Two weeks had passed since Bella had been kidnapped and taken across the country. She was happy to be back in Texas, though every sound still made her jump, and the splint on her hand annoyed her. The doctor said she could remove it in another week. The swelling had gone down, and in its place, her hand turned black and blue.

Ava’s heels clicked across the hardwood floor. She wrapped Bella in a hug and handed her a glass of wine. “Congrats. We sold it for ten thousand over asking, and all cash. Ten-day closing, and you can start your next flip.”

Excitement coursed through Bella’s veins. She had sat down with Cole and Ian and decided to go into business with them. This last flip had almost been the death of her. First, Jake would have killed her if Ian hadn’t shown up when he had. Then she’d had to deal with the crazy brother and sister.

Tina had survived the gunshot and was serving time for attempted murder. The Italian, Vezio Astor, was the head of the Astor crime family. She hadn’t recognized him at the house, but later, when they said his name, she knew who he was. The FBI had tried to arrest Vezio many times, but he had a high-ranking judge in his pocket.

Vezio wouldn’t be able to escape prison this time. Because he’d used his house to kidnap and hold Bella against her will, the FBI was able to search the house, and they’d found documentation of his drug deals.

Tex had turned over all the information on the offshore accounts to the FBI. They were able to funnel money back to families, and the FBI had increased Mr. Ainsworth’s sentence. Bella no longer had to deal with her past. In the back of her mind, she felt bad for Ryan. He’d been an ass to kidnap her, but she’d never wanted anyone to die.

Ava handed her the contract.

“It doesn’t seem real yet.” Bella couldn’t believe the house was sold.

Ava leaned against the gray wall. “You did an amazing job with this house. It was one of the easiest sales I’ve had. But next time, don’t open the door for anyone trying to buy the house. I’ll let you know if someone is coming. I thought we’d lost you, Bella.” Tears formed in Ava’s eyes.

Bella’s eyes started to tear up as well. She sniffled. “I didn’t mean to get kidnapped.”

Ava laughed. “I don’t think most people try to get kidnapped. I’m happy you’re going to start to work with Ian and Cole on your next projects. You both should come over next weekend, and have Cole come too. I think we need to set him up with someone.”

“I’ll ask Ian.” Bella leaned in and was about to give her friend a hug goodbye when a knock on the front door made her heart rate skyrocket. She still was afraid when people came to the door. Ian hadn’t left her side until that day, when he’d gone to the courthouse with Cole to purchase their next flip.

As soon as she was done with Ava, Bella wanted to head over to the house that Ian and Cole planned to purchase at the auction that day. She pulled from Ava’s embrace, walked toward the door, and gripped the pink switchblade Ian had given her when they got back to Texas. She opened the door.

Ian stood on the steps with a bouquet. He swept her into a hug. “Congratulations. I wanted to bring you flowers.”

Ava slid by her on the way out the door and gave her a thumbs-up.

“Why aren’t you with Cole?” she asked. “Did we not get the house?”

Ian captured her lips with a kiss. She was so lost in his touch that she forgot all about her questions until he pulled back with a smirk on his face. “Of course we got the house. Cole went over to check it out. You and I are heading west to spend the next ten days in a cabin on the river.”

Bella liked the idea of getting away.

Ian couldn’t wait to strip Bella down the second they walked through the doors of the cabin. She squeaked when he picked her up and pressed her back against the wall. During the two-hour drive, he’d watched her dress ride up her legs.

She immediately wrapped her legs around his waist and clawed at his belt. He guided her dress over her head. The second he had her stripped down, he pressed his lips to hers. Pure need coursed through his body. Ever since she’d been taken from him, he constantly needed her touch.

“You need to move in with me,” Ian said between kisses.

Bella’s hooded eyes opened. “Last time I checked, you are supposed to ask the woman to move in with you, not demand it.”

“I don’t want there to be a chance for you to say no.” Ian ran his hands through her velvety folds. She was ready for him. He couldn’t hold back any longer. Ian pushed into her hard and fast. The need to possess her was overwhelming.

Bella threw her head back against the door and let out a moan. Her channel clenched against his dick, causing him to move faster. She grabbed his hair and pulled him in. The kiss was raw and full of passion.

When he reached between them and pinched her nub, Bella screamed his name, and he felt her tighten around him. Ian couldn’t hold on much longer. He gripped her ass with both hands and thrust into her. With one final thrust, he came. They were both panting from the intense passion. Ian leaned his head against her. He didn’t want to pull out and lose the connection.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“You’ll move in with me?” Ian wanted to come home every night and have Bella in his arms. He knew it was too early to ask her to marry him, but if it were up to him, he would take her to the courthouse right then and make her his.

“I want a ring one day.”

Ian stopped stroking her back. He walked over to the couch with Bella in his arms. The cabin out in the woods would be the perfect way to spend the weekend. Bella agreed to live with him, and she wanted a ring.

Ian dragged his hands along the curve of her breast. “You will be my wife one day, Bella. I didn’t want to ask this soon and scare you off.”

“When you’re ready to ask, I’ll say yes.”

“Good. So you’ll move in when we get back.” He kissed her on the forehead. “And shortly, I will ask you to marry me.”

Ian wouldn’t wait long to ask Bella to marry him. A plan started to formulate in his mind. Bella had been upset that she hadn’t gotten to meet Wolf and his team. They’d vacated Vezio’s house before Ian had called the cops. Cole and Ian would have loved to stay in San Diego for a few more days, but the longer Cole kept the plane, the more he would owe his family. If Cole hadn’t gotten the jet to take them to San Diego, they wouldn’t have made it in time, and Bella would be dead. Ian vowed to help Cole with any favor his family demanded.

In a couple of months, Ian planned to take Bella back to San Diego so she could meet the men who’d helped save her. He also planned to make her his wife on the beach.

“Bella, I love you.”

Tears formed in Bella’s eyes, and Ian panicked that he said something wrong.

“I love you too, Ian,” Bella whispered.

Ian wiped the tear from her cheeks. “Why are you crying?”

“I’m happy.”

“Me too, love.”