How many months had she wasted not realizing that was all the freedom she’d ever have?

She thought about Eban and the fact he hadn’t come to see her since he’d arrived in Fairbanks. He obviously believed the worst. And who wouldn’t? Her fingerprints were on a knife that had been used to kill a man and she had no recollection about what had actually happened. Eban was probably trying to distance himself as much as possible. Otherwise, he’d be tainted by association—although, he could claim a professional interest in the case.

Wasn’t that part of the reason he hadn’t wanted to engage in a romantic relationship with her? Because he’d met her through an official FBI investigation?

It was.

The other reason was that he worried she had some misplaced hero-worship thing going on, although if that was the case it would be directed at Quentin and Haley who had literally plucked her from the clutches of evil, not at one of a group of men who’d flown to the island and rescued them.

She understood his concerns even though she knew he was mistaken as to why she was attracted to him. Maybe he’d been right at the beginning. She’d been a mess. Too raw to make important decisions. But lately her attraction was all about the man himself. His dark liquid eyes, his quiet strength, his voice, his unending support…

Well, maybe unending wasn’t quite accurate under the circumstances.

Eban was a good man who’d always kept her at arm’s length—except that one brief moment long ago when he’d kissed her back.

She was like a stalker who had no clue she’d crossed a line.

He must be thinking about what a lucky escape he’d had.

It was over now. Whatever hope she’d foolishly clung to that he might one day return her feelings was finally dead. But it didn’t stop a sliver of resentment from seeping through. If nothing else, she’d thought they were friends. The least she’d expected was for him to come see her, to commiserate, and maybe weep a little.

The fact he hadn’t, hurt.

She swallowed a quiet sob, painfully aware of the camera. She would not show these people, including Supervisory Special Agent Eban Winters, any cracks in her armor. No visible weakness was allowed.

What about Quentin and Haley? What fallout would they be experiencing? Would Quentin be blamed for not warning the public she was a danger? Her mouth went dry, and she tried unsuccessfully to swallow.

She wished she’d never told her new lawyer about that one dark part of her ordeal. Not because of how it affected her case, but because of how it might affect Quentin’s career. The man had saved her life, her sanity. She owed him everything, and she would not allow her actions to adversely affect him.

She couldn’t deal with disappointing any of them. She loved them too much. They were her family as much as her father was. Her dad wasn’t an emotional man. He was as hard and resilient as the land that had raised her. This would hurt him even if no one would ever know.