Page 24 of Stone (Claimed and Protected #3)

D aniella

Ocean breezes.

Waves gently banking against a pearlescent beach.

The scent of flowers permeating my senses.

Everything was perfect, yet it wasn’t.

The burner phone purchased days before caught my attention, the flash on the screen a reminder I was still playing a dangerous game.

I’d called my father when I’d known I wouldn’t reach him, stoic in my words and tone of voice while allowing him to know I was perfectly fine and hadn’t been injured.

I’d left no indication of my plans or any information about Stone.

It simply wasn’t his business to know anything about my life.

He trapped me into a nightmare long ago, but as I’d continued to remind myself, I wasn’t that girl any longer.

She’d grown and learned from her mistakes.

Would they haunt me for the rest of my life?

Of course they would, but that didn’t mean I’d easily surrender to my father’s demands.

Those days were over.

“Thank God you’re alright,” Colette said, issuing a deep moan.

Thankfully, Stone had allowed me to contact my best friend so at least she’d know that I was safe. “I’m fine. How are things?”

“Your apartment. God, Daniella. It’s a wreck. I did what I could so when you came back it wasn’t a disaster, but I don’t know what you want to keep or throw away.”

I cringed, forced to relive the abduction if only for a few seconds. “Thank you, but stop worrying. I’ll take care of everything.”

“When are you coming back?”

“I don’t know. It’s still dangerous. Has anything odd happened, any mysterious people at the store?”

“No. The press aren’t providing any details either. Oh, I did get your mail. I’m sorry. I opened a few pieces. I do have some good news.”

“What’s that?” Right now, I could use some good news.

“Francois Lambert is asking you to do a show.” She squealed since she knew how important the news would be.

Francois was a major player in the art world. He owned several galleries including in Paris, Barcelona, and Milan. Obtaining his nod meant you became a sensation overnight. Why was I suddenly uncertain I was happy?

When I said nothing, Colette sighed. “You don’t sound thrilled.”

“I am. It’s just… complicated.” I wasn’t in the position to tell her anything, including the identity of the man who’d rescued me. Keeping my rescuers confidential had been one of the rules before Stone would agree to letting me call.

“Well, you’ll need to tell him something in about a week.”

“Plenty of time. I should be home by then.”

“I’m so glad you’re safe and I miss having you around.”

We chatted for a few more minutes before I ended the call. The strange thing was that I didn’t feel as homesick as I thought I would. I put the phone on the table holding my paints and stared out at the ocean. The day was beautiful, truly a paradise.

Feeling Stone’s presence caused a hitch in my breath. He’d purposely avoided me for three days. Three days of silence. Of not knowing what he was thinking. Of dreading he would experience another nightmare. Three days of being locked in the house.

And three days of extreme loneliness.

And worry.

After his admittance, it seemed he truly wanted me to be afraid of him. That would never happen. But I had no clue how to express my feelings in a way he’d accept.

I tried to continue pretending I was working even as my skin vibrated from electricity.

“Is your friend okay?” he asked.

“She’s fine. Don’t worry. I didn’t tell her anything except that I was okay.” And I had no intention of telling him about Francois’ offer.

“Good girl. How’s your leg?” He’d dressed my wound every day, taking good care to ensure there was no infection. He’d been so gentle, so loving, yet the spark that had been rekindled seemed snuffed out. Nothing could make me any more despondent than knowing how much pain he was in.

I dangled my leg for him to see. “Now, it’s itching.”

“That’s a good sign.”

“Does that mean I can go swimming?” I used the voice he used to call my pleading-for-chocolate tone, which had been the truth.

“No. Not yet.”

“Party pooper.” I threw him a look over my shoulder and longed to have him wrap his arms around me.

“Uh-huh. Someone needs to keep you in line. Can I see what you’ve been working on?” Hearing the gruffness in his voice sent a wave of electricity shooting down my spine.

My reaction was to immediately shift directly in front of the canvas. “It’s not finished yet.”

“I don’t mind. I’d love to see what you’re working on. You’ve been out here for hours.”

Out on his deck, the only safe location outside the four walls and roof. He was trying to be lighter than normal, his personality having taken a dark turn over the last few days.

This was day four of being in Hawaii and while I hadn’t wanted to say it, I’d felt very much like a prisoner. Even if it was one with a picturesque view of paradise, I was still locked inside my mind.

Stone’s mandate to stay close to the house had caught me off guard.

He hadn’t tried to pass it off as protecting my injured leg, but that my safety was at risk.

I don’t know why I’d been surprised, especially after seeing his vast collection of weapons and having him explain his security system. State of the art and then some.

I’d heard the concern in his voice and seen the increased anxiety every time he allowed his gaze to shift in my direction. Which hadn’t been often. Yes, we’d agreed that the passion we’d shared shouldn’t happen again, but I hadn’t understood that also meant losing him as a friend.

Maybe we never were friends.

Maybe we had nothing in common.

His admittance of the horrors of his job had been the icing on the cake, snapping the tenuous hold we’d had on our emotions.

“I don’t like anyone to see my work before it’s finished.”

“Oh, come on. Just one peek.” He moved closer, which forced me to drive my palms against his chest. The touch was stirring and we both seemed shocked at the current.

I instantly curled my fingers, tipping my head down to the deck since I knew he could see the canvas.

The very blank canvas.

He sucked in his breath but said nothing.

“Don’t criticize me. I haven’t found the inspiration, at least not yet. I just… I don’t know why. It’s gorgeous here.” My voice faded into the breeze. I was doing nothing more than making excuses.

Scratching his head, he seemed taken aback. “I thought you liked the ocean.”

“I love the ocean. Don’t you remember when we went to Virginia Beach, all I wanted to do was spend time in the water? You had to drag me out the one afternoon when the thunderstorm was rolling in.”

“Yeah,” he said, laughing. “You refused even though lightning crashed against the water only a mile or so out. I had to toss you over my shoulder to keep you from electrocuting yourself.”

The memory was bittersweet. How many awkward moments had we experienced over the last few days? Too many to keep track of. “Do you remember you went and got pizza and a six-pack of Coke and we sat on the balcony during the storm?”

“I remember that. Later, you fell asleep in my arms with the doors still open.”

“One of the best nights of sleep I’ve ever had.”

The time had been stolen, another lie I’d told my father. I’d said I’d gone to the beach with girlfriends, which was true. What I hadn’t told him was that I’d gone specifically to spend time with Stone.

He backed away, heading to the door.

“Where are you going?” I don’t know why I bothered asking. He didn’t need to keep track of his whereabouts with me.

“Gotta tour I need to guide. Only a couple hours and I’ll be back.”

“Oh.” I wish you wouldn’t go.

With his hand on the doorjamb, his shoulders slumped. “Look, maybe we’ll take a ride later. I know you feel cooped up. I’ll show you some of the prettiest areas on the island. There’s this incredible location that will give you some inspiration for your paintings.”

“I’d like that.”

He fisted and flexed his hand.

We were two entirely different people with no understanding of what to say to each other.

I watched him walk into the house and as I’d felt for years, loneliness crept in. I hadn’t truly embraced just how much our relationship had shaped me.

As I stared down at my palette of colors, I thought about what I wanted to paint. I had to put something on the canvas. Grabbing my brush, I dabbed the tip into bright fuchsia, yet nothing came to mind. Out of frustration, I swiped a long line down the perfectly white surface.

Then I laughed. There were reasons for my lack of inspiration. I left everything where it was, venturing into the house. The front door was just closing. I hesitated, but the awkwardness between us needed to stop. Silence wasn’t doing any good for either one of us.

As soon as I opened the door, I leaned against it.

Stone appeared more animated than he’d been other than when gunning down enemy forces.

While I couldn’t hear what was being said, I could swear he was barking orders.

The man he was talking to instantly noticed me. Whoever he was seemed to be fighting a grin. And Stone continued to barrage him with questions.

Suddenly, Stone stiffened and I heard a distinct growl. Now the larger man laughed.

“Island Time Tours?” I asked innocently enough, seeing the extremely colorful old Blazer, the detail reminding me of something I’d catch in a Jimmy Buffett video.

I resisted laughing although there was an amused lilt in my voice.

I’d snagged my phone on the way to the door and when I took a picture, the hulking mass of a man issued a wide grin, acting like he was going to pose.

Stone had a different baseball hat on backwards, the words ‘The Captain’ keeping me smiling.

The big Hawaiian standing with him leaned over, nodding several times as he walked closer.

When Stone didn’t react right away, I folded my arms and studied the man who’d come to take Stone on some cruise, his laid-back look similar to Stone’s appearance the last few days.

Another surprise.