Chapter Twenty-Three
Bjørn rolledhis shoulders as he walked back to camp. After hours of work, he’d figured out how to reroute the wires to the radio and had called in their location. As soon as the storm lifted enough to fly, the coast guard would come get them. Bjørn breathed easily for the first time since landing.
Voices floated from the tent Dexter fought for his life in, so Bjørn veered course to check in before he changed into dry clothes and crashed for a few. Lightning flashed close, causing Bjørn to duck. His laugh at himself changed to cold terror as Sadie’s scream ripped through the air.
Rushing to the tent, he charged in to find Sadie wrestling with Cody Miller. She struggled to hold his hand away as he pushed a knife down toward her. Bjørn dove at Cody, grabbing his arm and wrenching it behind him.
The man bucked and kicked out at Bjørn’s legs, but Bjørn held on tight. Cody’s yell sent chills down Bjørn’s already freezing skin. Sadie scrambled over to Dexter, placing her body between him and the thrashing madman.
Cody wiggled like a worm, pulling and making his way loose from Bjørn’s grip. Cody threw his head back, and Bjørn dodged. The jerk’s head smashed into Bjørn’s cheek, exploding stars across his vision. Sadie took a foot to the chest, flinging her back over Dexter.
Blood pounded in Bjørn’s ears as fiery rage rushed through his body. He yanked Cody’s hand that still held tight to the knife higher behind him. A loud pop of Cody’s shoulder, followed by his blood-curdling scream, filled the air as lightning flashed. Cody didn’t give up but kicked out at Dexter even harder.
Sadie pushed off from Dexter, her arm swinging in a powerful arc. Her hook smashed into Cody’s jaw just below his ear. He froze, then melted into a heap in Bjørn’s arms, knocked out cold.
The flap to the tent ripped to the side, and Gunnar climbed in, his gaze scanning the space. “What happened?”
“Cody tried to kill Dexter.” Sadie breathed hard where she slumped next to Dexter. “Pushed Dex off the cliff too.”
“Why?” Drew’s shocked voice turned Bjørn’s attention to the crowd at the tent door.
“I think Cody was jealous of Dexter.” Sadie stared down at the guy still hanging on the thin balance between life and death, her words leaving Bjørn stunned. “Jealous that Callie chose Dexter.”
“This is all my fault.” Callie stepped forward, her voice hitching with tears. “I shouldn’t hav—”
“No.” Dexter’s voice, while weak, held determination. “Not your fault.”
“Dex?” Callie held her trembling fingers to her lips.
Dexter motioned for her to come near. Sadie crawled over Cody to get out of the way. Bjørn grabbed her arm and wrapped her in a hug. If he’d been a minute later, she’d probably be dead. He squeezed her tighter to him and buried his face in her hair.
“Callie … I love … you.” Dexter’s halting words had Callie crying even harder.
She kissed him gently. “I love you too.”
Gunnar climbed further into the tent. “Dex, let’s check you out.”
“Can I stay?” Callie clutched Dexter’s hand in hers.
“Absolutely.” Gunnar nodded.
“Drew, can you help me get Cody secure in your tent?” Bjørn let go of Sadie, though everything in him wanted to hold her tight.
“Yeah.” Drew grabbed Cody’s legs and helped Bjørn carry the attempted murderer to Drew’s tent.
After making sure Cody couldn’t do anymore harm, Bjørn rushed to find Sadie. Lantern light filled the tent she shared with Callie, showing Sadie’s silhouette. He unzipped the door and ducked in.
Her hand shook as she cleaned a wound bleeding on her upper arm. His stomach dropped, and he clambered to her side. He took the alcohol wipe from her fingers and gently wrapped his hand around her arm.
“You’re hurt.” His rough voice gave away the emotion clogging his throat since he heard her scream.
“It’s just a scratch.” She laughed, but the way her body trembled wasn’t funny.
She was right. The wound wouldn’t need a bandage, but the thought of what that knife could’ve done had him huffing out a shaky breath. He finished cleaning it and kissed right above it. Then trailed kisses up to her shoulder and along her neck. She fisted her hand in his shirt, but her kiss on his lips was gentle.
“You okay?” he whispered against her mouth.
“Yeah.” She sighed, burying her face in his neck. “I’m just … I’m just so tired and sad. Why would anyone do that?”
“I don’t know.” He rubbed her back. “Come on, lie down so you can get some rest.”
Her grip tightened on his shirt, and her trembling doubled. “I can’t.”
He held her closer and lay on her sleeping bag. She pulled away just enough to look in his eyes. Hers were bright with tears, and her dark circles showed her exhaustion. He’d never seen anyone more beautiful.
“I love you, Sadie,” he whispered, not able to keep the words in.
A tear slipped past her lashes and trailed down her cheek. “I love you too.”
Heart soaring higher than he’d ever flown, he gave her a soft, lingering kiss. He might have a chopper busted beyond repair. They might be stranded on a rain-soaked island with a cold-hearted killer. But he’d never been happier than he was with Sadie Wilde in his arms.