It wasn't long before the scene swarmed with Haven police and FBI. Alyssa watched the production from the back of an ambulance, the dizzying spectacle of crime scene specialists collecting evidence, taping off the segment of beach, the flow of bodies going in and out of the cabin was far more intriguing than any episode of CSI Las Vegas.

"Are you okay?"

Hearing the sharp question, Alyssa glanced away from the flashing penlight of the medic giving her a thorough inspection in the back of an ambulance. Ethan stood in the bright glare of the florescent lights spilling out from inside the vehicle, his face stoic and impassive. Unreadable.

She nodded slowly though the simple movement caused immeasurable pain. "Fractured ribs, shitload of internal bruising and a possible concussion, but other than that I'm peachy."

His lips set a little thinner as his gaze flickered from her to the EMT rooting around in his med-kit. "Can I have a moment with her?"

The EMT checked his watch, nodded. "Five minutes, then I've got to get her in for scans and some blood work." As she scuttled out, Ethan hauled himself in and slid on the padded bench, facing her. Suddenly the space within the ambulance contracted until Alyssa couldn't breathe there was too much feeling happening inside of her.

Relief. Fear. Love. Sorrow. Frustration. Guilt. All of it smushed together like playdough in a child's careless fist until all the bright colours blended into one dense, grey blob, impossible to separate or distinguish one colour from the other.

"Thank you," she rasped, her voice strained from Randy's chokehold. Livid bruises were already visible on her skin and she knew come tomorrow they would be dark, purple welts. Ethan said nothing for a long time, giving no indication he'd even heard her aside from the intensity of his eyes that held on to hers, unblinking.

"You don't have to thank me for doing my job," he said at last; a clipped statement that hurt almost as much as Randy's fists.

So, he was still angry with her. Fine, she could accept that. He had every right to be furious. The fact that he'd rode in and saved her life, faced down her demons didn't absolve her from breaking his heart.

"I would've killed him tonight. I would've pulled that trigger and ended a man's life. But then I would see Randy every time I looked in the mirror. As much as I wanted him to die, I realize now that killing him would mark me in a way that I could never escape from. He would haunt me. Not only did you save me from Randy, but his ghost as well. So yes, I do have to thank you, Ethan." She knew all too well about ghosts and the weight of having them shackled around your heart and soul. She'd only just escaped hers and didn't need to acquire new ones.

Blanket hugged around her shoulders, Alyssa shifted forwards, reached for his hands but he jerked away from her touch.

"I don't want to leave things like this between us."

"Are you still going back to Toronto?"

"I have to, Ethan. Now more so than ever."

Shock stretched his features, opened his narrowed eyes. "Why?"

She thought about it for a moment, sighed. "Closure."

He swallowed hard, hung his head. Clearly he didn't like it, but wasn't about to use his hurt as a stick to beat her anymore than she'd already been beaten. "When do you leave?"

"Soon as the doctor's give me the all clear, unless they discover I've punctured my kidney when I get to the hospital." She tried to laugh, but it hurt too much. Everything hurt and it had nothing to do with the bruises and everything to do with what was happening between them.

"Guess I'll leave you to it."

Tears burned the back of her throat. "You say that like it's goodbye."

"Suppose in a way it is." Ethan slid out of the ambulance and left without a backward glance.

#

Flown out by chopper to Vancouver General Hospital on the mainland, Alyssa had been released the following afternoon with strict orders to rest for the next seventy-two hours which meant travelling back to Toronto was not going to happen.

Despite Eva's insistent protests that she come back to Haven, as the cabin was not only in shambles but a full-blown crime scene, Alyssa decided it was best she put herself up in the Fairmont hotel. Jenelle had made the trip up with Eva as she was discharged to bring her luggage which Alyssa had manage to pack moments before being accosted by Randy.

Thanks to Eva and Jenelle, she had everything she needed to see her through the next few days, from movies and paperback novels to sugary snacks and, of course, her laptop. All that was missing was Cleo. Her fierce and brave feline companion had suffered a spiral fracture and a chipped bone fragment had to be surgically removed from her shoulder.

Eva promised to bring her today and Alyssa was anxious to hold Cleo in her arms, to stroke her soft fur and nuzzle her little face, grateful that she hadn't been hurt worse.

Sitting up on the couch in the suites sitting room, Alyssa had spent a considerable amount of time that morning dressing up her face in the mirror and styling her hair. She had an important call to make and wasn't about to face the directors of Schulman & Co looking less than picture perfect. Dressing had been an even greater challenge, and one that almost resulted in her giving up entirely, but eventually sheer determination won and she'd successfully buttoned up a blouse, carefully—shrugged on a blazer and slacks.

"Afternoon gentlemen," Alyssa smiled at the faces gathered around the conference table for Schulman & Co, filling the screen on the laptop. "I'm sorry I had to push this meeting out an extra day, as I know rescheduling these meetings can present unique challenges with most of you flying in but," she waved a hand before her face, highlighting the bruises colouring the side of her right cheek and fanning across her throat, "I'm afraid in light of recent events it was unavoidable."

"Yes, of course," Gerald spoke up, shifting closer in his seat. "What's a couple of days? We're so glad that you remain in good health and very eager to have you return to the fold." A collection of murmurs circled the table as the directors supported their President and Chairman's sentiments.

"It's surreal to be in front of you all again, especially when the last time was so...humiliating." Surprise flickered across Gerald's face, an expression shared with more than a few of those at the table with him that she'd dared go there before he masked it with a somber nod.

"I understand." Elbows propped on the table, he held up his hands then clasped them together under his chin. "I can promise that moving forward, any cause for concern or questions of your competency, will be addressed with you first and foremost." Considering the matter settled, he beamed at her. "I trust you received our courier package from the hotel concierge?"

"I did." The contents of which sat in front of her. All neatly presented with the pages stapled and flagged for her initials or signature.

"Excellent. Based on our conversation last week regarding our offered terms for reemployment, we've had HR redraft an agreement for you to review and sign. Soon as we put this unsavoury matter to bed we can all forget that the last couple of months ever happened."

Forget... Her stomach gave a nauseated pitch. "As the courier arrived promptly this morning, I took the liberty of combing through and I would like to draw your attention to page five, section ten, b." Around the table, heads lowered and the sound of pages rustling rattled through the laptop speakers, distorting their humming voices as they spoke softly amongst one another.

"Yes," Gerald slid on his glasses, turned the pages on the document in front of him. "As you can see we've included your client list in the agreement—standard practice mind you, to ensure that the following accounts are ones who you will manage and carry with you to Schulman."

"Why is my sister's gallery listed there?"

Gerald's gaze lifted to pierce her through the camera and a smile she'd seen a million times before flashed across his face. This was his 'closing an account' grin. The one that he'd used to bring Schulman to the top of the totem pole and remain there.

"We assumed that, given the close familial relationship, you would naturally bring your sister's intriguing business into our fold. We are, after all, the oldest and most reputed Public Relations firm in North America. And with you managing her accounts, she could be in no better hands."

Tension wormed along her jaw, urging her to clench her teeth. "Eva wants to maintain a small enterprise. She has no interest in—"

"I'm sure you can sway her." Gerald's smile widened, revealing his capped veneers and greying gums. She'd always thought they made him appear artificial and predatory, like a Shark with the points blunted to make him appear less...ruthless.

But she saw the hunger in him; even if it was only the faintest glimmer it was enough for her to realize Ethan had been right. She was valuable asset not because of years of work ethic, loyalty and commitment but because of her connections. Eva's brand was coveted gem they wanted locked away in their vault of growing riches. All of this wasn't about her—but about them. It was always about them.

Alyssa brushed a hand across the pristine front page where the words Vice President leapt out of her, followed by a generous salary, percentage of shares that all equated to a sizeable fortune. There was a lot of money on the table added to the very real fact that this was a dream she'd devoted seven long years to seeing realized. Only a crazy woman would turn it all down. Walk away, or worse, toss it back in their faces.

Like she was about to.

"I appreciate that. Truly. To hear those words after everything was the validation and vindication I needed both to be able to see more clearly. And I do." Holy shit, she thought, here we go. And sucked in a single, bracing breath. "But I have to respectfully decline your generous offer. I'm not coming back, gentlemen. I had a lot of great years with Schulman & Co, I learned so much while working with you, and I'll always be grateful for every opportunity you so graciously bestowed. Including being pushed out so I'd have no choice but to look beyond the limited boundaries I'd box myself into." Smiling, Alyssa swept her gaze across the table of stunned, disbelieving faces on screen, the image clear enough to render their abhorrent shock.

"Alyssa..." Gerald brushed trembling fingers down his tie as he shot forward in his seat, panic in his eyes as his face obscuring all other behind him. "I know we put you through quite an ordeal, but perhaps you should think about this. Take a few days before you—?"

"Thank you," she cut him off smoothly and with a smile. "But I'm moving in a new direction, boys. I need a change of scenery. It's for the good of the company." With every word she watched Gerald go whither, and her heart soared. Swiping a finger over the mousepad, she waved goodbye and disconnected the call.

Silence. God, that had felt good. More than good—great.

She'd walked away from Schulman's dignity intact as she tossed them a massive fuck you and thanks for nothing, which is exactly what she should have done the second Gerald Moser resurfaced with his bullshit offer. The nerve!

And she'd been stupid enough to give up everything for them. Ethan...

I am an epic idiot. Well, she'd made a promising career out of fixing the unfixable, of restoring a brand's tarnished image; she could fix this Alyssa thought as she stormed into the bedroom, yanking open drawers to haul out clothing. Selling her condo in Toronto wouldn't be difficult. The housing market was on the rise and knew of a couple real estate agents would only be too happy to help take it off her hands.

There was a cozy little rental not far from the gallery she could look into and as the interviews with a social media coordinator hadn't been finalized, Alyssa could squeeze in a sit down with Eva and Jenelle about hiring her for the job—then she'd track down Ethan and jump the sexy idiot until he was too sex addled to stay mad. He loved her and Alyssa would crawl through Hell if needs be to get him back.

She was halfway through packing her luggage when a knock at the door pulled her from the bedroom. Cautiously, she checked the peephole first and saw nothing but leopard spotted fur.

Cleo! Relief surging, she whipped it open expecting to find Eva standing in the hall but instead came face to face with the only man who'd made her heart start and stop at the same time. His black hair windswept and startling blue eyes bright wearing dark jeans and a black wool coat, Cleo curled in his arms.

"Ethan," she whispered, stooping to pick up the cat carrier at his feet. "What are you doing here?"

"Someone missed you," he said, stroking a hand over Cleo's head. She arched against him, rubbing her slender body against his, purring loudly. "She was a trooper, according the vet. I've brought her meds and 'cone of shame' which she has to wear until the sutures dissolve in a week. Everything is inside the carrier," Ethan explained as he transferred Cleo into her arms.

Alyssa nuzzled against her face, smiling at a stroke of rough tongue against her cheek. A hot pink bandage wrapped around her right front paw and above the edge the fur had been shorn away leaving a small stitched incision exposed to the air to heal.

"Can we come in?"

"Oh...sure. Of course." Holding Cleo with one hand and the carrier in the other, she stepped back so he could enter her space. As she busied herself with setting Cleo on the cushioned seating before tucking the carrier beneath the side table, she heard the door click shut and turned to find his arms closing around her, drawing her tightly against him.

She melted into that embrace, her throat tightening with emotion when he slowly eased back. His eyes swept over her face, seeing beneath the makeup, styled hair and pressed suit she—thank god—had elected to keep on after her late morning Skype call.

"How are you?"

Alyssa swallowed carefully. "I'm okay. Sore, but okay."

He nodded, head angled as if thinking something over. "I'm in love with you."

"Ethan."

"I'm in love with you, Alyssa. Someone much smarter than me said I should keep saying it until you quit arguing. So I've decided that's what I'm going to do." His smile spread at the sound of her laugh and seeing him like this stole her breath, made her heart swell and ache and fresh tears burn behind her eyes. "So tell me, how many more times do I need to say it?"

"You were so mad at me when we last spoke. I thought you'd never forgive me."

"I was angry," he agreed, "but not with you." His hands stroked down her arms before letting her go, but not for long. Reaching into his back pocket, Ethan pulled out a small blue leather box, cracked open the lid and she gasped as a diamond caught the somber grey light pushing in through the windows and dazzled her speechless.

Simple. Elegant. Timeless.

"It was my grandmothers. Mine to give to the woman I want to spend my life with. I want that woman to be you." He gathered her face with one hand, angling her to look up at him. Into him. And his eyes blazed as bright as the diamond he held, filled with complete love, devotion and sincerity. "I was going to ask you that night in the ambulance, but I was burning too hot to say what I needed to say. It wasn't the right time. When I look back on this moment, I don't want to see Randy's face. I don't want to remember the fear that consumed me as I saw your body on the ground bleeding underneath him. I don't want the shadows of that night to darken what should be beautiful. And light."

"Ethan..."

"Before you say anything, there's something else."

God, more? Because her legs were shaking, Alyssa lowered to the cushioned seat on the couch. Her heart was already so full. So big. How much more could she take? To answer that question, shrugging out of his coat, Ethan retrieved a file from the satchel slung around his shoulder. Placed it in her lap.

"Open it."

With Cleo curling up against her, she did as he asked with trembling fingers. Inside was a sheaf of papers and photos. But the first one made her eyes water, and tears fall. She raised a hand to her lips, pressed it there.

Aurelio Sloane. Born August 25, 1958. Calgary, Canada...

Her father. He'd found her father, and through him, a collection of relatives—aunts, uncles, cousins and even half-siblings. "How did you...?"

Sitting on the edge of the coffee table in front of her, a smirk tugged at his lips as he stroked his palms together. "Marshall knows people in some pretty useful places. He called in a favour. I wanted to do this for you, to show you that you have family, Alyssa. Even if you said no, even if you decided that you don't want me to be a part of it, you're not alone. Not anymore."

Pressing hands to her face, Alyssa took a deep breath before letting them drop. "I turned Schulman down, Ethan. I'm not going back."

"You're not."

Seeing the bright flash of joy and surprise in his face made her smile so wide her face ached. "No. Home is where the heart is and I left my heart with you on Haven."

Too stunned to speak, Ethan held his breath, but his eyes widened slightly. "The second I saw you dancing on the beach—you captivated me. I was lost. You were wild and carefree and everything I wanted but thought I could never have. Shouldn't have. And I've never wanted anything more in my life than to have you. All of you."

Smiling, she looped her arms around his neck, slid in to press her lips to his. "Ask me, Ethan."

Gathering the ring box from the tabletop at his side, he held it between them in a white-knuckled grip. "Will you..." Ethan cleared his throat, drew in a calming breath to shake off his nerves. "Please, just say yes."

"Yes." Alyssa kissed him again. Slowly. Deeply. "I want easy summers and quiet winters with the man I love. I want you. Take me home, Ethan."

He groaned intoanother kiss, a smile appearing around the edges. Shooting to his feet, heswept her up in his arms and swung around—away from the couch and strode in thedirection of her bedroom, his mouth hot and busy with hers. "Tomorrow. We'll gohome tomorrow."