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He knew love when she was in his arms. He recognized it in her eyes even though she hadn’t said the words yet. Hell, neither had he.

That would change the minute they were reunited.

He felt a spurt of energy when he spotted the boardwalk with the Pelican Pub sign. Ignoring his wobbly legs, he moved as fast as possible over the dry, wallowing sand. At the boardwalk, he used the handrails to propel him onward. Almost to the road.

“Ellington?”

His head swiveled toward the sound of his name. There in the parking lot, he saw Travis Upton, Max’s former partner. Two other men were with him. One he recognized from training times at the gym, but he didn’t know the man’s name. The other was David Frasier, the Brookwell Police lieutenant’s oldest son. They’d gotten into some trouble back in the day.

“You look rough,” Travis said. “What’s going on?”

“Where’s Trina?”

“Harper assumed you were together,” David said. “We were thinking y’all might’ve stood us up, so we gave her and Knox the table for date night.”

He shook his head and stopped quickly. The motion made his vision blur. “Gallo,” he said. “Set us up. Dumped me in the tide. He must’ve taken Trina.”

“What the hell?” Travis looked at the man Rhett didn’t know.

“He was at the airport. I watched him go through security.”

“I put an airtag in his luggage before he left the Inn,” David said. He pulled out his phone. “The bag’s in Charlotte.”

Travis swore and turned to David, barking out orders.

The stranger stuck out his hand. “Logan Harris. Never had the pleasure to meet you, but I’ve stayed at your hotel downtown a few times.”

When Travis finished with David, Logan cut him off. “I know what to do.” Car keys in his hand, he jogged off.

“What will he do?”

“Get things rolling at the airport.” Travis slipped his arm under Rhett’s shoulders. “If Gallo got out of the main terminal before boarding, Logan will find him. Come on. David and Knox will be queuing up the security footage.”

“I was attacked on the beach,” Rhett said.

“We’ve gotta start somewhere. Reed has good cameras around here.” He circled his finger in the air to encompass the whole building. “If Gallo came by, we’ll spot him.”

“As long as we hurry. I’m not sure how much time we have.”

Travis took Rhett around the back so they wouldn’t draw any more attention. “Do you remember anything?”

“Not a lot,” Rhett said. “Thought the text was from Trina. Pretty sure he clocked me from behind and left me to drown. Clears his path to Trina.”

Travis swore.

“That sums it up,” Rhett agreed.

As soon as they stepped inside, Rhett saw his sister near the office. “What’s going on,” she demanded, rushing forward. “Youlook like hell.”

“Feel worse,” he admitted. “Got jumped on the beach, that’s all. The guys are helping me sort it out.”

She shook her head. “What else? Don’t lie.”

Rhett drew her into the tiny office, already crowed over-capacity with Travis, Knox, David, and the Pelican’s owner, Reed. “Anything yet?” Travis asked.

Knox pulled Harper to his side. “Gallo attacked Rhett down on the beach,” he murmured. “And we’re pretty sure he took Trina.”

Naturally, his sister didn’t panic. She swore. “What can I do?”