“Kaegan?”

It was then that he realized that he hadn’t answered Sawyer. “Yes, I understand.”

It seemed as if it took them forever to reach Eagle Bend Inlet, and when they rounded the bend, they saw the small cabin cruiser. The moment they were close enough to shore, Sawyer and his four deputies were off the boat in a flash. “I’ll call for you when you can come ashore.”

“Yeah, right,” Kaegan said, knowing he had no intention of staying put. He just wouldn’t get in anyone’s way.

One of the men erected a huge beacon, and when it was turned on, it seemed to light up the entire island. Sawyer had a bullhorn that he spoke through and said, “Jeremy Skinner, you are under arrest. Come out with your hands up.”

With the island well lit it was only a matter of time before the man surrendered, walking toward them with his hands in the air. “Where is Bryce Witherspoon?” Sawyer asked him.

He shrugged and then said, “I don’t know. I gave her a head start and then I couldn’t find her.”

Kaegan heard what the man said. He’d given her a head start? Before what? Before he tried hunting her down like an animal? Fury raged inside of Kaegan and he moved toward the man only to find his path blocked deliberately by one of Sawyer’s men. As soon as Skinner was handcuffed and led away, Sawyer looked over at Kaegan and said, “Now go find your woman.”

Kaegan jumped off the boat and raced to the area where he knew the bunker was. When he saw it was locked from the inside hope sprang inside of him. He used his handprint, and in no time the door was sliding open. He stood at the top of the stairs and glanced down. Bryce was sitting there, flipping through one of his shipping magazines. Even from where he stood, he saw the tears brimming in her eyes when she said, “It’s about time you got here for me, Kaegan Chambray.”

He quickly raced down the stairs and she moved toward him. He pulled her into his arms, needing the feel of her there. He needed something else, as well, and lowered his mouth to hers. The kiss seemed to go on forever, and when he released her, he looked into her eyes and said, “You okay?”

She swiped at her tears. “Yes, I’m okay.”

He pulled her into his arms. Needing to feel her there, close to his heart. “I love you, Bryce.”

She tilted her head to look up at him and wiped more tears from her eyes, then said, “And I love you, too, Kaegan. So much.”

He raised his brow in surprise, and before he could tell her to repeat what she’d said, she leaned up and captured his mouth in hers.

* * *

IT WAS BARELY daybreak when Kaegan and Bryce eased between the sheets in his bed after taking a shower together. He knew that for as long as he lived he wouldn’t let her out of his sight. In fact, he’d told her so several times tonight. He’d told her and a number of people, including her parents, her brothers, Vashti and Sawyer, Ray and Ashley, several of the deputies, those two FBI agents and anyone who’d cared to listen. Hell, he’d even told Jack Blackmon when they’d returned the man’s boat. The man thought that was a good idea. Bryce was his and he would never let anyone try to take her away from him again.