Page 59 of Depths of Destruction

"Did they hurt her?"

"They groped her and tore her blouse."

He scrubs his face. "Bastards."

"Yep."

"I'll go to Omoa and talk to your friend. I can take the boat. Unless you're planning on staying in Honduras?"

"No. We need to get out of Central America."

His eyes turn to slits. "To where?"

"My first thought is Europe."

"Europe?" he says as if it's a horrible idea.

"I know it well. It's farther from the U.S., and Naomi won't be recognized there."

"You're going to take her away from everything she knows if you go there."

"Everything or you?" I blurt out.

Crap. Shut your mouth.

Darien crosses his arms and scowls. "You've known her for two days? Or three?"

"Doesn't matter."

"How convenient," he scoffs.

"Why don't you spit out whatever point you're trying to make?"

"I've known Naomi for twenty-two years. She'll get bored with you."

"Is that what happened between you two? You couldn't hold her attention?"

He snorts. "You think you can just sweep her off to Europe and she'll stay with you? The only thing she's ever been committed to is her career—it's what she's obsessed over. You aren't from here, but she's not a small fish. She's well-known. When she speaks, people listen. If there's an issue, the public looks to her to fill them in. You haven't even known her a week. When this is over, and she's able to come back, you won't find her hesitating. Naomi will run as fast as she can. There's nothing you can offer her to make her stay, either."

Then I'll come back with her if that is what she wants.

What if she does get bored and doesn't want me to come with her?

I can't let this guy get in my head.

"Want to know what I don't get?" I snarl.

"What?"

"It's clear to me you're in love with her. So why aren't you with her?"

Besides the fact she's not in love with you.

"Her job. It's always going to be what she wants."

"I don't get it. Why couldn't she have her career and you?"

"If you haven't noticed, I'm down here, and she lives in Belize City. She can't have a news career in Punta Gorda."