Avalyn’s breath caught in her throat. She clung to Bridger’s hand. Escape wasn’t going to happen, and if Ramsey bested Bridger, how would she defend herself from him? She’d taken some self-defense courses in college. Would they be enough? As she remembered Ramsey’s glistening strength, she feared they wouldn’t be.
“Please get some rest. Your best hope is to run his gauntlet.”
Slowly, Bridger nodded and tugged Avalyn back into the room. He closed and locked the door.
Avalyn’s body trembled, and she bit at her lip to hold back the sob that was working its way up her throat. They would never escape from the psychotic Ramsey. Even though his men were sympathetic to their plight, they wouldn’t help them.
She’d been in a village in Africa last month that had been decimated by human traffickers. Some of the children had been recovered, but hopelessness and fear still lurked in their eyes. She’d been sympathetic but had no way to empathize, until now. Being helpless and in an evil person’s power could easily strip a person of their will to thrive.
Bridger gave her a forced smile. “You take the bed. I’ll sleep on the couch.”
Avalyn’s breath was coming too fast. She clung to Bridger’s hand and begged, “Please just hold me.”
Bridger’s eyes darkened. He looked her over with such desire and tenderness it made breathing even more difficult. He didn’t say anything, just walked with her to the bed. Slipping off his shirt and his shoes, he turned the bed down and waited while she slid off her sandals and climbed in, still wearing her sundress.
He climbed in after her, wrapping his strong arms around her and cradling her against his chest like a priceless artifact. She wanted him to hold her tighter, but she’d take whatever strength she could glean from him.Bridger is strong. He’ll protect me. She repeated those words over and over again.
Bridger brushed his lips across her forehead. “It’ll be okay, Ava,” he whispered. “It’ll be okay.”
Avalyn knew he couldn’t assure that, but his confidence and his strength flowed into her. They hadn’t escaped, and they probably wouldn’t. Tomorrow loomed terrifying and much too close, but Bridger would protect her. She had to believe that or she’d crumble completely.
ChapterEleven
Avalyn woke to the sun streaming across the bed through the blind she’d left open yesterday afternoon. Bridger’s beautifully formed arms were still wrapped around her back so she was cuddled into his chest. She could hardly believe she’d slept, but now, all the fears of last night resurfaced a hundredfold. Her breathing came faster and faster.
Bridger’s arms tightened around her. “It’s okay, Ava. Calm down, just calm down.”
Avalyn tried to listen. She tried to focus on his muscular chest pressed close to her. She tried to pray. Nothing helped.
“Breathe with me,” he murmured, his breath warm against her forehead. “In.” She could feel his chest expand. “And out.” He kept repeating “in and out,” and she followed his breathing technique. Gradually, her body relaxed and she felt like she wouldn’t hyperventilate.
Bridger scooted back a little bit and brushed the hair from her face. He smiled down at her. “You’re so brave and beautiful.”
She stared at him. He was the picture of strength and bravery. “I feel like a complete mess,” she admitted. She’d never felt so helpless and unsure of her future. She was always in control, always doing for others. Right now, she could only think about her own miserable doom.
“So do I.”
Her eyes widened at his admission.
“But we’ll get through it together.”
Together. Avalyn didn’t know that she and Bridger could ever truly be together, but she needed him. She’d never needed a man like she needed Bridger. Not just to protect her during the challenges, but to hold her, to breathe with her, to make her smile when there seemed to be no reason to smile.
“Do you trust me, Ava?” His gaze held her captive.
Avalyn swallowed, not sure how to answer. She trusted him to protect her, to give his life for her if necessary, but she still didn’t trust him with her heart. She didn’t know that she ever could. “I trust you to protect me,” she finally said.
Bridger’s gaze sharpened. He knew what she was holding back, and he didn’t like it.
A rap came at the door, and then the lock turned and the door opened. “Mr. Hawk? Miss Shaman?”
Bridger released her and sat up. Avalyn followed his lead, sitting up in the bed and staring at the guards, different men than the ones they’d confronted last night. A young man rolled in a tray of food.
“Thank you,” Bridger said, standing.
One of the guards nodded. “After you eat, please get dressed in comfortable clothes and make sure you wear socks and shoes.”
“Okay.”