Page 47 of Stone (Claimed and Protected #3)

T hree weeks later…

Stone

“Goddamn, you did a killer run.” Kekoa was standing on the beach as I headed from the water, ready to hand me a towel. Cheers erupted from all sides from spectators. I took a few seconds to stop and wave, including to the reporters who were capturing everything at the event.

I had an entire brigade traveling with me to Oahu for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave International, or as locals called it, The Eddie. The competition was a big deal, timing everything. With the waves reaching over forty feet and weather conditions pristine, today was an excellent day to ride the waves.

“How’d you think I did?” I asked, noticing the good doctor was just coming off his ride. I shook water from my hair and studied the rest of the competition, which was stiff.

“Bitchin’, man,” Kekoa laughed. “You did great. I think you stand a chance of winning the whole damn thing.”

I snorted and ripped the towel from his hands. “I don’t know about that. My form has been shit.”

“I told you that you needed to practice more, but no, you wanted to sit all alone and feel sorry for yourself.”

Snorting, I headed to grab a bottle of water while I waited for scores. “I’m not feeling sorry for myself.”

“Like hell you aren’t,” Kekoa grumbled in his big voice as he’d been doing a lot lately. Granted, he’d taken more tours than I had while I’d been practicing.

Only I’d had no desire to surf. I had other things on my mind.

Like telling the vice president that he was going to resign, or I’d hold a press conference. I’d also been forced to spend time with the CIA for what they called debriefings. At least Matis was gone. They’d seemed grateful.

I’d been shocked when Bradford had done the right thing, his resignation sending shockwaves throughout the entire world.

What the fuck did I care? I wanted him to pay for his sins, but in a way, he’d do that for the rest of his miserable life.

Even after I’d saved his ass and he’d confessed, Dani had reiterated she wanted nothing to do with the man.

Still, the entire situation, the ugly memories and thoughts about the past burned my ass.

“Have you talked to Dani?” he asked.

“Nah. I’m giving her some space.”

“You’re such a hardheaded asshole.”

I tossed the towel around my neck and sucked down some water.

“She deserves this, buddy. You know that. Have you heard from her?” I asked the question rather sheepishly.

He’d given her his phone number when he’d come with us to the airport.

Maybe I’d hoped she’d call me, but we’d agreed that she needed time to process and to paint.

The painting she’d done before she left had been framed and was hanging in my living room. Every day it was a reminder of what I’d found and lost.

All over again.

But I was happy I’d managed to convince her to take time for herself and her art. If anyone deserved it, she did.

That didn’t mean I wasn’t torn up inside.

“Nah. Like you said. She’s probably just basking in the glory since she’s so damn good.”

Nodding, I took a deep breath, doing what I could to shove aside every image I had of her beautiful face. And luscious body. And amazing smile. And…

Christ.

“Well, chin up. I have a surprise for you.” Kekoa’s grin was huge.

“What? You know I hate surprises.”

He shrugged and walked away.

I grabbed his arm. “Nope. You’re not walking away from me. What did you do?”

“You have a visitor.” He nodded toward the group of spectators and for a few seconds, I was certain Dani was going to walk through the crowd.

“A visitor? Here?”

Maybe my face gave away what I was thinking when Kekoa clapped me on the back. “Not who you’re thinking, but I think you’ll be happy anyway.”

I scanned the area as we walked closer to the group, finally realizing what he was talking about.

My son walked through the crowd toward me.

He looked entirely different than he had when he’d left weeks before.

Wearing swim trunks in bright orange and a muscle tee shirt, and his hair tousled from the wind, he looked like a local.

Especially since he had a surfboard under his arm.

“Please tell me you did not allow him to challenge these waves. They’re fucking too big and deadly for him. He’s never surfed before. I’ll be pissed.”

“Calm the fuck down,” Kekoa told me. “From what he said, Tyler has been taking a couple lessons. Still a beginner, but he wanted to surprise you. Don’t worry. I wouldn’t let him on the waves.”

“Do you have everyone’s number in that phone of yours?”

“Hey, I do what I gotta do. Sue me. The guys and I chipped in for his airfare, but maybe you could put him up for a couple nights at your place once this is over.” He arched his brow and I had to laugh.

“You crazy asshole. Yeah, I think I can do that.” I had no idea how to feel, yet seeing my son meant the world to me. “And thank you.”

“No thanks needed, bro. Maybe you’ll be in a better mood.”

Tyler came closer, smiling more than he did when he was in Hawaii before. I threw out my hand for a shake, shocked when he instigated a hug.

“How have you been?” I asked.

“Not bad. I saw you out there. You’re amazing.” He pulled back, noticing I was looking at the board. “I thought maybe we could find some time to head out to the waves.”

“Not these. They’re too big for you.”

He laughed. “I get it. Baby waves.”

We both laughed. “Something like that. So, are you able to stay for a couple days?”

“Yeah, I can do that.”

“Good. Yeah, that’s really good.” We stood a little awkwardly as we waited for the scores. “Have you talked to… Dani?”

“Once. She called me after her first gallery showing. She did well. She sold four pieces on the first night.”

“Ah. I’m glad to hear it.” I was jealous he knew more about Dani’s success than I did.

“You miss her,” Tyler said.

“More than anything, Ty. But I’m glad you’re here.”

He grinned. “Me too.”

While we waited for the scores, my thoughts drifted to Dani, wondering how she was doing. My heart hadn’t stopped aching since she’d left, but I also recognized holding her hostage under the best of circumstances wasn’t good for anyone.

“So, I was thinking,” Tyler said later. “Maybe I could spend the summer in Lanai. I mean if you wouldn’t mind. Mom and Dad said it would be fine, but it was up to you.”

I lifted my sunglasses, easily able to nod. “You bet it’s fine. As I told you before, you’ll always have a home with me. And with your… And with Dani.”

“Hey, they’re getting ready to post the scores. Come on. It’s neck and neck with the good doctor.”

Kekoa was excited. Meanwhile, I searched the crowd one last time just in case.

Just. In. Case.

Daniella

“What are you looking at?” Colette grilled as she walked closer. In her hand were two champagne flutes.

I took one but continued staring at the screen on my phone. “I found the surfing competition they have every year in Oahu.”

“Surfing competition? Does this have anything to do with the love of your life?”

Exhaling, I finally lifted my head, studying the crowd of people who’d come to the gallery showing. We were due to leave for Barcelona in two days, where I’d spend three weeks. The showings in Paris had gone well, the time allowing me to clean up my apartment and paint to my heart’s desire.

My recent paintings reflected my time spent in Hawaii, which had been a surprising hit. For me, depicting the days I’d spent in paradise had been bittersweet yet cathartic. Maybe healing.

“Maybe,” I told her.

“You are so transparent. Have you talked to Stone?”

“No. We agreed not to for a while.” I returned my gaze to the screen once again. When I squealed, half the guests at the showing turned their heads in my direction.

“What’s wrong?” Colette asked.

“Nothing is wrong. He won. He won the competition. Can you believe it?” I lifted my flute of champagne, forcing her to clink glasses. “Here. Look.”

She glanced at the tiny screen, shaking her head as she laughed. “You’ve sold more art in the last two weeks than you have in two years, yet seeing a man you’re desperately trying to stay away from win a competition makes you happy. Hmmm…”

“What does that mean?”

“It means you’re not happy. Look around you.”

I did as she asked but didn’t want to take my eyes off the screen. To see him winning made my heart flutter. “What do you mean?”

“Come on, Dani. It’s me you’re talking to.

You’ve been pining away for that man since you returned.

You won’t call him, which I can’t understand why.

You constantly look at your phone and you’re miserable.

You’re distant and have no zest for life.

Yes, I understand you’re still healing from the abduction and what you learned about your father.

Your son. You have a lot to deal with and you’re trying to do that all alone. ”

“I’m not alone. I have you.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “You know what I mean. Stone saved your life. He’s the father of your child. And more important, he’s the man you’ve been in love with since you were eighteen. You are not happy here.”

“Being here and doing this is what I wanted. Or I thought so anyway.” My voice did not sound convincing.

“It’s okay to want something completely different. You’re allowed to change your mind.”

I glanced back at the phone, shocked to see the young man standing beside Stone as he was swarmed with reporters. Tingles swept through me, a jolt of electricity that I hadn’t experienced since I left. “Look. That’s my son.” I’d told her everything. I’d also cried on Colette’s shoulder.

“That’s Tyler?” Her face lit up.

“Isn’t he handsome?”

“You know what? He looks just like his father.”

I nodded. “Just like Stone did when I fell in love with him all those years ago.”

She gave me one of her hard looks. “Then you know what you need to do.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re not happy. This isn’t home any longer. No amount of success means anything when you’re miserable. You have every right to be happy.”

“I am…” I laughed. “You’re right. I just don’t know if it’s the right thing to do.”

“Ask yourself this as a test,” she pushed. “Do you think about Stone all the time?”

“Yes.”

“Do you dream about him at night?”

My laugh was more nervous than before. “Yes, I do.”

“Do you miss your son?”

“Of course I do, but he has a life. I’m not going to interfere.”

“And he’s standing beside his father and the man you love at a surfing competition while you’re in a gallery in Paris wishing you were there.”

Groaning, I finally allowed the screen to go to black. “All true.”

“Then hear me. You know what you need to do. Tell Francois how much you appreciated the opportunity, but you have the rest of your life to live.”

“I need to think about it. That’s drastic. Maybe reckless.”

Colette winked. “Some of the best things in life are.”

She had a point. “I need to make a phone call before I decide.”

“Okay. Whatever you say.” She rolled her eyes and I took a sip of champagne.

More decisions.

I’d told my father I never wanted to see him again and I meant it. Yet I had a solid ache for family. My family. The one that had been stolen from me. My father was trying to make amends. His resignation had been a welcome surprise much like Stone saving his life had been.

Although I shouldn’t think that way since Stone was a true hero through and through. Maybe a reluctant one, but a hero nonetheless.

That meant everything to me.

I stared at my phone and smiled. Then I dialed the number.