* * * * *

PRESENT

They say true love’s kiss is the most powerful sign of love in the world. It’s the moment when you find the person to who you are meant to trust the rest of your life.

Nothing was ever said of life ending on a balcony because of true love.

While I had lived, true love died.

“You tried to kill me,” I shuddered. I’d come to on his bed. He sat on the edge, watching me.

“You lied to me even when the lie meant our daughter. I should have killed you.”

“Eric doesn’t know about Ken. He’s never even met her.”

“How noble of you, but that doesn’t change things. While I couldn’t kill you, I promised you’d be sorry for lying to me. It was a promise I was prepared to fulfill because I know you, Shelly. That means I know when you’re lying.”

“What are you going to do?”

“What I should have done four years ago when you told me no. I’m taking you prisoner. Take a look around, my love. This is your cage.” He magically produced a set of handcuffs. “Are you going to make me use these? You could consider them your wedding ring. “

“Keenan, this—”

“Beg.”

“What?”

“If you want to be set free, the only thing I care to hear from your lips is the sound of you begging. I’m not interested in anything else.”

“Please.”

“That’s more like it,” he smugly replied.

“I wasn’t finished.” I’d snapped, but I couldn’t care about the consequences. “I meant please spare me your jealous rage. You don’t seem to be much of a forward thinker. They will look for me.”

“You haven’t been paying attention, have you?”

“What am I supposed to be paying attention to?”

“They’re hoping we have a chance of falling in love again and think we need some alone time.”

He stood from the bed, pocketed the cuffs, and made his way for the door. I sat up and ran after him, but he managed to shut and lock the door. I pulled and tugged and beat on the door, hoping it would give. When my throat had finally grown hoarse from screaming, I rested against the door, too weak to move away.

I had to get out.

CHAPTER TWENTY

KEENAN

“NO WAY! I am not playing babysitter. Your bitch of a girlfriend hates me, remember?” The next morning, I had called Di over and had been trying to convince her to play guard.

“Don’t call her a bitch and you won’t need to speak to her. I just need you to bring her food three times a day. The master bath is accessible to her. I may only be gone a few hours, but this is just a precaution.”

“Oh, God. We’ve just gravitated from stalking to kidnapping.”

“Don’t grow a conscience on me now, and I’ve never stalked anyone.

“No? What do you call sending me back to spy on a town full of people you abandoned four years ago?”

“I paid you so why does it matter?”

“I didn’t need your money, which you have been well aware of since the moment we almost fucked on it.”

“But you took it anyway. Look, I’m asking you this as a favor. You won’t be mixed up in anything.”

“So what are you going to tell your big, bad brother when he finds out she’s missing?”

“I’m going to tell him the truth.”

“Do you think that’s a good idea? Scratch that. Clearly, you aren’t concerned about making smart decisions. What if he tries to stop you?”

“He won’t. He knows better than that.”

“I kind of got the impression that Keiran isn’t afraid of much, least of all you.”

I couldn’t tell if she meant it as a warning or insult. Knowing Di, it was the latter. “He’s not invincible.”

“Wow.” Di shook her head and for a moment, she looked worried. “You’re really going to do it, aren’t you?”

“Do what?”

“You’re going to try and build a wall against everyone who cares about you. As a friend, I have to be honest and tell you that you’re going to lose.”

“Thanks for your vote of confidence.”

“Just keeping it real.”

“Before this gets any more real, I need another favor.”

* * * * *

Keith met me in the building’s garage, and I tossed him the keys to Keiran’s ride. I hopped in the car I had purchased a couple of years ago but never really used. An hour later, we were pulling up to the resort. Beach goers already littered the beach even at the early hour.