No, she wouldn’t think of that. She couldn’t. Garrett had promised her, and she believed him.

She lay there, eyes closed, sucking deep breaths and trying to ignore the horrible knot in her stomach. This time she didn’t hear their approach. The sudden opening of the door startled her and she rose up on one elbow, shielding her eyes with the other. Garrett stumbled forward as he was shoved into the room, but this time he didn’t go down. He stood defiantly until the door shut behind him and then he scanned the room. Looking for her.

He walked slowly toward her and then sank to his knees in front of the pallet where she lay. She opened her arms and swallowed back the sob. He gathered her close and, with a groan, lowered them both back to the pallet.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured over and over. “I’d hoped they wouldn’t touch you, that you wouldn’t be scared. I know you must have been terrified, but I’m so damn proud of you.”

She pulled away and ran her hands over his face, wiping at the blood, uncaring that it stained her hands and clothes.

“It wasn’t bad,” he said quickly. “They figured out they weren’t going to get anywhere with force. That’s why they pulled you in. I should have done a better acting job. I could have pretended to be beaten down more. They would have left you alone then. Maybe.”

The words tumbled out and she put a finger over his lips to silence him. He was apologizing. God. She replaced her finger with her lips and kissed him tenderly, peppering tiny little kisses over his bruised and battered mouth.

For a long while they lay in silence, tangled together, exchanging the occasional kiss.

“What now, that you’ve told them what they wanted to know?” she asked softly.

“I didn’t tell them shit. I was just trying to buy us some time before. Time for my team to get here. I gave in now because by the time they figure out it was a bunch of nonsense, we should be out of here.”

He sounded so sure that it elevated her flagging confidence.

“You need rest,” she said. “For when your team gets here so you can help kick butt.”

He chuckled. “Bet your ass.”

“Garrett?”

“Yes, baby.”

“Are you really okay? I mean, you don’t need to tell me you are just to make it seem not so bad. I want to know.”

He made a disgruntled sound. “I’ve been better. But I’ve been worse. I’ll be fine.”

“Tough guy,” she chided.

“Bet your ass,” he said again.

“Know what I want when we get out of here?”

“Me? Naked?”

She blushed and buried her head in his shoulder. “Besides that.”

He laughed. “Okay, I give up.”

“One of your three-course meat dinners. I’m thinking chicken, pork and steak will do nicely.”

“Hell yeah,” he breathed. “With ketchup.”

“French fries,” she said dreamily.

“And chocolate cake.”

“Something caramel.”

“You like caramel?” he asked.

“Oh yeah. My favorite. Anything caramel.”

“Oh boy,” he muttered. “I have a confession to make.”

She lifted her head in curiosity.

“That time on the island when I brought you a chocolate bar?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I sort of had a chocolate and caramel bar in my stash too but I offered you the chocolate because caramel is my favorite.”

“I should be pissed over that. Caramel hoarding is a sin.”

“Yes, you should be,” he agreed. “I’ll make it up to you though. I make some of the best caramel num nums ever. It’s the only thing besides meat that I can cook.”

“Num nums?”

“Yeah, well, I don’t know what the real name of it is. It’s graham cracker crumbs with caramel poured over with a thin layer of chocolate on top. They’re so damn good all you can say when eating them is num num num.”

Her shoulders shook as she laughed and she squeezed him. He winced and she backed off, an apology on her lips. He put his finger over her mouth. “No, don’t say it. I like you touching me. I’m okay. Really.”

“I want those caramel num nums,” she whispered.

He leaned in to kiss her again. “You’ll get them.”

CHAPTER 28

SARAH came awake to the sounds of footsteps—heavy, hurried footsteps—outside the door. But what alarmed her more than the potential threat was the fact that Garrett didn’t rouse from sleep. He was extremely alert and quick to pick up on any noises, but he lay still. She put her hand down to rouse him and wondered if he was unconscious and then she yanked her hand back just as the door burst open.

Enough was enough. The bastards weren’t going another round with him. She lunged to her feet and flew across the room to plant herself between the man and Garrett.

“Enough, you bastard,” she hissed. “Take me. You’ve done enough to him already. What use is he to you if you kill him? If you want your jollies then take me and do your worst. I’ve already been there and survived, and I’m not going to let an asshole like you break me either.”

She yanked at her shirt, determined to distract him from his goal. She had it up and her bra pushed aside, prepared to take it all off it that’s what it took, when the man reached out and grabbed her wrist, preventing her from baring any more flesh.

“Take me,” she said desperately. “I’m willing. I’ll do whatever you want. I won’t fight you. Just leave him alone.”

Tears gathered in her eyes but she squeezed them back as she defiantly faced down the man who’d come for Garrett.

“Sarah, honey, it’s okay. He’s one of mine,” Garrett said from behind her.

She whipped around to see Garrett leaned up on one elbow as he tried to get up. Then she turned back to the man who still held her wrist.

“Sarah,” the man said gently. “It’s okay now. My name is Rio. I’ve come for you and Garrett. Everything is going to be fine.”

As he spoke, he carefully pulled her clothing back into place as she stood shocked and appalled by what she’d just done. Behind Rio, another man barreled into the doorway and she took a quick step back. Her knees buckled as realization set in. They’d come. Just like Garrett had promised.

Rio caught her before she fell but she batted away his arms. “No, no, I’m fine. You need to see to Garrett. He’s hurt. Don’t worry about me. Please just help him.”

“No one touches her, Rio.” Garrett’s softly issued warning floated through the room. “Make sure your men know.”

A look of understanding passed between the two men and Rio motioned for the man behind him to come through. Sarah backed away, hugging herself as she watched the flurry of activity begin.

The second man stopped by her side and stood with his gun up, clearly protecting her. When she glanced up, he nodded respectfully. “I’m Terrence, ma’am. We’re here to take you home.”

Still numb, she turned to see Rio help Garrett to his feet. He leaned heavily on Rio as they stood a moment to allow Garrett to get his bearings.

“How bad is it?” Rio asked grimly. “I have to tell you, you look like shit, man.”

Garrett cracked a grin. “I’d worry more if you told me how pretty I looked.”

Terrence snorted. “I’ve seen prettier jackasses.”

“It’s not too bad. They were fucking amateurs,” Garrett said. “I guess for that I can be grateful. They worked me over pretty good but it’s mostly bruises.”

Sarah shook her head, trying to take it all in. They were standing around like this was some big joke. “We should go,” she blurted. “He’s not safe here. He needs a hospital.”

“Come here,” Garrett said, holding out his free arm to her.

She went instantly, anchoring herself to his side, holding on to him for dear life. Dear God, she was trying to keep it together but she could feel the hysteria rising like a tidal wave. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He squeezed her to him and kissed the top of her head. “We’re safe now. My team is here. They’re not going to let anything happen to us.”

Garrett felt the betraying tremble of her body and knew she was hanging on by a thread. He tried to step forward, still holding her next to him, but his body was stove up from the beatings and every muscle screamed in protest. He’d been still for too long and the simple act of moving was damn near impossible.

“I’m going to need help,” he said to Rio.

Rio frowned, and Garrett knew he was thinking it had to be bad for Garrett to admit he couldn’t walk out under his own steam.

“Take Sarah out first,” he said to Terrence. “Rio and I will be right behind you.” Then he looked down at Sarah. “Go with him, honey. I won’t be far.”

She glanced a little nervously at Terrence but stepped away from Garrett and then followed the big man out of the room.

“What the hell happened?” Rio asked bluntly.

“I got the shit kicked out of me. Stupid bastards nabbed us at a roadblock. Wasn’t much I could do facing down seven armed men, and I had Sarah with me to protect. I activated the SOS and then tried to buy us as much time as possible.”

“Did they hurt her?” Rio asked, a deep scowl working over his face.

“No, they left her alone. Dragged her out to make me cooperate when they figured out their methods of making me talk weren’t working. Scared her, but she’s been fierce.”

“Yeah I got that. I think she would have taken me on when I came in the door.”

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Garrett said softly. “For her to do that. You don’t even realize the courage it took.”

“I think I do. She’s been hurt before.”

Garrett nodded. “That she was willing to ... for me. Damn but I’m furious and awed all at the same time. She’s ...”

“Yeah,” Rio agreed. “Fierce.”

Rio started forward but Garrett held back. “I don’t know if Van briefed you or what all you know, but Marcus Lattimer hired us. That’s the story. Sarah is his sister and she doesn’t know. I don’t want her to find out until I have a chance to tell her.”

Rio nodded. “Van gave me the rundown. My men have been briefed. We’re cool. We’re not going to blow your cover. Now let’s get the fuck out of here. If I had to guess, we don’t have a lot of time before your brothers come in and start a fucking war with Mexico.”

Garrett grinned. “Family motto. No one fucks with the Kellys.”

With Rio’s help, Garrett walked out of the room and then out to the front of the house, where the rest of the team was assembled. They passed the bodies of the men who’d held him and Sarah captive and he frowned at what Sarah had seen on her way out.

Rio shook his head. “Terrence wouldn’t have let her see all that crap. I know my man better than that. He’s real protective when it comes to women.”

Garrett shook off Rio’s hold as they exited the house and he breathed in the fresh air. He automatically looked for Sarah and saw her standing off to the side, her arms wrapped around herself. She looked pale and completely lost. Terrence hovered over her and was speaking to her in low tones, but Garrett wasn’t even sure she heard. The three other members of Rio’s team were spread out and on careful watch duty.

As soon as she looked up and saw him, she broke away and ran to him. He braced himself for impact and opened his arms, but she stopped in front of him and then carefully went into his embrace.

She buried her face in his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. She shook like a leaf.

“We need to make tracks,” he whispered softly.

She shuddered and tilted her head to look up at him. “I don’t want to stay here a minute longer than necessary.”

Garrett caught Rio’s gaze over Sarah’s head and tilted his head in the direction of the SUVs. Rio nodded and then took a step toward Sarah.

“Sarah, we need to get you inside the vehicle where it’s safe. Will you come with me?”

Rio kept a foot of distance between himself and Sarah and was careful to keep his voice measured. She wouldn’t even meet Rio’s gaze. A flush swept over her cheeks, and Garrett’s heart clenched at the humiliation in her eyes. For her to feel shame for what she’d done for him—that she was willing to sacrifice for him—made him sick. He was damn sure going to have a heart-to-heart with her at the first opportunity, because no way in hell was he going to allow her to be embarrassed over trying to protect him.

“What about you?” she asked Garrett. “You’re coming, right?”

There was fear in her voice despite the fact that her words came out steady. Her hand trembled in his and he squeezed reassuringly.