Chapter 25

Two hours earlier

Emily

The sensations were incredible.

As I spiraled up from the deepest part of the pool, breaking through the surface of the warm, salty water, I finally took a deep breath after holding it for what seemed like minutes while swimming. I hadn't believed the moment could be refreshing, bringing back a sense of peace. I was so glad I decided to allow myself to enjoy some time on the island.

All the while, I'd been thinking of nothing but the brooding, dangerous man who'd captured me, taking me to parts unknown. My stalker. My lover. And the most handsome man on the face of the earth.

It was still ridiculous to think of him as anything but a monster, but seeing the various sides of him, including how protective he was of me, had altered my opinion of him.

Slightly.

That didn't mean I'd fallen madly in love. I wasn't a fool, nor did I think leopards could change their spots, but sharing the horrible moments regarding his wife and son had allowed the window to his soul to crack wide open.

And I'd walked inside, tethering myself to him. It wasn't about fixing him or changing his mind about his profession. My intentions were merely to make him have a reason to enjoy life, to want to change from being a killer to something else.

Was it too much to ask that he return to being a healer?

That was a question that wouldn't be answered quickly or without some powerful thinking on his part. I did another few laps before the bottle of wine I'd opened the night before called my name. The late afternoon sun was warmer than it had been, the various colors streaking across the sky painting a beautiful picture of the estate's setting.

Styx had only been gone a couple of days, but it seemed like a lifetime. I was lonely, missing him, which told me one too many things such as I enjoyed spending time with him. I could easily get used to the life of luxury, at least for a little while. However, the music was in my blood like being a killer was in his.

I headed for the wide stairs, walking up slowly as I raked my hands through my wet hair. Instead of feeling tired, I felt invigorated. I grabbed a towel, drying off as I glanced around the pool area. The man had everything at his disposal, the area also comprised of an outdoor kitchen, spa, and an entertainment area where at least one hundred people could feel relaxed. And another bar. The man did enjoy his liquor.

Laughing, I grabbed the robe I'd brought out with me, tying the sash tightly before padding into the house and the kitchen. "Hello, Celine," I said, greeting her with a smile.

The young woman immediately brightened, her eyes twinkling. "Hello, Miss Martin."

"Please. Call me Emily."

"Yes, Miss Emily. I made a little dinner tonight. All you need to do is pop it into the oven for fifteen minutes. I hope you do not mind."

"You didn't need to do that."

"I take care of you when the master of the house is gone."

I'd easily been able to tell how much she adored Styx, which added to the crazy way I felt about him. "You like him, don't you, Celine?"

She nodded before her face flushed. "Not in that way!"

"Don't worry. You can like him any way you want. He is very handsome."

The sound she emitted was akin to a growl before she laughed, placing her hand across her mouth almost immediately. "As we say, hubba, hubba."

"Oh, I say that too."

We laughed together, which felt damn good after the events of the last week.

"May I say I have never seen Mr. Saint so happy."

She hadn't been with him when he'd been married, only coming into his employ after he'd quit his job and sequestered himself away. "You think so?"

Nodding, she grabbed a towel and wiped her hands. "Very much so. Is there anything else you need tonight?"

"Not a thing. Please go home and enjoy your evening."

"I will, Miss Emily. You do the same."

I watched her walk out before heading for the bottle of wine, pouring a hefty glass. I stood in the kitchen, noticing someone had brought in a massive bouquet of flowers. And I couldn't help but think about the white roses he'd brought me several times.

Including as my stalker.

My God. I was still losing my mind, but what a way to do so.

After taking another sip, I left the kitchen, milling through the house, doing nothing more than enjoying the art, listening to music, and counting the number of books he had on various bookshelves.

Rico had told me his boss was a prolific reader. Styx was eclectic as well, his tastes in literature running the gamut of history books to war novels, suspense thrillers and even a couple of romance titles. As I finished looking around, I realized I'd gone into every room. Correction, I'd been in every room but one.

Styx's private bedroom.

He hadn't told me I couldn't, but I'd gathered his private space held memories that weren't mine to intrude on. Why was it that I felt a need to look through his private things now? To try to get closer to him? To understand him even more? I wasn't certain but I found myself heading up to the third floor of the house, glancing over my shoulder as if fearful I'd be caught.

A bad girl.

The wine tasted good as well as brought me a crazy amount of courage. When I headed for the closed door at the end of the hall, I realized I was holding my breath. Maybe what I was doing was very wrong. Yes?

The naughty girl couldn't seem to help herself, turning the knob and walking inside. The bedroom was majestic, fit for a king with a massive ornate wood carved bed and a vibrant purple comforter. The artwork was just as evocative as the rest of the house but with a gentle and much more intimate flair.

His dresser and two nightstands were just as spectacular in design, likely worth thousands of dollars. I sat down on the bed for a few seconds, drinking in the atmosphere as I glanced around the room. Then I couldn't seem to help myself, moving to the closet after setting the glass of wine carefully down on his dresser.

As suspected, the majority of his suits were all in black or a deep charcoal. However, on the other side of his closet it appeared as if he'd recently purchased some new and very colorful clothing, including brightly printed casual shirts. Really? I grinned and moved to one of his suits, pulling up the sleeve, gathering a lingering scent of him.

The man was all male. That was certain.

I touched almost everything in the massive closet, including the drawer full of expensive watches before returning to the bedroom. Another quick glance at the door was followed by the very wicked girl inside of me opening one drawer then another.

Until my heart ceased to beat for a few seconds.

A single framed photograph was positioned on red velvet in the bottom drawer. My hands were shaking as I pulled the beautiful picture into my hands. After that, I couldn't seem to stop shaking. His wife and son were embodied in a happier time, the woman's face full of light and love as she stared up at the person taking the photograph.

Which I had no doubt was Styx.

My God. I was sick inside for him, my mind spinning once again.

"You shouldn't be in here."

The voice was gruffer than usual and I almost dropped the frame. "I'm sorry. I just…"

Rico walked further inside, leaning against the wall. He studied me before lowering his gaze to the photograph. "She was the light of his life. Until you came along. He's finally smiling again."

"You knew her?"

He glanced away, deep in thought. "I did. I was already working for the family then in a slightly different capacity."

"Was he a different man, happier?"

"He was very happy and adored little Josh with all his heart. He also seemed happy with work."

"And the tragedy?"

"It nearly broke him. I've never seen anyone slip into such darkness in my life. But things are different now. Because of you." He allowed a smile to cross his face. "He's not a good man by anyone's standards, but he's not a monster either."

"I'm not sure what to think any longer."

Rico was even more reflective. "Just know what he told you about the contract on your life was correct."

"Then why didn't he do it other than some crazy need to stalk and abduct me? Isn't he used to killing anyone he's paid to kill?"

He walked toward the bed, sitting down as if the man had a heavy weight on his shoulders. "No. Bad men who honestly, at least in my humble opinion, deserved the fate they received? Without a hesitation. And no, it was never about the money but about trying to appease the demons inside of him."

"Who were these men he killed?"

"Warlords who had no qualms about killing women and children, child traffickers, brutal mafia leaders, even two serial killers. He was hired by the CIA to track those two bastards down, although that will never be admitted in public."

"You're kidding me."

"Not in the least. Talon's services are in demand. He is damn good at what he does. He goes in and out of a country without being noticed, handling the job within hours."

"Does anyone know his real identity?"

"Other than his most trusted men and his two brothers? Maybe one or two people in the world. He made certain no one knew who he was. He wasn't necessarily proud of the path he'd chosen, Emily. And don't tell him I told you that. However, he was well aware his skills were needed when there was no other choice."

I was shocked at hearing Rico lay it out as if it was a normal profession. Serial killers? Human traffickers? I hadn't thought about what he'd done in that manner. "Do you think he can ever put the demons to rest?"

He shifted on the bed, able to lock eyes with mine, this time smiling as I continued to brush my finger across the photograph. "With your love and support, he can."

"I don't know if I can love him. I mean…" I thought about the reason he'd left the island. "Did he kill my father?"

"Is that what you wanted?"

I should say no immediately, but I couldn't. "I honestly don't know. Maybe I'm more like Styx than I wanted to admit, just like he told me."

Rico chuckled. "You're alike in the ugly pasts you were both forced to endure as well as the lust for enjoying life. I've witnessed the connection you two share. It's real. But you're no killer and I think Styx really isn't either. That's something else you maybe shouldn't tell him."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying he brought justice to your mother's murder without laying a finger on your father. He didn't need to."

"How is that possible?"

He reached into the pocket of his jacket, pulling out a few folded pieces of paper. "He has many connections, including the current chief of police, who was the detective handling your mother's unsolved murder. However, at the time, the evidence Chase Baxter brought to the prosecutor didn't seem to matter. But it does now. It would seem instead of killing your dad, Styx mentioned what he knew to a reporter in Boston. The rest is, as they say, history."

I glanced at the news article and wasn't certain how I felt. Or if I should feel anything. "What does this mean?" I knew what it meant. It meant my father was going to pay for his sins.

"Your father will be arrested and face a trial. Incidentally, Styx didn't kill anyone on this trip. He simply tossed a rock into the glass houses a couple families lived in and stood back, watching them shatter to the ground."

Maybe that's what he'd do with my gilded cage.

"That's because of your influence," Rico added.

I glanced into his eyes then down at the copy of the article before handing it back to him. "Thank you for sharing this with me."

"You're welcome." He stood and backed away. "I shouldn't tell you this because I know Styx wanted to surprise you but he's on his way home. He should land in about an hour. Just don't tell on me or he'll be pissed."

The rush of excitement coursing through me was crazy. I was hot and tingling all over.

And I needed a hot shower. Ugh.

"Thank you for the warning and I will never say a thing. However, I think I'll get freshened up." I placed the photograph in exactly the same position on the soft velvet, giving a nod of reverence to what I hoped would eventually be a beautiful memory and slowly closed the drawer. It was past time to move into the future.

The hot water felt good but not as much as the wild excitement that continued to grow from deep within my core. What I shared with Styx wasn't a fairytale, but I understand the man and his actions more than I had before. Was it wrong of me not to feel sadness that my father was going to pay for his horrible crimes?

I wasn't certain I cared.

What I did know was that I was looking forward to Styx being home and sharing some quality time with him. I refused to give up on my career, not for him or anyone, but I no longer felt as if I was completely trapped.

As I yanked the towel from the rack, drying myself off, I thought about what Rico had said, the honesty with which he spoke. At least the detective turned police chief had come through. Chase Baxter.

Why did that name sound so familiar?

As I wrapped the towel around me, wiping the mirror with my hand so I could see my reflection, I heard a rumble of thunder. Not another storm. God, I hated storms! And darkness. The sun had completely set during the fifteen minutes I was in the shower.

I grabbed deodorant and popped the top, lifting one arm then the other. Chase Baxter. I couldn't seem to get the name out of my mind. Why?

Hurrying, I applied some makeup, finally heading into the bedroom to grab a lovely dress. I selected a bright crimson frock, which seemed to be Styx's favorite color on me. I slipped into it, grabbing a matching brand-new thong from the drawer. I would refuse to allow the man to rip off another pair.

I couldn't help but feel much more lighthearted than I had in a very long time as I struggled to get one leg then the other in through the opening. I had no idea why I was suddenly so nervous.

Chase Baxter.

Goddamn it. Why couldn't I get that name out of my freaking mind?

As I returned to the bathroom to fix my hair, I was suddenly hit with the reason why.

Images floated into my mind, a memory of accidentally finding myself face to face with a buddy of my father's, running into him in the middle of the hallway. Where the bastard had groped me.

He'd shared a cigar and a couple of drinks with my father. Wait a minute. He wasn't the kind of man to be trusted in the least. Did Styx know that? It sure didn't seem like Rico did. I had to let the man know. I hurriedly brushed my still damp hair. It was going to need to do for now. As soon as I opened the door, I heard two things, both disconcerting.

Another rumble of thunder and even worse, what sounded like gunshots.

My hearing had to be playing tricks on me.

What if it wasn't?

No. Not possible. Rico would have known. Plus, how could anyone get on the island with such ease? Flying overhead might be one thing but beating the security system? No way. I rushed down a portion of the stairs until I was halfway down the last set leading to the first floor. Something told me to stop and listen.

I heard nothing. No sounds. That wasn't normal.

"Rico?"

There was no answer.

"John? Mark?" They were two other soldiers assigned to the house.

Nothing.

A shiver of terror raced through me. Something was terribly wrong. I could feel it in my gut. Very cautiously I made my way down the stairs, still holding onto the railing as I continued to listen for any sounds.

A flash of lightning lit up the hallway to the side from the open blinds in every room and I found myself jumping from fright and surprise.

After calming my nerves somewhat, I moved from room to room, not seeing anything out of place.

Now I was back standing in front of the door, wringing my hands. I had to know what was going on and find Rico so he could warn Styx. When I walked outside, the whipping wind and darkness kept me from seeing anything. At least there was no rain as of yet. I scanned the area still seeing nothing.

I had to locate one of the guards. At least some of the exterior lights were on. I took out jogging, wincing every time I heard a noise made by Mother Nature. By the time I was a hundred yards out, my nerves kicked in even more.

Something was very wrong.

"Rico! John!" My cries were met with nothing but the rustle of tree limbs from the increasing wind. I rushed to the left and completely away from the main portion of the estate, fighting the angry nerves furrowing in my stomach.

Pop! Pop!

I stopped in my tracks, spinning around toward the sound. I couldn't stop shaking. I heard what sounded like shouts seconds later and bounded toward the noise only to chastise myself for being stupid. It was obvious the island was under attack.

After taking a few more steps, the darkness became more oppressive since the exterior lights weren't nearly as bright where I was standing. The moment I rushed forward again, I tripped over something, falling smack onto my face. Pain tore through me as I shot forward. When I finally stopped moving, I pressed my scraped palms against the ground, dirt and rocks digging into my hands.

The moment I lifted my body by a few inches, a flash of lightning lit up not just the night sky but also the very dead body of a soldier on the ground. I let out a sharp, involuntary cry, fighting the waves of terror sweeping through me.

This was insane, the moment exactly like what had happened the night I was taken. Only this time, the man I'd once though a monster was the good guy. I heard footsteps, men racing behind me. It sounded like the house was being invaded.

A strange groan came from the edge of the forest, another flash of lightning highlighting Rico as he stumbled toward me, grabbing my arms. "Thank God, you're alright."

"What's happening?" I asked, shaking violently as the rain started to fall.

He took a deep breath as additional shots were fired, pulling me behind him. As soon as I glanced around his arm, I screeched seeing two darkly clothed and hooded men standing just off to the side.

"Get down!" Rico yelled, firing off shot after shot.

I dropped to the ground, skidding a second time, throwing my head over my shoulder to try to continue watching the new round of horror unfolding. He had an assault rifle in his hand, powering off shots, adding to the eerie glow. More gunshots were fired from several directions.

"Fuck. They've claimed the house." He pulled me up by my arm, forcing me to race into the coverage of the forest. Only when we'd gone at least twenty yards into the thick foliage did he stop.

"Chase Baxter. He's one of my father's friends." I struggled to say.

"Fuck me. The satellite is down, the fucking place surrounded. You need to listen to me. Go deeper into the woods and hide. They're after you."

"How the hell did they get on this island?"

"Helicopters. Military grade. Under the radar."

"Because it's the police chief behind the attack." The rain started coming down harder, making it almost impossible to see anything around us. I wasn't certain if I'd ever felt so terrified in my life.

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

"Fuck," he hissed again. "Yeah, likely so. I need to gather the remaining men and knock them down. Since you can't be in the house and in the panic room, you're going to need to stay calm and focused and hide. Can you do that?"

"In the forest?"

"Just stay in close proximity. Go straight back. You should be okay. I'll come get you."

"I can do that. What about Styx? Will he be okay?" I didn't need a flash of lightning to tell me Rico was worried.

"He's tough. Don't worry about him. Just stay safe." He squeezed my arms just as another round of gunfire pounded through the air.

I waited only a few seconds before taking off running. I had no flashlight, only what was left of the twilight barely managing to peek in through the trees. I would fucking feel my way if I needed to.

The seconds ticked by so fucking slowly, turning into agonizing minutes, but finally the sound of the gunfire lessened until it ceased to exist. Or maybe it was nothing more than wishful thinking. I stopped long enough to catch my breath, debating whether or not to try to find my way back. No. I had to follow Rico's orders. I had a feeling my life depended on it.

Thankfully, I only tripped once as I ventured even deeper into the forest, managing to catch myself before I took another tumble. Now, exhausted, soaked from the rain, I pinned myself against a large tree, still listening for any sounds. I could swear I heard an approaching plane. A smile crossed my face. That had to be Styx. Thank God he was here. He would come and save me. I knew he would.

Now I was putting him into a heroic category. I laughed bitterly, hating the way I continued to shake. At least another five, maybe ten minutes passed. Was I hearing additional gunfire?

I was ready to slump down, staying right where I was when an explosion rocked the area. Yelping, I stumbled forward, gasping for air.

No. No. No!

What if his plane had been blown up? I couldn't lose him. No. I just…

Crack.

The sound came from somewhere close. Another crack. It was from downed limbs being stepped on. I was certain of what I was hearing. Someone was close. Too close. Without so much as thinking about any consequences, I took off running, knowing my life depended on getting away. I tried not to become hysterical, but it was impossible to keep from shrieking when limbs slapped me in the face.

Or when I fell, the pain as jarring as it had been before. Please, God. Let me get out of this alive.

I wasn't certain if prayer was going to help but it was the only control I had. Other than continuing my path.

Crack. Crack.

Goddamn it. Someone was chasing me. And my instinct told me I didn't want to find out who it was.

So I kept running until my legs hurt, my lungs burning. I had to stop. I just had to. I clung to another tree, feeling my way until a flash of powerful light allowed me to catch a glimpse of a clearing. Maybe I was coming out of the forest. Sickening excitement tore through me as I rushed forward once again.

Only this time, I tripped on a fallen obstruction of some kind, flying through the air. As I tumbled down, I rolled and pitched.

And fell.

Down into a dark abyss.

When I tried to stand, my legs threatening to give out on me, I was grateful for another flash of Mother Nature's powerful light. Until I realized where I'd fallen.

Directly into one of the horrible, deep pits created for intruders.