He blinked, trying to clear his head. Fleur was wearing scrubs, so he was in hospital—he’d been shot. “Everything go OK?”
“Yeah. The doctor will be in shortly to give you the details.” She checked his vitals. “Your family is dying to see you.”
“Alyse?” He sat, wincing at the pain in his thigh.
Fleur placed a hand on his arm to steady him. “Adam’s taken her home to get changed and so the police can ask questions. I’m sure she’ll be back soon.”
Disappointment filled him. She hadn’t waited for him to come out of surgery. No, she would have been freezing. “Did the doctor check her over? Is she all right?”
“She needs rest, but she’s fine.”
Good.
The doctor arrived and shortly after Kim’s room was filled with his parents and sisters, all talking at once. He held up a hand. “I’m fine. The doctor says I need to stay off my leg for a couple of weeks, so I’ll be on crutches.”
“Ugh, does that mean I have to work at the restaurant for even longer?” Eden asked.
Mai shushed her.
It was another couple of hours before a flash of red at the door caught his attention. Alyse hovered in the hallway, as if unsure whether to enter. “Aly.” He gestured her in. Her hair was dry, and she was rugged up in a thick woollen jumper, jeans and boots. Her skin had a flush of pink, but dark rings shadowed her eyes. She needed rest.
She bit her lip and entered, giving his family a small smile, but keeping her distance. He wanted her in his arms.
“How are you?” she asked.
“Better now you’re here,” he said.
“Sorry I didn’t come sooner. The police wanted to talk to me.”
“I guess I’ll get a turn soon.”
She nodded. “Bosch and Khan are right behind me.”
So he didn’t have much time with Alyse. He shot Mai a look. Luckily she understood.
She stood. “We should give Kim time to rest. Do you need a hand doing prep in the restaurant, Dad?”
His father smiled. “That would be great.”
They said their goodbyes and left. Alyse turned to go too. Mai stopped her. “Not you.”
Kim patted the edge of the bed. “Sit with me a while.”
She hesitated. “How’s your leg?”
“It’ll be fine.” He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. “Thank you for rescuing me. It was so incredibly brave.”
She shook her head. “I couldn’t let Mark take you away from me.” She gazed into his eyes. “I… care for you too much to lose you.”
His heart twinged. She might not be able to say the words, but her actions spoke far louder than she realised. Nothing less than love would have got her on a boat to save him. He would be patient, would show her how he felt and wait until she was ready.
He wasn’t losing her.
“I care for you too, Aly. A whole lot.” He kissed her hand and tugged her forward.
She sighed and settled next to him on the bed, her head on his shoulder. Right where she belonged.
It would take time.
But they’d made it through the worst part.
It would only get better from here.
Epilogue
Alyse checked the time. Kim was running late. He’d said he’d be there by four so they could get to Albany for an early movie. She smiled.
They were dating. Although Kim always couched it in terms of being friends, she wasn’t stupid. He was courting her, patiently, slowly, with no pressure. But she felt his love in every phone call, every time he dropped by to say hello, in every stolen kiss over the past fortnight.
At the knock on the front door, a grin spread over her face. Finally.
She hurried down the hallway and pulled open the door to find Don staring at his toes. She stepped back. She hadn’t seen him since Richard’s funeral, but Kim had told her about the part he’d played in Kim’s kidnapping and Adam said they’d had an anonymous tip about Mark’s whereabouts before Zamira called. That’s why they’d arrived so fast. Don shuffled his feet.
“Hey, Don. This is a surprise.”
“Yeah, ah, well… I wanted to say sorry.” He glanced at her. “For helping Mark kidnap Kim,” he blurted. “I didn’t want to. He said he would kill Tyrone.”
Alyse placed a hand on his shoulder. “You’re not at fault here. Mark is.” And he was behind bars where he wouldn’t be able to hurt anyone again. “Why don’t you come in, have a cuppa?” Kim would understand.
“OK.”
Don followed her into the kitchen. “This place looks different—nicer.”
“I painted.” Another way of exorcising Mark. The house now felt like hers again. Memories still cropped up when she least expected them, but little in the house was the same as when Mark lived there. She’d chosen pastel colours and had cleaned out the office, replacing the furniture with her own and turning it into a business hub.
She poured two cups of tea and placed one in front of Don. “How’s your family?”
“Everyone’s pretty angry. Mum’s furious I didn’t tell her about Uncle Mark and she’s angry about Uncle Craig breaking in here.”
Craig was out on bail and would go to trial later. The police suspected Craig was the ringleader of the whole crime ring, but they didn’t have enough evidence yet.
Don shrugged. “I stay out of the way.”
The poor kid. It couldn’t be a pleasant environment. “If you need to get away, you’re always welcome here.”
He stared at her. “Why would you let me?”
“Because you helped me every time we had a family dinner. Spending time with you and Tyrone made me happy for a short time.” She smiled at him. “Besides, despite Mark’s threats you called the police anyway, didn’t you?”
Fear crossed his face and then he nodded.
“Thank you.”
His face flushed and his hands curled around the mug. “I’m sorry I didn’t know how bad Uncle Mark was.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s better now.”
“With Kim?”
“Yeah.”
A knock on the back door. “Can I come in, Aly?” Kim called.
“We’re in the kitchen.”
Don pushed back his chair so fast it fell over. “I’d better go.”
Kim walked in and as soon as he saw Don, he strode to Alyse’s side. “Everything OK?”
Alyse stood, held out a placating hand to both of them. “It’s fine. Don came to apologise for his part in your kidnapping.” She squeezed Kim’s hand.
“Oh.” Kim relaxed. “You’re not to blame. Mark’s scary.”
Don’s lips twitched. “Yeah.” He looked Kim in the eye. “I’m really sorry.”
“I forgive you.” Kim smiled.
Don’s shoulders slumped. “Thanks.” He picked up his chair. “I’d better go. You look like you’re going out.”
“We’re going to the movies,” Alyse said.
“Cool.”
She walked him out. “I meant what I said, Don. You and Tyrone are welcome here any time.”
“Thanks.” He threw his arms around her and hugged her for a split second before jogging to his car. Alyse’s heart broke for him. She would have to keep an eye on him, stay in touch. He had little emotional support. She returned to the kitchen where Kim had tidied the cups.
“That was unexpected,” he said.
“Yeah. Don’s a good kid though.”
Kim pulled her into his arms. “And you have a big heart.” He kissed her slowly. “I missed you today.”
She laughed. “You texted me twice, and you were busy doing those logos for the new shop in town.”
“Still missed you.” He kissed her again and her heart sang. “You still want to go to the movies?”
“Yeah. I’m looking forward to popcorn and choc bombs.”
“Then don’t let me disappoint you.” He held her hand. “Let’s go.”
He could never disappoint her.
&nbs
p; Their life was just beginning.
Thank you for reading!
I hope you enjoyed the book. It would be super awesome if you could leave a review wherever you bought it, because I love to hear what you thought of the story.
If you’ve only just discovered the coastal town of Blackbridge, make sure you check out the earlier Blackbridge Series.
If you’d like to read some of my other series, you can get a selection of free books by joining my reader group.
Acknowledgements
I want to thank all the people who helped me with this story. Derek Stone from the Denmark Marine Rescue showed me around and answered my questions, Sergeant Matt Hartfield helped me with the policing details and I had several people help with the beekeeping information I needed. So thank you to Leilani Leyland from the Bee Industry Council of WA, Daniel, and Shelly Bodin from SKK Honey.
I want to also thank Jess Hill who wrote See What You Made Me Do (Black Inc Publishing), a book about Power, Control and Domestic Abuse. I read this book in order to understand the situation Alyse was in. The stories and statistics are truly horrifying and it really opened my eyes to what is happening in thousands of households across the world. If you are experiencing domestic abuse there are numbers you can call on the next page.
Thank you as always to my editor, Ann Harth, copyeditor, Teena Raffa-Mulligan, and cover designer, Ida from Amygdala Designs. And a big thanks to my cover model Jack who was a little uncertain about modelling for a romance book, but who nailed it, and to Shelly Boston from Smile Photography for taking the photos.
Domestic Abuse Helplines
There are a number of places you can call if you are experience domestic abuse.
Australia
1800 Respect 1800 737 732
https://www.1800respect.org.au/
White Ribbon has a list of hotlines https://www.whiteribbon.org.au/find-help/domestic-violence-hotlines/
USA
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233
https://www.thehotline.org/
Canada
Ending Violence Association of Canada list
http://endingviolencecanada.org/getting-help/
UK
National Abuse Domestic Helpline 0808 200 0247
https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
New Zealand
The NZ Police list a range of help options
https://www.police.govt.nz/advice/family-violence/help
including
Women’s Refuge 0800 733 843
https://womensrefuge.org.nz/
South Africa
The South African Government lists organisations which can help.
https://www.gov.za/faq/justice-and-crime-prevention/where-can-i-find-organisation-offers-assistance-victims-violence
Protect
Blackbridge First Response #4
She’ll do anything to defend her family. He must keep her out of a deadly crossfire. Are they destined for love or doomed to die?
Accountant Olivia Demidenko puts her trust in numbers. And her mind for detail is certain there is more to her cousin’s death at the hands of drug dealers. So with the cops warning her off, Olivia’s intuition tells her this case needs a thorough audit.
Adam Marshall can’t shake the guilt from killing a man in the line of duty. Already struggling to feel worthy of his badge, he’s faced with a civilian poking around in his dangerous investigation. And just as he starts falling for her, he discovers a vengeful kingpin could have the innocent woman in his sights.
Though she can work the evidence for leads to her cousin’s killer, Olivia can’t quite decipher Adam’s intentions. And when Adam digs up the last detail needed for the arrest, he’s terrified he’s staring down the barrel of another tragic ending.
Will the digits add up for this unlikely pair of detectives, or is this a fatal attraction?
Protect is the fourth and final standalone novel in the nail-biting Blackbridge First Response romantic-suspense series. If you like emotionally driven protagonists, secretive enemies, and stories of redemption, then you’ll adore Claire Boston’s edge-of-your-seat thriller.
Buy Protect to count down to passion and peril today!
Pre-Order Now
Want more Blackbridge Stories?
Make sure you check out the full list of Blackbridge books on my website.
Also by Claire Boston
Romance
The Texan Quartet
What Goes on Tour
All that Sparkles
Under the Covers
Into the Fire
The Flanagan Sisters
Break the Rules
Change of Heart
Blaze a Trail
Place to Belong
Romantic Suspense
The Blackbridge Series
Nothing to Fear
Nothing to Gain
Nothing to Hide
Nothing to Lose
Blackbridge First Response
Shelter
Shield
Harbour
Protect
Fantasy
The Emperor’s Conspiracy
The Assassin’s Gift
The Healer’s Curse
The Servant’s Grace
Non-fiction
The Beginner Writer’s Toolkit
Self-Editing
About the Author
Claire Boston has loved dragons, magic and everything fantastical since she read The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton. As a child she used to sneak to the bottom of the garden in the hope of finding fairies. Alas she never found any, so she brought them alive in her own imagination. As she grew older, she fell in love with romance and romantic suspense when she discovered her mother’s stash of Nora Roberts novels.
When Claire began writing, she was torn between fantasy and romance so in the end decided to write both. Her stories are full of love, adventure and escape.
When Claire’s not writing she can be found creating her own handmade journals, swinging on a sidecar, or in the garden attempting to grow something other than weeds.
Claire lives in Western Australia with her husband, who loves even her most annoying quirks, and is currently learning how to knit.
You can find her complete book list on her website www.claireboston.com/books.You can connect with Claire through Facebook and Twitter, or join her reader group (http://www.claireboston.com/reader-group/).
First published by Bantilly Publishing in 2020
Copyright © Claire Boston 2020
The moral right of the author has been asserted.
All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed or otherwise made available by any person or entity, in any form (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Harbour: First Response 3
EPUB format: 978-1-925696-56-1
Mobi format: 978-1-925696-57-8
Print: 978-1-925696-58-5
Large Print: 978-1-925696-58-5
Cover design by Amygdala Design
Edited by Ann Harth
Copyedited by Teena Raffa-Mulligan
Harbour Page 23