"Zoe thinks Dirk is dead, and Vanessa never saw her after the shooting. Penelope hasn't been listed back on the British embassy website in Panama as of yesterday. Julieta is back on the private flights, but Ryker is nowhere. And Malin and Emilia have vanished like ghosts after raiding Ezra's office. The last thing we read was about Zoe a few weeks ago. We've been looking for updates, but there haven't been any."
"She had a packed tour schedule. They had her performing all over Latin America with hardly any breaks. How did she look? I've been so worried about her," Naomi asks.
"You know how strong she is, but she was really distraught about Dirk."
"She didn't have any marks on her?"
"No. But the men were manhandling her."
"Who?"
"The ambassador and drug lord of Mexico were both grabby the night of the shooting."
"Then they both ended up dead the same night?"
"Yes."
"My money's on Dirk," Andre mutters and punches some more keys.
"Pull up that one." Hunter points to the screen.
Andre clicks a button and reads, "Popstar Zoe Diego cancels the remainder of her tour until further notice due to a leg injury. All questions can be directed to her management firm."
"That's a lie," I say.
"It's the same statement," Andre says.
"So, you've not heard from anyone besides Axel?" Hunter asks.
"No. You're it," Andre replies.
"Naomi, we need to work together to get the information about the movement and the Global Leaders out to the public. It's the only way to stop it."
"We need to figure out how to do that safely, Flower," Hunter growls, and I jump. He sighs. "Sorry."
I smile. "Okay, but we need to figure it out quickly."
"I've been working on some things," Naomi says.
"Really?"
"Yes. We can go over it."
"Not now," Andre says. "You promised you'd take a day and relax. Sloane said it's important."
"Sloane?" I ask.
"Yes. She's an excellent therapist and helping me with my PTSD issues."
"PTSD issues?"
Naomi slowly nods.
Andre rises and wraps his arm around her. "Naomi struggles with some things from what Santiago and his thugs did to her."
"I can understand that. I'm happy you're okay."
She smiles. "Thanks."
"Sloane is good at what she does?" Hunter asks.
Blaise's jaw clenches. "She's the best."
Hunter glances at me.
"Okay, well, we're spending a day on the beach. You two probably need some rest, too," Andre states.
"Well, we've kind of already had a week of rest on the cruise ship," Hunter says.
"But we will join you," I follow.
"I'll show you to your room." Blaise grabs Hunter's backpack, and we follow him up the stairs.
"Thanks for letting us crash," Hunter tells him when we enter the room.
"Stay as long as you want." Blaise turns to leave.
"Hey, Blaise," I say.
He spins. "Hmmm?"
"Do you think I could talk to Sloane when she's here next? I need to find a therapist for my anxiety attacks."
"Sure. I'll let her know you want to discuss some things with her. She'll be back tomorrow."
"Thanks."
"No problem." He leaves.
Hunter circles his arms around me. "That was impressive."
"What?"
"How you didn't hesitate about talking with Sloane."
I stare into his golden-brown eyes. "I want to get better."
"I know you do, Flower."
"For us."
He brushes the hair off my face. "Not for us. For you. I'm with you no matter what."
"But I want to be better for us."
He tilts his head.
"What?"
"I don't want you to struggle or go through what you do. But I'm going to love you no matter what. I don't want you to feel pressure around healing due to our relationship."
"I don't."
"No?"
"No. And I love you, too."
His face lights up. "Say it to me in a different language." He bends his ear to my mouth.
I say it to him in Portuguese then Spanish while nibbling on his lobe.
He groans. "Sounds so dirty!"
"No, this would be dirty." I tell him in Portuguese several different things I plan on doing to him.
"That's hot. What did you say?"
"Can't tell you. I'll have to show you later."
"Outside or inside?"
"Well, that depends on how sneaky we can be."
He cockily arches his eyebrows. "Is that a challenge?"
"Maybe."
"Challenge accepted." He kisses me.
We change and go downstairs. He helps Andre and Blaise set up a sun canopy on the beach. Naomi and I fix some drinks and snacks to take out.
When I get to the tent, the guys are in the water, throwing a frisbee. An infinity symbol over a heart is drawn in the sand with a bouquet of red hibiscuses on it.
Never-ending, limitless love.
Love sweeps through me, and as tears fall, I pick the flowers up and smell them. It's the first time since my capture that I've gotten to inhale the flower's mild smell.
My demi-god, sexy vessel of sinner and saint, tosses the frisbee, runs through the water, and swoops me up in his arms. I drop the flowers back in the sand, and he jogs back into the water while I'm kicking and laughing.
When we're both up to our necks in the water, and my limbs are wrapped around his body, he kisses me, then wiggles his eyebrows. "Let's see how sneaky you can be in the clear, turquoise water."
Epilogue
Hunter
One Month Later - Australia
"What do you think?" I set our duffle bag and my backpack down. Nervous butterflies take off in my stomach.
Vanessa glances around then turns to me, beaming. "I love it."
"You do?"
She wraps her arms around me. "What wouldn't I love? This place is gorgeous. Look at your view!"
I exhale. The sun is shining over the water and waves are crashing against the shore from the tide.
She bites her smile. "Are you nervous?"
"Little bit."
She pats my face. "Aww. Aren't you cute."
"Glad I can amuse you."
Her blue eyes sear into mine. "I love it."
"Good." I kiss her. "I have something else to show you."
"What's that?"
I take her hand, lead her into the kitchen, and point to the blender. "Best machine you'll ever find for your frozen fruity drinks."
She claps. "Yay!"
"Let me give you a tour and then I'll make you one."
"Perfect."
I show her around the house. We open the windows as we go room to room, to air out the stale smell from the house.
No one has been here for months besides my caretaker.