I took a deep breath, lowering my head to the table.

  “You were amazing today,” Tasha told me. “The tour was phenomenal and you’ve already outsold your other recent bestseller.”

  I groaned from sheer exhaustion. “Groovy.” I lifted my head, still blurry-eyed from the experience.

  “Groovy? Does anyone say that any longer?”

  I laughed and gathered my things, Max finally rising as if from the dead. “Yes, they do in my world.”

  “Get some rest. You deserve it.”

  “I plan on it.” I suddenly realized my man was nowhere to be seen. With Max in tow, I headed to the front of the store. As soon as I was close to the double set of glass doors, I burst into smiles.

  There was a limousine waiting out front, the huge stretch vehicle not nearly as gorgeous as the man leaning against the back set of doors, his eyes covered in shades. He had his massive, muscular forearms crossing his chest and I took a few seconds to bask in his beauty.

  As soon as I walked outside, the driver was out of the huge vehicle, moving quickly toward one of the back doors. He even tipped his hat.

  “What are you doing?” I purred as I ran my fingers down Kage’s chest.

  “Taking you on an adventure.”

  “Which means you’re kidnapping me just like before.”

  “You bet. A man’s prerogative.”

  “Bad boy.”

  “You got it. Get in. We have a plane to catch. Well, actually a jet. My jet.”

  I took a deep breath before climbing inside, Max jumping in as happy as could be. When Kage was settled, I was the one to remove his sunglasses. “Just where are we going, wealthy and very sexy man?”

  He settled back onto the leather seat, immediately pulling a bottle of champagne from a cooler. “For me to know and you to learn. As long as you’re a very good girl.”

  “Which I’m not.”

  “Don’t I know it.” As he burst into laughter, I was at that point of swooning all over again.

  He just did that to me over and over again.

  I loved him. I adored our life. I was so happy Max had brought us together.

  And I couldn’t wait to see what the future brought.

  “So let me get this straight. You bought an entire tropical island?” I stared out at the Caribbean blue waters while digging my toes into the pearlescent white sand. The day was perfect. While the sun was waning in the sky, twilight approaching, the partial shadows couldn’t diminish the beauty or the amazement that he’d purchased an entire island.

  The interesting thing was that it was already a lively location with locals living in beautiful quaint houses and at least two hotels located in the most pristine spots. Island music was coming from somewhere behind us but we were on a very private beach, the incredible cabana-like house positioned on massive stilts in the water.

  I was shocked at how relaxed I felt, the moment as surreal as so much of our lives had already been.

  “I am a billionaire,” Kage said from behind me.

  As I tipped my head over my shoulder, noticing he was placing a blanket on the soft sand along with a picnic basket full of goodies, I realized just how much in love with the man I was.

  “Yes, you are. Several times over.”

  He grinned as he plopped down on the blanket, bending his knees and staring out at the water. Max was enjoying his first time at any beach, already frolicking in the gentle waves cresting alone the shoreline.

  “Come here, my woman.” He patted the blanket, giving me one of his infamous looks.

  “What if I don’t?”

  “Hmm… You’re going to make me chase you? You know I will.”

  Just being with him was amazing. Just being able to live our lives was so special.

  I gave him a coy look before sitting down. When I started to reach for the handles of the basket, he issued a tsking sound.

  “Not yet,” he growled. “Only good girls get rewards.”

  “Oh, yeah? What do bad girls get?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.” Without any hesitation or warning, he yanked me over his lap, immediately jerking up my dress. As he brought his hand down across my bottom, I fought and moaned.

  But secretly inside, I adored everything he did, including his usual rounds of discipline.

  He wasn’t soft-selling the discipline, spanking me long and hard. Max glanced over a couple of times but ignored his parents. He was enjoying himself immensely.

  I’d never thought I’d be a woman stalked and kidnapped. I also never thought it could happen a second time. But it had.

  Yet even with all the terror, the horrible nightmares, and the disturbing images that had played out in my mind so many times, if the horrible experience hadn’t occurred, I would never have met the man of my dreams.

  Maybe there was something to the concept of a silver lining.

  Whatever the case, I was in love with a larger-than-life man, someone who’d fought for me, protected me, and taught what love was really about.

  In my mind, I was the luckiest woman in the world.

  The End

  AFTERWORD

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