Page 28 of Island Guardian (Brookwell Island #7)

Chapter Nineteen

Walking into the lobby of the Inn, Trina did a double take. She spun around, aiming an accusing look at her husband. “You’ve been busy.”

He held up his hands in surrender. “Blame Maria.”

The surprise gave way to joy as her staff applauded them and started blowing bubbles.

Wedding bell garlands and swag dripped from every possible surface.

The normal floral arrangements had been replaced by blue hydrangeas and white roses, to match her bridal bouquet.

Above the reception desk, a big sign welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Ellington.

“You guys!” Trina swiped away a happy tear as they made the rounds.

Maria gave her a big hug. “We’re so happy for you. For both of you.” She gathered Rhett into the hug as well. “We can take your luggage upstairs,” she offered. “Lila brought over a cake and everyone’s dying to have a bite.”

The pop-up party was nothing short of amazing. She introduced Rhett to everyone as they cut and served cake. She was so happy with the warm welcome, she didn’t even notice Luca until he walked right up to her, the next person in line for a slice of cake.

He smiled, but there was a hard glint in his eyes that made her uneasy. She didn’t need to worry, Rhett was right by her side.

“What is this?”

“We eloped,” Rhett said with way too much glee. “Won’t you congratulate us?”

“I’d like to speak with Trina alone.”

“No,” they said in unison.

“I’m sure you’d like to get home,” Rhett said. “We’re happy to arrange for a car to the airport.”

“Trina,” Luca pleaded. “A word?”

Trina plopped a slice of cake on his plate. “Thank you for joining our party, Mr. Gallo. Please enjoy yourself.”

He moved along, but from the corner of her eye, she saw him dump the cake in a potted plant. The man was a menace. She managed to keep the string of curses inside her head. And out of pure joy for the man she did marry, she kissed Rhett soundly on the lips.

He grinned in complete understanding.

When the impromptu reception line died down about an hour later, Rhett shared a text message with her: Gallo at the airport

“How long ago?” she asked.

“Thirty minutes.”

“Good riddance.” Now that things were calmer, she took his hand and guided him toward the front desk, moving straight back into the office and out of sight. “We need to get you a key so you can unpack and settle in.”

“I’m good.”

“I know you want to check in with your team.”

He waved his phone. “This’ll do.” He braced his arms on the desk while she pulled a lockbox out of the bottom drawer. “Afraid I’ll start making efficiency suggestions?”

“You wouldn’t dare,” she said, playing along. She opened the lockbox, found the key in a small brown envelope, and handed it over.

“Thank you.”

“If you don’t mind, I would like to check on a few things before the shift changes.”

“I get it.” He closed the office door and pulled her up and into his arms. “I’m greedy,” he said against her lips.

She wasn’t sure how long they kissed, only that she didn’t want to stop. “Rhett.” Her hands came to a rest over his heart.

“I know.” He wound a curl of her hair around his fingertips. “Gallo’s gone, so I don’t feel the need to hover quite so much. Bummer too. I was hoping to get a good punch in.”

She appreciated the sentiment. “Thank you for being willing to shadow me in a good way. And thanks for being willing to punch the smug right off his face.”

“Anytime.” His phone chimed. “Knox and the guys are at the Pelican. I can come pick you up when you’re ready?”

She grinned at him. “Harper already told me what time to meet her outside.”

He seemed relieved that she wouldn’t be traveling alone, even though Luca had left. She pushed up on her toes and gave him one last kiss. “I’ll see you soon.”

But time got away from her. She messaged Harper and told her to go on without her. She needed a few minutes to herself to change clothes and freshen up.

A notecard was tucked into the door. Not Rhett’s handwriting, but the message was from him: When you get to the Pelican, come meet me on the beach first. I have one more surprise.

He must’ve called from the pub and had someone at the desk bring it up. The man just wouldn’t quit with the romantic gestures. Still using her work phone, she sent him a text message and hurried out to meet her husband where their adventure had begun.

Logically, she knew the island wasn’t actually more colorful than when she’d left, but her newfound happiness painted everything in a brighter light.

Golden evening sunlight coated the sky, trees, and the beach as she walked along the road toward the Pelican Pub.

Nearby, the waves rolled up over the sand in a soothing rhythm and seagulls called to one another.

On cue, pelicans glided by, heading home to roost.

As she neared the beach access across the street from the pub, she recognized a few cars in the lot and knew a wonderful evening with friends awaited them. Yes, Harper was bound to give them a little grief for eloping, but it would be worth it.

Crossing the dunes, she looked around, surprised Rhett wasn’t right there waiting with his sexy smile and irresistible embrace.

“Rhett?” She looked up and down the beach as she moved closer to the incoming tide line. She didn’t see him anywhere. Something felt wrong in the pit of her stomach and she told herself she was being silly. A wife for barely a day and already worried over her husband’s whereabouts.

Rhett wasn’t like that. He was honorable. He gave his word and kept it. She really needed to tell him she was in love with him. Not because he’d helped, but because her heart was his. And would be forever.

She walked a bit past the point where he’d found her so upset over Luca and saw something in the sand at the water’s edge. Not something. A person.

“Oh, no!” She rushed forward, willing it to be anyone but Rhett, despite the familiar shirt and khaki shorts. “Rhett!”

He was face down in the incoming tide. “Oh, no.” She called his name, repeating it like a chant as she tried to rouse him.

What had happened between sending the message and now? Had he passed out? He was too young for a heart attack. Too healthy for any major physical concern. She fell to her knees beside him. Running her hands along his neck and shoulders down his back, calling his name the whole time.

She couldn’t see any wounds, but face down in the surf like this, the incoming foaming edge of the water coasted right into his mouth. She had to move him. Hoping there wasn’t an injury she couldn’t see, she pushed and shoved until he was on his back.

“Rhett, honey. Wake up. Rhett!” She patted his face, gently at first then with a little more force. She checked for a pulse. Still there, weak but steady. His breathing was shallow, but he was alive.

She moved around, determined to drag him back from the water.

With his clothes soaked through and his muscular build, she fell on her backside.

Getting up, she tried again, fell again.

Torn between running for help and leaving him there, staying won out.

She wouldn’t leave him to drown. She’d call for help and stay right here.

She fished her phone out of her pocket and with trembling hands she pushed the emergency icon on the work phone.

Before anyone answered, strong arms banded around her body, coiling around her waist and breasts like a snake, drawing so tightly she couldn’t breathe. A strong hand latched onto her throat, squeezing until she saw stars.

Luca. No one else would do this.

“Hello, my darling.”

Those horrible arms hauled her back from Rhett’s lifeless form. He was still too close to the water. If he didn’t wake up, he could drown. She kicked and twisted to no avail.

“Say goodbye to him, Trina. You’re my bride now. ”

The tension around her waist eased and she wriggled, trying to scream. Something damp covered her mouth and nose. Fabric that smelled wrong. She tried to scream but could only gurgle. Every effort to escape made her weaker.

Luca had drugged her.

She heard him muttering about proper weddings and the life he deserved. And then she blacked out.

Rhett sputtered as water hit the side of his face, rolling into his ear and across his cheek, then back again. Saltwater sprayed across his lips. He turned away and spit the water out of his mouth into the sand.

He tried to sit up only to have the world spin out from under him.

His entire body was one big ache, starting with his head.

His mouth was dry and his vision blurry.

He rubbed at his eyes and looked around.

How the hell did he get out here on the beach?

The last thing he remembered was a text from Trina.

She’d asked him to meet her for a sunset walk on the beach before they met with friends.

“Trina!”

Twilight was spreading across the sky. The first stars were already sparkling in the sky. “What the hell?”

Everything inside him went cold. He reached for his phone but it was gone. He either dropped it in the water or…

Gallo.

Yes, he was supposedly at the airport, but this kind of setup had that bastard’s fingerprints all over it.

Rhett had a shadowy memory of being shoved down into the wet sand. A heavy hand on his head and a knee on his back.

Gallo did this. Lured him out here, attacked him, and then what? Did it matter? The only reason was Trina .

He had to find help. Make sure she was all right. He shoved himself to his feet. Staggered as the world pitched and sloped away. Not cool. Hauling in deep breaths, he struggled to form a plan as he worked his way back to the pub.

First, confirm Trina was safe. Then he could figure out how Gallo managed this. Rhett couldn’t let Gallo get within shouting distance of his wife. As soon as he found Trina, they would file a restraining order. Blacklist Gallo’s passport. Whatever it took to keep her safe.

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.