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"This is your decision, Gabi," Vance said over his shoulder as he crossed the roo to let you tork out how you want to handle it" He opened the door

Master Marcus stepped in He glanced around Then his gaze zeroed in on her like a targeting control in a video game

Every blood cell in her body leaped in joy until she remembered what she’d done What he’d done The joy fractured and died, leaving her with the bitter taste of betrayal on her tongue

"Marcus," Galen said, rising He held his hand out "I’race, Marcus walked over to shake hands, then nodded at Vance before turning his gaze back on Gabi

She couldn’t ed from when it had filled her world like a desert sky And his voice--soft and deep, so different from the sound he’d made when she’d told him she was FBI Like he’d been stabbed She concentrated on picking up her soda gracefully, although from the way her stomach churned, she sure didn’t need a drink

Vance huffed a laugh "Take her for a walk, Marcus, before she turns any greener"

Galen said, "She’s willing to return--got ents--so when you’ve worked out how you’ll handle this, co"

Go with hients had cast her to the sharks, she stiffened in disbelief

Marcus pinned her gaze One shark With piercing blue eyes He held his hand out "Coo anywhere with you" Back stiff, she rose, heading for the door She gave the other two ht her wrist and pulled her to a stop His eyes were a darker blue than Marcus’s but surprisingly kind "We talked with Z, with the other Masters, and with Marcus All anyone wants is to let you serve as a decoy in the safest, gentlest e can arrange…and we all agree Marcus is the best choice Talk to hiure out so else"

Talk with Marcus Could she stand it? Did she have a choice? Vance held her gaze until she nodded her surrender

"Good girl" He set her wrist into Marcus’s hand Strong fingers closed, trapping her ents had planned for Z to attend this ht have employed a few courtroom techniques, but he’d told the truth Their secrecy bullshit had not only given hih feeeks, but also led to the fiasco last Saturday They sure as hell owed hiht with Gabrielle They’d reluctantly agreed, with the stipulation that Gabi had the final choice

Marcus had pondered long and hard about today--what to say and where to go so she’d feel couided her out of the lobby toward the beach On the grounds around the hotel, the pal breeze Gulls cried as they rode the air currents, diving at the white-capped waves People were scattered here and there, their towels, blankets, and uainst the white sand A child with fla red hair used a stick to write his nauided Gabi onto the sidewalk paralleling the beach, his spirits rose Da her, even if she was under duress The sea wind ruffled her shaggy hair and brought him her sandalwood scent With an effort, he put away the rance deepened, darkened in the tender crease between her hip and thigh

Instead he studied her Shoulders still rigid, walk stiff, the small muscles around her eyes and mouth tense "Gabrielle"

She looked up at him, her brown eyes wary "I’ll listen to what you have to say, but just so you know, I don’t want to…to ith you" Heryour time"

The stab hurt "I understand" And she was perfectly justified for her feelings; however, if she stayed enmeshed in the past, she’d not listen to hiet her to relax? Got it He stopped, right in thehis shoes, he stuffed his socks in the toes and rolled up his jeans

She stared at his before, and a spurt of huuilt Did she really see hi his shoes over his shoulder, and nodded toward the wide expanse of beach "Co hi her shoes and socks Although she’d worn a black T-shirt and jeans, her sneakers were blue and her socks a fla red that matched her toenails Damn, she made him smile every time he saw her

She walked beside him toward the water The war a little unsteady He watched with satisfaction as she gave up hating hi clusters of seaweed, broken shells, and enthusiastic dogs

When they reached the wet sand, flattened into firmness by the waves, he took her hand

Startled, she frowned up at hied, obviously deciding not to fight about it She turned her head, staring at the water "So talk"