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He pulled up next to her car and knocked on the front door. There was no answer. He peered inside, but saw no sign of her. He circled the house. She wasn’t in the pool, but he remembered she’d mentioned that she wanted to go down to the beach for a swim. He smiled. Maybe he’d get to see her in a bikini.
Memories of the bikini she wore last night—the one he’d torn off her—stirred.
He headed onto the sand, hands on his hips, and sunglasses on his face. He walked along, scanning for her.
He saw a guy in a wetsuit and snorkeling mask, but no Hollis. That’s when he spotted her things—towel, flip flops.
He frowned and glanced at the water again.Where was Hollis?
That’s when he realized the guy in the wetsuit looked wrong. He was tense, partly crouched and bent over.
The water churned in front of him.
Fuck. Sawyer’s body tensed. He was holding someone down.
Hollis.
Sawyer ran, sprinting hard across the sand. “Hey!”
At his bellow, the man’s head whipped up. Sawyer couldn’t see much behind the mask.
“Let her go!”
The man dropped Hollis and sprinted out of the water. He ran down the beach away from Sawyer.
The soldier in him wanted to give chase, but Hollis was facedown in the water.
His brain stopped. He charged forward, splashing through knee-deep water to reach her. The next wave brought her closer and he grabbed her.
“Hollis!” He flipped her over.
She coughed.
Thank fuck. She coughed up more seawater, her hair sticking to her face. Her skin was pale.
“Baby.” He lifted her into his arms, then jogged up onto the sand.
He dropped to his knees, holding her close. He looked around again and saw no sign of her attacker. His jaw tightened.
This is my island, asshole. I will find you.
He smoothed Hollis’s hair back from her face. “Are you okay?”
She coughed again and nodded. Tiredly, she leaned against his chest. His uniform was wet, but he didn’t give a shit.
Her hands twisted in the fabric. “I’m okay. Now.” She made a small hiccupping sound. “Sawyer, that man—” Her voice cracked.
“He tried to drown you.”
A sob escaped her.
“Shh, you’re safe now.” He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. He’d fucking do whatever he needed to do, in order to keep her that way.
He lifted her and rose. He stopped, bent down and grabbed her things, then headed up to the house. He set her on a pool lounger while he unlocked the door. She started shivering, despite the warm afternoon.
He lifted her again.
“I can walk,” she said.