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ones, too. My gut says he wouldn’t have kept her too far from here, just in case.”
    “I hope you’re right.” Anxiety ate at him. “Okay, spread out and start searching the ones north of here. I’ll take the south. Let me know if you find her.”
    “Will do.”
    Hanging up, he began his search, kicking in the door to the next building over. A couple more agents joined him, and they were able to cover the grounds more quickly. The first building revealed nothing, as did the second. The places were huge, and it was taking too damned long. Also in the back of his mind was the man who’d been left to guard Anna. Was he still with her, or did he run? Gray’s gut said he had run when he somehow got wind of the takedown, but he was vigilant, watching for any sign of movement.
    In the rear of the last building was a small back room. If she wasn’t here, they’d have to start looking at Santos’s other holdings. That could take far too long to locate her. She was bound and gagged, no access to food or water.
    He was about to go out of his mind when he kicked in the door—and there was Anna. The woman he’d never stopped loving, and the most beautiful sight in the world. She was alone.
    Rushing to her, he fell to his knees, laid his gun aside, and pulled her into his arms.
    ***
    The door to the dank room burst open, and Anna couldn’t have been more surprised to see Grayson standing there, scowling like an angel of death. But he was salvation, in her case. His light golden-brown hair was mussed, and as his blue eyes lit on her, they filled with relief. Warmth.
    In an instant, he was on his knees in front of her and she was in his arms, being held against his muscular chest. And as her eyes filled with tears, she realized it felt so good to be right there, snuggled into his heat. His cologne, so familiar, made her ache with the memories that flooded her.
    She’d been stupid not to talk to him before she’d run off and left New York.
    “My God, Anna,” he croaked. “Are you all right? Let me look at you—shit! I’m sorry, let me get this crap off you.” Taking his pocket knife, he sliced off the gag.
    “Thanks,” she breathed, unable to tear her gaze from him. “How are you here? I mean, I’m glad you are! But how did you know?”
    “Delacruz told me about Santos taking you. He asked for my help, but there was no need. I would have come no matter what.”
    She flinched inwardly at the mention of Joaquin’s name and the thought of how she’d left Gray and run straight into the arms of his nemesis. “What about Santos? Did you get him?”
    “Yeah. The asshole’s going away to federal prison for a long time. With any luck, he’ll die there.” He smiled at that.
    “That’s great news!”
    “Petrov got away, though. We’ll catch them eventually. Are you okay?” he repeated.
    “I’m fine. Nothing wrong with me that a week of sleep won’t cure. I didn’t exactly get much rest at the dirty safe house where they held me, or at Santos’s mansion.”
    “We thought that was where he was keeping you, but we had to draw him into the open. Delacruz set up a meeting with Santos and turned over the rest of his illegal holdings to the man in exchange for immunity from federal prosecution. He’s free and clear,” Gray said quietly, watching her reaction.
    “I’m glad.” She gave him a tremulous smile. “You’re a good man to do that for him, Gray.”
    “Good enough for a second chance?”
    Her heart lurched and her mind whirled in confusion. A few weeks ago, her answer would have been a resounding
no way
. But now? The passing of time had dulled the hurt of Gray’s betrayal. To the point where she understood the terrible position he’d been in. Had she been too impulsive, giving in to her anger and dismissing him from her life?
    Before she could respond, he leaned in and pressed a single, gentle kiss to her lips. The heat of it went through her body, chasing away the chilliness that had gripped her