One of the men tall, with hawk-like eyes spotted her instantly. Ms. Brooks, is that you?

It s not me! she blurted, her voice high with panic. Her legs kicked into motion like a sprinter s, pounding against the sand as she tore toward the shoreline. It s her! the man confirmed, already signaling the others. Ms. Brooks is over there stop her!

The rest surged after her in a wave of black suits.

But Linsey had little strength left. After everything after what she had just endured her legs were shaky, her breaths shallow.

She barely made it a hundred yards before her lungs burned and she fell short of pace.

The men closed in, surrounding her in a wall of solid muscle.

Her eyes darted for an opening none. Heart hammering, she bent, snatched a fistful of coarse sand, and clenched it tight. I m warning you come closer and you ll regret it!

The man who had first called out held up both hands, looking oddly earnest. Ms. Brooks, please, you ve got it wrong. We re not here to hurt you. We re just following orders

Drop the act, she cut in sharply, her voice trembling with anger. If it weren t for you people, I wouldn t have been humiliated like this!

The bodyguards exchanged baffled glances humiliated?

What were they being blamed for? They had only been ordered to find her, nothing more. But Linsey didn t believe a word.

The moment she saw their guard slip, she hurled the sand straight into their faces. They staggered, blinking through the grit.

She spun to flee and crashed headlong into a solid chest.

The impact knocked the breath from her lungs and from the man s. He grunted softly, stumbling slightly, but his arms instinctively caught her.

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And when he saw who it was, the pain didn t matter.

Linsey Gorman murmured, his voice low and breathless with relief as he held her close.

Startled, she looked up at him, eyes wide. Gorman? You?

A gentle smile softened his eyes. You disappeared without a word. I was worried, so I sent them to find you.

Her gaze flicked over her shoulder to the black-suited men, still brushing sand from their faces.

You mean they re yours? she asked, pointing awkwardly.

Yes, Gorman admitted without hesitation. My most trusted men.

Heat crept up her neck. Realization sank in, leaving her suddenly awkward and still processing.

Oh my God she muttered, turning back to the bodyguards with a sheepish bow of her head. I m so sorry. I thought you were the enemy.

Luckily, none of them seemed offended. If anything, they looked amused. ?s s ?ovelFind.net

One stepped forward, addressing Gorman with formality. Mr. Green, now that Ms. Brooks is found, should we take our leave?

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