The luncheon was delicious. Real Jamaican jerk chicken was spicier than I’d imagined, but oh so delicious. Something called a Scotch bonnet pepper was the secret, though the chef, who came out to talk to us, said jalapeños could be substituted. It likely wouldn’t be quite as hot though. Something to try when I got home. I loved to cook, but I rarely did, being single and all.

After the rehearsal, I decided to relax by the pool—the bathing-clothes-required pool, that was. Ryan was dragged off by his brothers to do God knew what. Some kind of bachelor party thing. Tonight we had a bachelorette dinner planned for Melanie and Jade, but my late afternoon was free.

I couldn’t help taking my laptop with me. Why not do some research poolside?

I found a lounge chair, applied sunscreen, and then fired up the computer. A server came by, and I ordered a sparkling water with lime. I still wasn’t ready to drink. I’d no doubt be doing plenty of that tonight, though maybe not. Melanie was pregnant and couldn’t drink.

I checked my e-mails, checked in with work, and then, as I was about to search for my father, my server came back to me. I shook my head at him and then turned to a couple talking loudly next to me.

“She just got back. She got picked up by some tourists on a motorboat.”

“Wow. Unreal.”

“There’s talk about it at check-in. They’re issuing refunds for anyone who wants to leave. They’ll make a big resort-wide announcement soon.”

I looked to them. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” I said, “but I couldn’t help overhearing. What are you talking about?”

The man turned to me. “No problem. Most people haven’t heard yet. A young woman jumped off a Jet Ski earlier. She was near drowning by the time a motorboat found her and picked her up. Her two friends are missing.”

“Oh my God. Do you know who it is?”

“I only know she’s a black woman. She looks young. Twenty or so.”

My blood ran cold. Shayna. She hadn’t wanted to go… But I hadn’t been able to talk her out of it in the end.

“Is she all right?”

“Yes. She’s fine. Just scared. My wife and I saw her when she came back. Security took her in to talk to her, and they called in the local law. She’s with them now, and she’s getting medical treatment.”

“I met her this morning. Her name is Shayna. I was there when she and her friends took off with the locals. I tried to stop them.”

The wife shook her head. “Young women can be so foolish. Thank God one of them got away.”

Don’t panic, Ruby. The others might be back by now. Shayna might have just gotten scared and jumped off early.

But in my heart I knew that wasn’t what had happened. I thanked God that Shayna was all right. But Juliet and Lisa? They might never be seen again.

Human trafficking. Young women stolen and sold into slavery.

A lump lodged in my throat. Why hadn’t I tried harder to stop them from going with those men? Something hadn’t been right, and I knew, after being a cop for eleven years, to trust my intuition.

Though I longed to go talk to Shayna, the local law might not allow it. This was way out of my jurisdiction, and I needed to stay out of it.

But those girls would never leave my memory.

More in a long line of people I hadn’t been able to save. Thank God Shayna had saved herself.

---

“What’s wrong, Ruby?” Melanie asked. “You seem a little distant tonight.”

Jade and Marj were on the dance floor, enjoying the bachelorette festivities despite the resort-wide news we’d all gotten about the missing women. The resort wasn’t closing down, but they had offered refunds to anyone who wanted to leave.

Juliet and Lisa hadn’t yet been found.

They likely wouldn’t be. They were probably long gone by now, though no one at the resort wanted to believe that.

I, on the other hand, had no issue with the truth. The truth was hard, and hard truth was a part of my everyday life. Had been for seventeen years.

Our party had decided to stay through the wedding tomorrow and then leave early. Not great to have our vacation cut short, but right now none of us felt like sticking around. I hadn’t had a chance to talk to Ryan alone about Juliet and Lisa, but during the rehearsal he’d been watching me, his eyes sunken. Most likely he was wishing he’d tried harder to stop them. God knew I was.

“I’m sorry. I don’t want to bring your party down. I just can’t get those young women out of my mind.”

“You tried to stop them. Ryan told us. It’s not your fault. And one of them got away.”

“I know. And I know it’s not my fault. But God…this should be a safe place.”

“This is a safe place. Security is everywhere. It was a fluke that those guys got in, and the girls didn’t have to go with them.”

“Shayna didn’t want to go.”

“And Shayna obviously figured out there was danger and got away.”

“She could have easily drowned.”

“But she didn’t.”

“Damn! Why didn’t they listen to me?”

Melanie touched my arm. “Because they’re twenty-one. They can’t see past tomorrow. They came here to have fun, and three handsome strangers offered to take them Jet Skiing. When you’re young, you don’t think about consequences.”

“I did.”

“You didn’t have a normal growing up experience, Ruby.”

I sighed. “I know. I just wish I could talk to Shayna. Find out what happened.”

“The locals are on it,” Melanie said.

“I’m sorry to be such a downer,” I said. “This is the night before your wedding.”

“It’s okay. I understand. We’re all pretty broken up. But we came here for a wedding, and we’re going to have a wedding.”

“Definitely,” I said. “Jade and Marj don’t seem as affected.”

“They are. They deal with it a little differently. I talked to them both after we found out. They’re pretty freaked. So are the guys. Especially Ryan.”

“Did you see the blonde who came up to Ryan last night at dinner?”

Melanie nodded.

“That was Juliet, one of the girls who’s missing. She had a thing for Ryan.” I sighed. “If he’d gone with her, given her what she wanted, she might still be here today.”

“Ruby, Ryan wasn’t interested in Juliet. In fact, it’s pretty clear that he’s interested in you.”

I shook my head. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Because he’s Ryan Steel. The most gorgeous man on the planet.”

Melanie laughed. “I might beg to differ. Let’s say second-most gorgeous.”

I couldn’t help a smile. Melanie was so in love. It was sweet.

Something I’d never experience.

Wouldn’t let myself experience.

She continued, “You’re as gorgeous as he is, Ruby. No matter how much you try to cover it up.”

I warmed.

“Don’t let what happened to you color your whole life.”

“I’m not one of your patients, Melanie.”

“I’m saying that as a friend. You’re scared of men. It’s obvious.”

“Tomorrow is your wedding day. You should be having fun, not giving impromptu therapy to your maid of honor.”

“We’re all in this together,” Melanie said.

“I know. But the Steels and you have been through enough. I’m sorry to be such a downer. Feel like getting out on the dance floor with Jade and Marjorie?”

She smiled. “No, not really. I’m a little nauseated. Morning sickness and all. Turns out it’s evening sickness as well.”

“Okay. I’m sorry you’re not feeling good.”

“I’m not. The reason is great.” She smiled.

Jade and Marjorie walked toward our table, both perspiring from dancing.

“I’m heading to the bathroom. Too much rum punch,” Jade said.

Melanie stood. “I’ll go with you. Seems my bladder fills up more quickly than usual since I’ve become pregnant.”

That left me at the table with Marjorie. We weren’t exactly strangers. I was wearing her clothes, after all. Still, I wasn’t sure what to say to her.

Luckily, she didn’t have that problem.

“Wow. I’m beat.” She gestured to a server. “Could I get some water, please?”

I shoved my glass toward her. “Here. Have some of mine while you wait.”

“Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.” She picked up my glass and took a long drink before setting it back down. “I never thought I’d say this, but I’m sick to death of rum punch. How come you’re not out there dancing? You look hot.”

Hot? I doubted that adjective described me, except that it was a balmy night and I felt a little hot.

“Must be the clothes.” I smiled.

“Are you kidding? I don’t look as good as you do in them. I’d kill for that body.”

“You have a great body. I wish I were taller.”

“Eh. It’s nice sometimes, but try finding a pair of pants that doesn’t turn into capris after one washing. What I’d really like is to tone up, look more like you.”

“Honestly, I think you look great. And trust me, the body I have is a lot of work.”

“I’m no stranger to hard work. Try the ranching life.” She laughed. “I was bound and determined to keep up with my brothers, and I did. I have a gym membership, and I go regularly. Would you mind going with me sometime? Show me the things you do? I’ll buy you lunch.”

I smiled. “You don’t have to buy me lunch. I’d be happy to show you my workouts.” I laughed. “You might want to talk to Ryan, though. I’m betting he’s going to be sore tomorrow.”

Marjorie laughed again. “He’s just being a wuss. I can take whatever you can dish out. I promise.”

I took a sip of my water and smiled. “You know? I think you could. Sure. Let’s do it. Give me a call when we get home, and we’ll set something up.” I’d never had a workout partner before. I preferred to go at my own pace. But Marjorie Steel would be able to keep up with me. I could tell just by her disposition. This woman made things happen. Nothing got in her way.

I liked her.

A blondish man approached us. “Would you ladies care to dance?”

“Not me,” Marjorie said. “I’m all danced out.” Then she arched her eyebrows at me.

The man was nice-looking. No Ryan Steel, but handsome by anyone’s standards, with sandy hair and dark eyes. He wasn’t as tall as the Steel brothers, but was easily six feet.

“I don’t think so,” I said. “But thanks.”

“I gave it a shot.” He smiled and walked away.

“Why didn’t you dance with him?” Marjorie asked.

“Didn’t feel like it, and I’m not much of a dancer.”

“Look, this might be a little forward of me, but blame it on the rum. We all know who your father is. Your life has been hard. So dance. Live a little.”

As much as I hated being reminded of my father, maybe Marjorie was right. This was a dance, not a marriage proposal. Why not? I nodded to Marjorie and then stood, walked toward the man, and touched his shoulder.

He turned.

I cleared my throat, thankful for the darkness hiding the blush on my cheeks. “Still want to dance?”

“Sure, gorgeous. Come on.”

He took my hand, and I resisted the urge to pull it away. It didn’t feel nearly as good as Ryan’s had when his hand touched mine. Though the song wasn’t overly slow, he pulled me into his body, crushing me against him.

Whoa. Panic attack coming…

Breathe, Ruby, breathe.

We were in a public place, on a dance floor. There was nothing to freak out about.

Still, he moved slowly. My breathing got back under control, but I was uncomfortable with how close he held me. Once the song was over I’d bow out politely.

But when the song ended and the next began, he didn’t let go of me, and one of his hands slid down and cupped my ass.

Enough.

I pushed my hands against his chest. “Let me go.”

“Hey, gorgeous, don’t be like that. We’re just having a little fun.”

“I’m done having fun, thanks. Let me go.”

He tightened his arms around me. “Not yet. I haven’t had a taste of your gorgeous skin.” He lowered his head and touched his lips to a tender spot on my neck.

Come here. Show Daddy how much you love him.

I tried again to pull away.

Again, his strength outmatched mine.

“Goddamnit,” I said through clenched teeth. “Let me go!”

He laughed, and this time sank his teeth into my neck.

Visions of my father clouded my brain. No! Not going there. I was a cop, for God’s sake. I was well-trained in self-defense, and now was the time to put that training to use. I thrust my forehead against his neck, effectively pushing him back, and then landed a punch to his solar plexus and a knee to his groin.

He doubled over, and then—

Suddenly he was flung away from me, landing on his ass and knocking other dancers askew.

The music still played.

My heart thumped wildly as Ryan Steel thundered past me, grabbed the man by his collar, and yanked him to his feet. He dragged the man off the dance floor and outside.

I didn’t know what to do other than follow.

When I got outside, Ryan was still holding the guy by the collar.

“I saw the lady try to get away from you.”

“Hey, man. I was having some fun. This is a nude resort, and look at her. That body. She wants it. You know it.”

“You bastard.” Ryan pulled back his arm.

He was going to hit this guy, and I couldn’t allow that. We were on a resort in a foreign country. I had no idea what could happen, what the laws were here. I had been acting in self-defense, but Ryan was just pissed.

I ran forward and grabbed his arm. “Ryan. Please. Don’t.”

He turned to me, his brown eyes blazing. “Did he hurt you?”

I shook my head, my fingers at my neck. “No. I mean… No.”

“What did you do to her?” He eyed the man.

“Nothing, man. Just a little kiss on the neck, grabbed her ass. Look at her, man.”

“You fucking son of a bitch!” He raised his arm again.

“No! Ryan. Don’t.”

“He deserves it.” Still holding the guy, with his other hand he brushed my hand away from my neck. “Damn it.” He turned back to the guy. “You bit her? What kind of animal are you?”

“Look, I’m sorry. She seemed into it.”

“Bullshit. I saw her trying to push you away from across the room. I ought to punch you into tomorrow.”

“You can try it.”

“You fucking bastard.”

This time I ran between them. “Ryan, don’t. I’m okay. It’s not worth it. Trust me.”

Ryan let the guy go, and he crumpled to the ground. “If I see you again, I’ll fucking kill you.”

I’ll fucking kill you. They were simple fighting words, but Ryan’s eyes were dark and glazed over.

He truly meant those words.

That Steel darkness might not be quite as evident in the youngest son, but it was there. Definitely there.

The other guy stood, adjusted his pockets, and then leered at me before turning and walking away.

A few security guards walked swiftly toward him. “We’ll take care of this from here,” one of them said.

Ryan nodded at them and then turned to me. “What the hell happened? Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. I can take care of myself.” True statement, though the guy had unnerved me. I’d dealt with worse than him in my life, so why had he affected me? Scared me?

“Why were you dancing with him?”

“Because he asked me. Because I don’t want…”

“Don’t want what?”

Why not admit it? “Because I don’t want to be…scared of getting close to a man.”

“Do I scare you?”

I trembled. But I couldn’t lie to him. “You scare me most of all.”