Tom hadn’t even fully opened his door when he pressed her number and put the phone to his ear. Expecting Emily to answer on the first ring, he walked in and stopped by his bed, picking up the remote. He had some games to check.

But she didn’t answer, and she didn’t answer on ring four either. Unease bubbled in his gut. Throwing down the remote, he rushed out of the room, out the door, and back to the stairs. Had that guy from earlier followed them? Dang, he hadn’t even checked for tails.

Flinging open the door to her floor, he rushed to her room and heard her yell out, “Tom!”

His heart pounded like a hammer inside of his chest. Dang! He went back to the stairwell and rushed down, knowing he could beat the elevator. When he got to the first floor, he flung the door back and raced to the elevator.

But it was stalled on the second floor.

“Crap!” He didn’t know if the guy was trying to subvert him. Probably. Taking a chance, he raced up to the second floor and to the elevator while calling the police. Good thing he’d put that number on speed dial.

Now, the elevator was moving back to level one. He cursed and rushed back down, telling the operator that answered what had happened.

The elevator opened, and no one was there.

Going into action mode, Tom raced toward the front desk, spotting the security guard they’d seen earlier. “Someone took her!” he yelled, frantically looking around the lobby.

The guard rushed to him and began calling the other staff, explaining that a woman had been taken and what the woman and the assailant looked like.

Fear stoked the fires inside of him. No, he couldn’t lose her. At this point, he could only do something he’d done twice before, when he’d been under siege in Afghanistan and when he’d been standing by his mother’s bedside at the hospital and pleading for her life. He bowed his head and prayed.

It was a short prayer. “Lord, help me find her. Please.”

Flashing his eyes opened, he felt inspired to run out the front of the lobby to the parking lot. He did, and just in the nick of time, he saw Emily with her hands tied behind her back. The guy was trying to push her into a car, but Emily kicked him in the knee.

“Ems!” Tom rushed to the parking lot.

She swiveled and ran toward him. Alarm washed over her face. “He has a gun!”

Tom gritted his teeth. In a snap judgment call, he didn’t stop.

The guy had recovered from the kick and was running out of the resort, turning back to shoot.

Tom was too fast; he tackled him, noting it wasn’t hard. He pushed the guy to his back and straddled him, putting his hands over his head.

The sound of sirens split the air.

Tom kneed the guy in the gut. “You’re gonna pay.”

Less than an hour later, Emily lay enfolded in Tom’s arms. The police had reported the guy had been stalking several women, but it looked like she’d been the first he’d actually come after.

Tom was on the top of the covers, and she rested beneath them. They were in Tom’s room, and he was running his hand from her head to the tips of her fingers, the way someone would soothe an upset animal.

“I can’t believe it,” she whispered. “You knew right where I was.”

Bringing her closer, he pushed his face into her neck. “I can. I said a prayer in the lobby when I couldn’t find you.”

She turned back to him, and her eyes widened. “You said a prayer?”

“Yes.” He blinked. “And God told me.”

Chills washed over her.

He squeezed her. “Because it’s our time, Ems. Now. We are meant to be.”

She believed it. Tears ran down her face. She turned in his arms and leaned into his chest. “Tom, I was so scared.”

He kissed the side of her face. “I was too.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

She glanced up at him. “It’s Christmas Eve tomorrow.”

“Married by Christmas.” He grinned.

She sighed and traced a finger gently down his face from his eyes to his nose to his mouth. “How many times did we say that to each other?”

He shrugged. “A lot.”

Her eyes fluttered. “It was always the plan.”

Tom nodded and kissed her head. “Sleep, Ems. And maybe all our dreams will come true.”

“They already have.” She wanted this. She wanted this forever. Gripping him tighter, she knew they’d make it work.

The next morning, Emily was still sleeping, but there was something Tom had to do. After making a few texts to his brothers to let them know he wouldn’t be coming for Christmas, he quietly slipped out of the door. The hotel security stood next to the door, and they nodded at each other. Tom rushed for the elevators.

His phone buzzed. Pulling it out, he answered it. “Sup, G?”

“Hey,” Grant said. “You weren’t kidding when you said the house was a dump.”

Tom snorted. “You’re welcome for the hospitality.”

“I didn’t say I didn’t enjoy staying.”

“Are you gone now?”

Grant grunted. “Back in L.A., and the woman I’m meant for won’t speak to me.”

Tom laughed. “Sounds about right.”

“What’s going on? I saw your text about not being at Zane’s for Christmas. Dude, you’re going to get it.”

“I don’t care, ’cause …” Nervous angst wove through him. “I’m on my way to find a ring for Emily Times!”

“What?” Grant shouted in sudden excitement. “Are you kidding me?”

Tom beamed, practically buzzing with a cocktail of happiness and hope and things he hadn’t dared feel in a long time. “So—”

“How are you going to buy her the ring?”

“What? I don’t know. Finance it. I’m going to start small, and then we’ll upgrade as we go.”

“No, you’re not,” Grant said quickly. “Venmoing you now.”

Tom’s phone buzzed, and he stared at it in disbelief. There was ten grand. “No … I’m sending it back.”

“Bro, consider it a wedding gift.” Grant laughed. “I’m so happy for you!”

Tom swallowed his pride. Now he could get a decent ring for her and he wanted that. “Ah, fine. Thank you!”

“Don’t mention it. Say hi to Emily; I have to go.”

“Okay, bye.”

Tom got off the phone and rushed through the hotel lobby to the concierge desk. The owner of the resort was waiting for him. When he’d figured out what he wanted to do, he’d texted the security guard and asked him to have people in place.

The resort owner brought him to a jewelry shop and unlocked it for him. Tom peered at all the rings, feeling a bit unsure.

His phone dinged again and then again. Looking down, he saw he’d been given another ten thousand from Will and another ten thousand from Walker.

“What?” He was at a loss for words.

A text sounded, and he pressed the audio file. Sloane’s latest song, “Someone to Love,” blasted out. Then another ten grand from Sloane arrived, quickly followed by a text from Zane along with a full background check. Just be safe, bro. We got your back. But she’s good. Do it.

It was stupid, but Tom found himself blinking back tears.

“Sir, do you know what ring you would like?”

“Oh. Sorry.” Sucking in a breath, he cleared his head and let his eyes drift across the selection, settling on a diamond in the middle of a little shell setting. He thought about how Emily had oohed and ahhed over that shell ornament on the Christmas tree the other night. “That one.”

Zane sent another text. Next year, Christmas in Hawaii. Plan on all of us.

Tom laughed. Yes, Emily would love that. The resort owner agreed and wrapped up the ring for him. Tom paid, and then swung by another shop to pick up bagels and waters before rushing back to the room.

He fist-bumped the security guard and then went in. She was still sleeping.

Everything he’d ever wanted was right here in this room with him. Dang, he wanted this woman. He wanted her by tonight.

When she opened her eyes, he gently sat on the bed and kissed her head. She grinned at him. “You already got breakfast?” She sat up.

Hesitating, he ran a hand over her hair and peered into her eyes. “It’s Christmas tomorrow, Ems.”

She grinned. “I know.”

Gently, he pressed his lips to hers. The other part of his plan still had to come to fruition. “Let’s eat and get ready for the helicopter ride, if you’re still up for it?”

“I’m up for anything with you.”

Tom could hardly wait. The little ring burned a hole in his pocket. “Good, because you just might get everything today.”

She gave him a confused look, but he just pulled her in and kissed her.