Page 18 of Stone (Claimed and Protected #3)

D aniella

Fear had a strange effect on people. I’d read about people who’d been abducted and suddenly rescued from their captors. They often felt almost euphoric until the rush of adrenaline came crashing down.

My muscles were already tingling and I knew it was only a matter of time before my mind processed the latest round of danger Stone and his friends had faced.

Without hesitation.

I took a deep breath, blinking the horizon into focus. Meanwhile, Stone remained rigid, constantly checking the instruments. When his phone rang again, I studied his pensive profile. He’d been irritated since before we’d left for the airport.

“You’ve ignored two phone calls in the last two hours,” I said quietly as I looked out the windshield. I’d finally gotten over the heavy dose of acrophobia from being in a smaller plane.

As he’d done the majority of the time, he remained silent. The fact we were having difficulty talking to each other was a testament to the fact we were different people.

“Please tell me at least you know that Kage and Maddox are okay as well as that odd Frenchman.”

He snickered. “All three made it through just fine. After cleaning up the debris, they went out for a drink afterwards.”

“You have some interesting if not scary friends. Very colorful.” At least I could laugh. All in a day’s work.

His grin widened. “Colorful. I’ll let them know.”

“So why not answer the phone?”

“Because I don’t want to hear what they have to say.” Stone was adamant.

“You mean my dad?”

“Him and my old commander. He was the one who asked me to come to Paris and rescue you.”

“Why?”

“That I’m unsure of.”

I shifted in my seat. We’d stopped for fuel once and spent the night somewhere in Texas or New Mexico. I still had no clue where we were going. But as long as it wasn’t to Washington, I was fine. I wasn’t going to tell Stone about the way I felt, but I’d go anywhere with him.

My thoughts drifted to the wee morning hours when we’d remained under the warm covers. An ache remained in my heart.

We’d had that talk, the one where we agreed that what had happened the night before couldn’t happen again. My life was in Paris and after this crisis was over, I had every intention of returning home.

Home.

I’d made France my home even though I’d continued to feel like a transplant. There’d been no real life other than my painting. My dream. Only things hadn’t gone according to plans.

Still, that didn’t mean I was ready to upend everything for my father or anyone else. I knew the man worried about me and I did love him since he was my dad, but he’d pushed too hard and, in the end, had driven me away.

“Are you going to get into trouble for not bringing me to DC?”

His snort was followed by a roll of his eyes. “I retired from the military years ago and I certainly will never work for your father. They can’t do shit. Plus, you’re a free woman. You can go anywhere you want.”

“As long as it’s with your permission. Right?”

“Did you happen to notice the SUV that was blown up yesterday?” His grin was wry.

“Oh, that. Just a little danger.”

“Do you live recklessly in Paris? Do you enjoy a shot of danger with your espresso?”

“I live a quiet, simple life. Now, you have me curious. Why did you agree to risk your life for me? That’s living dangerously,” I threw out.

“You’re really asking me that?”

“Yes. You don’t know me any longer. You didn’t need to fly halfway across the world. My dad has every member of law enforcement as well as members of every military service in his back pocket. Why you?”

He threw me a look, his eyebrows furrowed like they always were when he hated whatever challenge I’d tossed at him. “Because I have special skills.”

“You mean with weapons.”

“That and we were trained for reconnaissance. My unit was considered the best of the best. We took our work seriously and saved thousands of lives. I’m very proud of what my unit accomplished over the years.”

“I don’t need your resume, Stone. I knew that you’d become the best soldier possible. That doesn’t answer my question. Why disrupt your life to save me?” I don’t know what I was looking for. Maybe I was grasping at straws, hoping that we could make up for lost time.

The dream was sweet, but sadly unrealistic.

“Because I had to, Dani. Do you honestly think I would just stand by and watch you get killed? If you do, then you really don’t know me at all.”

“I guess I don’t. You’ve changed significantly.”

“How so?”

“You’re sad, or maybe the better word is haunted. I can tell how close you are with Kage and Maddox, yet the three of you are full of stories and despair.”

“The three of us have our reasons. Being a Navy SEAL wasn’t all about glory and heroism. We were performing a job while witnessing the worst of mankind.”

“I can only imagine what you suffered. Maybe you’ll tell me more about your military career at some point.”

When he shifted in his seat, I could tell he was uncomfortable even thinking about talking about himself. “Maybe. But there are some stories I don’t need to relive, Dani. There are some atrocities that I just don’t need to be reminded of ever again.”

His statement was riddled with pain. As large as life as his personality had seemed while saving my life, I sensed the prison he’d placed himself in years before.

He wasn’t the boy I remembered. I honestly wasn’t certain if there was much of that eager young man in the person who was in front of me today.

That both saddened and excited me. Which wasn’t fair.

I settled more into the seat, taking a sip of water as I stared out at the sky. “It would be nice to know where we’re going. That is only fair since you’ve basically kidnapped me and are holding me hostage.”

“You think so?” At least I’d put another grin on his face.

“Yep. Not that you ever liked playing fair.”

Reaching over, he managed to tickle my ribs. Just like he used to do when we were on a date. “I play fair.”

“No, you play rough.”

“You haven’t seen anything like what I can do. I’m a dangerous man. Remember?”

“You’ve certainly proven that. Well, in case you haven’t noticed, I like it rough.” I think we both sensed the conversation was heading in the wrong direction. I looked away even as heat rose on my face.

That dreaded moment of awkward silence settled between us.

“So you run a touring company? What exactly does that mean?”

He shifted again and glanced at his instruments. “Well, maybe you’ll get a better understanding in just about three minutes.”

“Why?”

“You never had any patience whatsoever.”

“I’ve always had patience. Tell me.”

“Case in point,” he said, laughing. “Just wait. Look out the side window.”

“At what? Clouds?”

He grumbled under his breath as he shifted the lever he was holding onto. Suddenly, I realized we were descending. As before, my stomach dropped along with the altitude.

“Ugh. I hate this part,” I admitted.

“It’ll all be worth it.”

I took several deep breaths as my stomach roiled. When the clouds started to thin out, I finally looked out the window like he’d instructed. What was I seeing below? Something blue. Seconds later, I squealed like a kid on Christmas morning. “Oh, my God. That’s gorgeous.”

“I thought you’d like it. See the island just off to the right?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Lanai. That’s where I live and run an on-again, off-again charter boat for tourists who come to Hawaii.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You live in Hawaii?”

“Don’t sound so shocked. You know I always loved the ocean.”

“I remember. You took me to Virginia Beach that one time and all you wanted to do was cruise the boardwalk.”

“All you wanted to do was cruise the tacky tourist shops.”

We both laughed and I stared down at the water again as he descended even lower. “This is just beautiful. Have your parents visited?”

When he didn’t answer right away, I tipped my head to look at him.

“They passed away a few years ago.”

“Oh, Stone. I had no idea. I’m so sorry. I know that might be a little too late, but I adored your parents.”

“Not too late at all. I miss them. You really haven’t been home in a long time, have you?”

“No. Not for years. Mom finally stopped asking. She keeps telling me she’ll visit Paris, but I don’t think Dad wants her to.”

“And your mom always does what your father tells her to do.” He groaned after making the statement. “That was shitty of me. Family is important, Dani. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t stand your father, but he’s still your dad and your mom is trying hard not to make things more difficult for you.”

I fidgeted in my seat. “I know she is. But sometimes I get so angry with Dad. He’s so set in his ways. He never forgave me for not attending Georgetown.”

“Well, you followed your dream. Maybe over a drink later you’ll tell me all about living in London.” He studied the instruments again before pulling the small microphone to his mouth in preparation of talking to the tower.

My muscles tensed. London. Another pipe dream. “Sure. When are you going to tell me what my father said to you that night?”

“What night?”

“Don’t do that, Stone. The last night I saw you.”

“It’s not worth talking about.” He concentrated on the gauges while also pulling down the small microphone and talking to the tower. He was as frustrated as I was.

“I’m sorry I didn’t come to see you off.”

“Eh. You had more important things to do.”

“That’s not—” I was interrupted before I could tell him the truth. If I could. I could hear muffled words coming through his earphones. We were on a fast approach and I rubbed my eyes. Every part of me was aching.

I continued enjoying the view, marveling at the waves rolling against the shoreline even as the memories continued to prick at my mind.

There were some mountains, but mostly rolling hills and green as far as the eye could see.

I was shocked how picturesque the entire horizon truly was, the water and foliage dazzling my eyes.

“We’ll be down in just a few minutes,” he said and banked to the right.

“By the way, it’s important to me what we shared all those years ago.

” Was I looking for affirmation? Was I trying to rekindle the past?

I had no idea. As soon as I looked at him, his face pinched.

The subject was off limits. With our obvious difficulty talking about the past and our miscommunication, any subject from when we were younger would be delicate.

He shook his head. “Let the past go, Dani. That was twenty years ago. I’ve moved on. You’ve moved on.”

“Yes, I can tell you have.” I studied the water again, noticing movement. “Oh, my God. Is that a whale?”

As he leaned over, crowding my space, another rise of heat flushed my system. I held my breath, longing for him to touch me.

“Humpback whales. They show up often. There are dolphins too.”

“Please tell me we can go snorkeling.” I had to remind myself this wasn’t some glorious vacation.

“We’ll see. Why don’t we get you settled first. Then you need to at least tell your dad you’re alive.”

“He knows I’m alive.” My voice couldn’t have been any more flat-lined.

“Yes, he does. You should also try and remember that this might not be over. And there is no confirmation Matis was caught in the attack.”

“What does he want?” As the sight of the small airport came into view, I wasn’t certain Stone was going to answer.

The truth was that he didn’t owe me anything.

The fact he’d brought me to his home on a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean was admirable and going well above what he’d signed on for.

No matter what our history, my presence had to be an inconvenience.

He said nothing, only corresponding with the tower, finally touching down in one of the smoothest landings I’d ever experienced.

As he slowed his speed, rolling toward the tarmac, he finally removed his headset and looked over. “I don’t know what Matis wants, Dani, and that pisses me off. What my gut tells me is that the reason for your kidnapping wasn’t solely about money.”

“This is all about my father and his politics.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. Not my place to say or get in the middle of.” As he pulled to a stop, I felt a sense of relief. “What I will do is keep you safe and you’re welcome to stay as long as you want, but you won’t leave until Matis is in custody or killed. So get used to it.”

“It just occurred to me that I have no clothes. I have nothing personal, including my phone or passport.”

“We’ll get you a burner phone and whatever you need. You should know your place in Paris was trashed.”

I studied him as the reality began to sink in. “I’ll never feel safe again. Will I?”

“Don’t say that. Matis will be caught. Until he is, we’ll figure out how to make you comfortable.”

“While the island is beautiful, it looks a little… rural.”

As he finally cut the engine, he allowed me to see the amused look on his face. “This might be a small island with few paved roads, but I think we can figure something out as far as something for you to wear. In fact, we’ll pick up a few things on the way back to the house.”

“A little cabin in the woods?” As soon as he unfastened his seatbelt and rose to his feet, he leaned over, placing his hands on either armrest.

Very slowly he lowered his head and I was certain he was going to kiss me. I even tilted my head, maybe hoping he would.

“I guess you’re going to need to wait to find out. Remember, Dani. Patience.” He tweaked my nose instead as he laughed.

Oh, the man was as infuriating as he was handsome.

A dangerous combination.