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A sudden fear gripped me. “Does my mom know about the abduction?”

“No. Your friends don’t either. I told the boys not to say anything. It’ll just worry them.”

“Thank you for thinking about everything.” I turned my face into his neck, inhaling his musky and masculine scent. No other scent comforted me more than his. “Where’s Olivia? Is she okay?”

“She’s recovering at a hospital near Levi’s house. He’s looking after her now.”

“Olivia drank the entire drink. She wasn’t herself. I’ll call to check up on her soon. What happened to the other women?”

“According to the news, only two women were rescued to safety. The others were shot and killed.”

Goosebumps erupted on my arms at the horror. Those evil people wanted to get rid of the evidence of their crimes.

“I tried hard not to succumb to the drowsiness. I was afraid if I fell asleep I wouldn’t wake up, you know?” My body shivered, reliving the fear. Our gazes met, and the shiver turned to warmth. “I kept you in my mind.”

He kissed me lightly, pulled back, and pain filled his eyes. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

A flicker of menace gleamed in his eyes like a sharpened blade ready to attack. But it softened when I placed a hand on his cheek. “Not your fault.”

“I should have been more protective of the person I care deeply about.”

Love.

Though he didn’t say, I felt it and saw it on his face. We were both heading toward something marvelous, life-changing, and frightening. I knew how he felt without the words, and I only wanted to hear them when he was ready.

I struggled with the same. Did I love him because he was the security I needed right now? Or did I love him because that was what my heart felt regardless of the circumstances? I had to be sure.

Despite that, my heart inflated with giddiness. I shouldn’t be feeling this after what I’d just experienced, but that was the power of love, wasn’t it? To put you in a state of bliss where darkness couldn’t touch you.

The Opals are Forever mission was closer to being fulfilled.

“What does ‘care deeply’ mean?” I drew hearts on his firm abs, loving the heat that emanated through his T-shirt.

A serious expression filled his face. Was he nervous? A smile curved on my lips as confirmation lit up my heart. This stunning warrior who normally portrayed confidence, intelligence, and fearlessness with ease was unsettled because ofme.

A rebellious mood surged in me, and I challenged, “Define it as only you can.”

“Fear of you being hurt was like a virus that attacked me unexpectedly. I wasn’t prepared for this foreign invasion. So my immune system kicked into gear, producing an enormous amount of white blood cells, antibodies, and platelets, fighting something that wasn’t physically found in my system. The anxiety I felt released stress hormones that told my body I was being attacked, but it was just my concern for you.”

His words made the trauma fade a little, and I smiled. “Cheesy. But perfect coming from you.”

“I’ve never been so scared, Kiera.” He brushed the hair from my face. “I haven’t slept well in days. You’re not leaving my sight ever again.”

Covering his hand with mine, I said, “I was scared too.” A memory surfaced, and I jumped off the bed searching for my shopping bag. “Where is it? Where’s the bag from Full Circle Apothecary?” I glanced around as another thought popped into my head. “Oh my God! I missed my dinner date. She probably thinks I’m some con artist. I have to call Morena to let her know.” I rushed out to the living room. “Where’s my phone?”

“Calm down,” he said, gesturing to the couch. “Sit. I’ll get the shopping bag from the chair that’s pushed in at your desk.”

I sat and waited.

He returned with the bag, handing it to me. “I informed my grandma about your abduction. She had planned on introducing us during dinner, but things got complicated.”

“Morena is your grandmother?” There had been so many surprises lately, I couldn’t keep up. I looked into his sage-colored eyes, and I could see the resemblance. There was an odd comfort that came from her, even though I didn’t know her. Some people just radiated warmth. “She was so knowledgeable about herbs. We’ll have to take her out to dinner to make it up to her.”

“She’d like that.” He sat down beside me, watching me take out the protective charms.

“Here.” I gave him the lucky charm. “Hang it in your car. But if you’re embarrassed by it, you can put it in your glove compartment. It doesn’t matter. I just want it to protect you.”

“Why should I be embarrassed?”