As they bobbed to the surface of the water, her arm came loose from his hold.
She reared back and came down in one slashing stroke with all the strength she possessed.
Galen’s throat split open like a gruesome grin. Blood spewed in her face, the heat of it fueling the vengeance searing her very soul.
She’d killed the son of a bitch.
In a final spasm of action, his fingers locked around her throat. His weight dragged her down, down, down through the crimson-colored water.
She flailed, fought to pull loose from his weight. Couldn’t get free…deeper…deeper she sank.
She was going to drown.
Hold your breath.
The words filtered through her soul and she relaxed.
Aidan was with her…
Chapter Fifteen
Center
Ghost Mountain
Three days later
“Darby, surely there’s some way I can persuade you,” O’Riley urged sincerely.
He’d spent the better part of the morning attempting to talk her into reconsidering her decision. She’d gotten the grand tour of Center, even the restricted areas. She’d remembered some parts…could recall being there. But none of it made her want to stay.
That wasn’t happening.
“I appreciate your offer, Director O’Riley, but I have a life back in New Orleans. I can’t be what you need me to be.” Her neighbor had returned from Hawaii and was catsitting Wiz.
She wasn’t about to lose anything else. She’d given up too much already.
“The world here at Center has much to offer,” O’Riley tried once more. “You’d pick back up with your training, join the ranks of the Enforcers. You’re special, you know. The only female.”
She closed her eyes and blocked Galen’s voice ringing in her ears. He’d said she was special…that she was his daughter.
“I need to go back home.” She leveled her gaze on O’Riley’s. “Can you understand that? I have to put all this behind me.” She shuddered. “Especially Galen.”
O’Riley nodded. “I understand. I guess there’s nothing else I can do to change your mind.” He looked directly into her eyes. “Do you understand what that means?”
She had a pretty good idea. Aidan had told her that security risks would not be tolerated. The only question was how they planned to eliminate her.
“I think I do.”
O’Riley’s solemn expression turned to one of amusement. “I’m not sure you do, Miss Shepard.”
His sudden change confused her. “Why don’t you spell it out for me then, Director O’Riley,” she said pointedly. If they planned to kill her now, she’d just as soon know. After all, he had given her the full tour. She definitely knew too much now, including their location.
“That means that I have no choice but to permanently assign an Enforcer to guard you and…” he shrugged “…to keep you in line.”
Her heart rate picked up with the anticipation surging. “Do I get a say in the matter?”
He shook his head purposefully from side to side. “Afraid not. Aidan is the only one I would trust with this mission.”
Her heart leapt. She threw her arms around O’Riley and hugged him tight. “Thank you,” she managed to blurt between the tears. “Thank you so much.”
He drew back and looked down at her. “Just remember,” he qualified, “I might need one or both of you sometime. You have to be prepared to pay back this huge debt.”
She nodded and swiped the dampness from her cheeks. “Anything. Anytime. Anywhere.” She hugged him again. “You just name it.”
“Why don’t we see if Medical has lifted the No Visitors restrictions on Aidan. I’m sure you’re ready to see him by now.”
She nodded again, too overcome to speak.
EMTs had come to Aidan’s rescue back at the warehouse. He’d gone into cardiac arrest three times before they got him to the trauma center. Thankfully, a cardiac surgeon had been at the hospital just finishing up with an emergency bypass. There had been no time to stabilize Aidan; they’d had to rush him to surgery to repair the damage.
Surviving that kind of injury was slim at best. But fate had been watching out for him that night. The surgeon had already been at the hospital and Aidan was an Enforcer with amazing healing powers.
By morning, he’d been stable enough to transport back to Center where Medical, the most advanced team of medical professionals on the planet, took over his care.
He would fully recover with no permanent damage.
Two members of O’Riley’s team had rescued Darby from the water. O’Riley himself had taken out Galen’s henchman waiting in the boat.
When they reached Aidan’s room, O’Riley hesitated outside the door. “I’m not going to intrude on your reunion. I know you’ve waited patiently to see him. I won’t get in your way. There is one thing I want you to know.”
Darby held the man’s gaze, not certain she could take any more surprises right now. “Yes.”
“Galen told you that you were his biological daughter.”
She nodded. “He did, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m glad he’s dead.” If that made her cold and unfeeling, so be it.
O’Riley chuckled. “That makes two of us. Still, I didn’t want you worrying about his claim. It’s not true. I will tell you that he attempted to do just that, but I interceded.”
Darby couldn’t deny the relief she felt at hearing that news. “Thank you. That is a relief.”
He patted her arm. “I thought it would be.”
He walked away then, leaving her alone to share her wonderful news with Aidan.
A smile pulled across her lips. She couldn’t wait to see him. She knocked lightly on the door and pushed it inward.
He lay very still on the bed, the sheets stark white against the bare skin of his shoulders. His eyes were closed and she worried that she shouldn’t disturb him. Just then, those dark eyes fluttered open and his lips twitched with a wan smile.
“It’s about time,” he murmured.
She moved to his side, leaned down and kissed his forehead. She tried to hold back the emotion but it was impossible. “I’m so thankful you’re alive,” she whispered, lacking the strength to speak
