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“Here! In the back!”

He swore in relief at the sound of her voice, strong and furious. She didn’t sound drugged or seriously injured as he’d feared. He raced toward the sounds from the back of the plane, finding her bound, hand and foot behind the cargo net. Another wave of fury swelled up and he nearly went back to punch the Italian bastard again.

“You’re alive!” she cried, trying to get closer to him. Tears rolled. “Thank God. I thought…”

“You saved me.” Bits and pieces were coming back. She’d been there, trying to rouse him. “I’m alive because of you.” He paused to kiss her and then went to work on the bindings.

“Where is he?” Her eyes were still full of fear—for both of them.

“Down and out. Knox and the others have him.” His breath backed up in his lungs. “I’ll kill him.” He repeated it over and over as struggled to release her. The bastard didn’t deserve to take another breath after stalking and terrorizing his wife.

“No.” Trina countered every threat. “I need you.You. Here with me.”

Finally, she was free. “Always. I’m here.” He stroked her wrists, gently restoring the blood flow and checking for injuries. “Didhe hurt you?”

“Not really.”

He cupped her face, kissing away her tears. “You’ll never see him again.”

She shivered. “Get me out of here.”

He helped her to her feet, supporting her as they inched toward the front of the plane. He checked to make sure Gallo was gone and he could keep his word. Seeing the others had him boxed into a corner, hands cuffed with zip ties, Rhett brought her to the door.

“Here we go,” he said, guiding her down the stairs. He went out first, ready to catch her if she stumbled. “Take your time.”

Trina couldn’t keep her hands to herself, holding Rhett’s shoulder down the steps, gripping his arm as he led her into the hangar, and away from the others gathered near the wide opening. Everything felt too big, too uncertain. Except him. He was her rock.

She clung to him, her face buried in his shirt. “Don’t let go.”

“Not a chance.” He guided her toward a couch, and sitting down, he pulled her into his arms.

She was so grateful to be held close. His heart beat under her cheek, strong and steady. He didn’t move from her, didn’t nudge her aside, letting several other men deal with Luca. She recognized Knox and Travis, but not the other two. No doubt, they were also with the Guardian Agency.

“I’m glad you have good friends.”

“The best.” His breath shuddered in and out. “They picked up your trail right away.”

“Good.” She’d find a way to thank them later. “Part of the extra securityyou arranged?”

“You knew?”

She nodded, her cheek rubbing against his shirt. Gradually, the fear gripping her chest eased and the reality of their survival sank in. Sirens swirled around them and she couldn’t give it much of her attention. She was too busy breathing him in, loving him.

She’d been so scared and come far too close to losing him. Never again. Never. She had to be brave enough to tell him. Somehow it seemed harder than telling him about her past. “Rhett?”

His hand stroked up and down her spine, smoothing away the last of her fears. “Yes?”

“I want a marriage.” She eased back, just far enough to meet his gaze. “This marriage. I love you. Not for saving me. Well, yes for saving me, of course. But so much more.”

He kissed her softly. “I love you, too.” His gaze roamed over her face. “Every heartbeat is for you. It started on our wedding day,” he admitted. “You’re my heart, Trina. My life. No divorce for us. I want forever with you.”

“One condition.” She felt her smile wobble, but she persevered. She caught his face between her hands. “Never call me ‘my darling’.”

“That’s a promise I can keep.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Rhett hadno trouble with the promise he’d made to Trina before they left the hangar, but as the official legalities dragged a bit, he struggled to accept Gallo’s fate. He had to accept he would always want another knock-out punch.