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Guardian mate he might have been stronger, but he would not listen. He loved your mother beyond all else.”
    As her mother had loved him.
    I’d do it all again.
    Paola thought about that kind of love. What would it be like? She gazed at Rey and imagined that she could experience it with him. He was handsome and an amazing lover, but she needed more than that right now. She needed to know he was trustworthy and honorable.
    â€œYou’re one of the men, aren’t you? You knew the choice I would face, but you didn’t tell me,” she challenged.
    â€œWhat happened between us had nothing to do with you becoming our leader or choosing me as a mate.” He clenched his jaw with anger at her accusation.
    â€œDidn’t it?” she asked again, although she wanted to believe their connection had truly been about their attraction to each other and not some plot to secure a position of power amongst the Guardians.
    â€œBelieve what you will, but the only thing you have to decide now is whether to stay or go.”
    She patted her grandmother’s hand and Patricia roused, giving her a sleepy smile. Paola forced a smile to her own face, not wanting to worry her grandmother. “I need to go think about some things. I’ll be back later.”
    She moved toward the door, expecting Rey to follow, but he remained at her grandmother’s side, holding her hand, the sight of him so large and powerful incongruous against her grandmother’s now diminished presence.
    As Rey had predicted, Emilio was right outside the door, his features filled with what looked like anticipation. “No need to worry. Patricia just tripped over a root and is quite fine. She’s resting now.”
    Emilio’s eyes narrowed and he examined her, but he didn’t question her, instead he rushed off along with the trio of men surrounding him.
    Needing solitude, Paola hurried back to her room, but the sight of the bed brought back too many memories as did the scattered photos of her father, mother, grandmother and even herself as a child. She wouldn’t venture back toward the rain forest alone and so she marched in the opposite direction until she reached the long floating dock stretching out into the river. The pontoon plane was moored just a bit away, and farther upriver were a series of small buoys and flags, probably marking the fish hatcheries Rey had mentioned.
    She walked to the end of the platform and then plopped down cross-legged near the edge. The sun was up, but its heat was not yet enough to be uncomfortable. A slight breeze stirred along the river, keeping away the humidity while the water flowed by, filled with life and a calm that seeped into her in tiny bits.
    She’d always been drawn to the water. Maybe some subliminal memory of this magnificent river was the reason why, she thought. While she sat, she considered all that had happened and what little she had learned in the space of one short day.
    One short day that had forever changed her life—no matter what decision she made.
    If she left, would she always feel guilty that she had ignored her family’s wishes and a duty to a people she didn’t know? Would she regret not exploring what might be possible with Rey?
    As angry as she was at his deception, she couldn’t deny that she was drawn to him. That their lovemaking over the last couple of days had been…spectacular. Just the thought of it sent a shiver of need through her. But was that enough for her to sacrifice everything for which she had worked so hard?
    She had a life back in New York. A successful life. A financially rewarding career. But she had to confess that even being on the cusp of a partnership, something seemed lacking there. Lately, work alone had not been enough to fulfill her.
    As the sun rose higher, she closed her eyes and tilted her face upward, considering all her options until a footfall vibrated from the far end of the floating dock. She