Page 79 of Storm Warning
“You said the door was jammed?” he asked, his voice tense.
She nodded. “The guard, Brooks, said it appeared someone had tampered with it. Then there was the golf cart.” She described the story of the golf cart accident. “The other guard said he'd check it for tampering. Zach, who would do something like this?”
His jaw tightened, and he stared down for a moment before meeting her gaze again, his expression troubled. “We’re not sure yet, but I have my suspicions. Logic says the same people causing trouble for the resort might be behind this. They may be targeting you to get to Nick.”
A shiver ran down Kate’s spine. The thought of being a pawn in some twisted game unnerved her. "Why? What do they want?”
Zach sighed with obvious frustration. “I wish we knew. My best guess right now is they see you as a vulnerability, a way to get to him.”
A pang of guilt zinged through her. She didn’t want to be a burden to anyone, but now, she was. “What can we do?”
Zach’s expression softened. “First, we need to keep you safe. I’ll post some of my men outside your suite. Nick and I will handle the rest. We’ll find out who’s behind this and make sure they can’t hurt you again.”
Kate nodded, a sense of relief washing over her. She trusted Zach and Nick to protect her. “Thank you, Zach. I appreciate your help.”
He gave her a reassuring smile. “That’s what family does, Kate. And you’re family now.”
As Zach finished speaking, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway, and Nick burst into the room, his eyes filled with concern and a hint of fear as he ran toward Kate. “Kate, God, are you alright?”
She jumped up and rushed into his arms, needing the warmth and strength of his embrace. “Yes, I’m okay. Zach was just telling me about the security measures he’s putting in place.”
Nick looked at Zach, gratitude shining in his eyes. “Thank you, Zach. I owe you.”
“Never. I’ll leave you two alone now.”
Zach left the room, and Nick turned his attention back to her. He cupped her face in his hands, his eyes searching hers. “I was so worried about you, Kate. When you told me what happened, I... I can’t lose you. I’ll lock you in here if I have to.”
Kate’s heart swelled with emotion at the genuine concern and caring in Nick’s eyes, and it filled her with warmth and security. “I’m okay, Nick. Really. Although I may never step foot in a sauna again.”
Nick’s expression softened. “Fair enough,” and he leaned in to kiss her, tenderly, evocative of a love and caring that Kate had never experienced. It promised protection, support, and a future together.
When they pulled apart, Kate held Nick’s eyes, whichmirrored her own feelings. She understood then that she was cherished. And for the first time in her life, she felt worthy of that love.
“I won’t let anything happen to you, Kate,” Nick said, his voice adamant. “We’ll find out who’s behind this, and we’ll stop them. Together.”
Chapter 42
Emergence
Kate wrappedher arms around herself, standing on the porch of her bedroom, gazing out at the waves lapping against the shore. The rhythmic sound of the water soothed, providing the perfect backdrop for the turmoil of thoughts swirling in her mind. The salt-tinged breeze caressed her skin, raising goosebumps along her bare arms, a physical echo of the shivers that had raced through her body only hours before.
Nick had just returned to his own suite to work. He had refused to leave until Kate reassured him she was fine. Even now, the ghost of his fingers brushed her cheek, the warmth of his palm cupped her face as he’d studied her with those intense eyes, searching for any hint of unease.
Her heart skipped a beat at the memory of the night before—Nick’s skin pressed to hers, warm and solid. The intensity of their connection had left her trembling; an overwhelming sense of rightness had permeated every touch, every kiss, every whispered word. It had been a night unlike any other. Her body still hummed with the memory, muscles deliciously sore in ways that made her blush even now.
Waking up with him this morning had been amazing withthe weight of his arm draped across her waist, the steady rhythm of his breathing against her neck, the way the dawn light had gilded his features—she had lain there for long minutes, afraid to move, afraid to break the spell.
Then, Nick had rushed to her side after she was locked in the sauna, his concern and care evident. The panic in his voice when he’d called her name, the way his hands shook as he’d checked her over, the fierce protectiveness in his embrace—it had been so genuine, so raw.
But here she stood, still uncertain, still fighting old hurts and doubts.
She took a deep breath, inhaling the salty air, trying to calm the chaos within. The ocean breeze filled her lungs, sharp and clean, but it did nothing to untangle the knot of anxiety sitting heavily in her chest. The familiar doubts kept creeping in, casting shadows over the memories of their shared intimacy. Insecurities had plagued her for as long as she could remember. The ingrained belief that she was undeserving of love reared its ugly head, threatening to consume her.
Kate leaned against the railing, her grip tightening until her knuckles turned white. The painted wood bit into her palms, grounding her as her thoughts tried to spiral. She closed her eyes, trying to push away the negative thoughts, but they persisted, insidious whispers echoing through her mind.
How could someone like Nick—so wealthy, so charismatic, so effortlessly capable—want her? How could she, with her quiet life and introverted nature, ever be enough for him? And now, she'd lost her job! The thought sent a fresh wave of nausea rolling through her stomach.
She opened her eyes to the vast expanse of the sea, a metaphor for the chasm within herself. The water stretched toward the horizon, beautiful and terrible in its immensity. Thetranquility of the scene before her contrasted with the turmoil inside, a stark reminder of the dichotomy within—the desire to embrace life fully and the fear of being hurt, of being left behind.