They all walked out, shutting and locking the door behind them.
Avalyn stood and stretched. She wanted to shower and then sleep for another few hours in Bridger’s arms again, if possible. She shook her head; she was getting way too invested in him. He was an amazing man and he was here for her now, but she knew nothing would last beyond this nightmare, if they ever escaped from it.
She felt eyes on her and glanced at Bridger. He was staring unabashedly at her. When she met his gaze, he averted his and gestured toward the food.
Avalyn followed his lead and sat at the table. Her stomach tumbled from the apprehension of the day. Last night in the dark, safe in Bridger’s arms, she could somewhat push today away, but now it was here. She tried to think about the children, wonder what Sadie, who ran the orphanage she was supposed to be at in Belize, was doing with the children right now. Maybe serving them breakfast, helping the older ones get ready for school. Sadly, Avalyn’s mind returned quickly to the terror from yesterday as Ramsey had pushed her off the yacht.
Bridger claimed Ramsey didn’t want to kill her, that he’d brought a knife to cut her loose in the ocean and helped Bridger get her back to the yacht. She didn’t know if she believed that, and she knew all about the risks of extreme sports. Her Bridger obsession had led her to research the chances of death and injury in each of the sports he participated in. It had been sobering and terrifying, another reason she tried to not fall in love with the man. And now she was thrust in the middle of those alarming statistics. Even worse, she was relying on someone else to save her.
She picked at her eggs and fruit while Bridger scarfed down an omelet, toast, and a banana and drank several glasses of milk. “How can you eat?” she asked.
Bridger looked at her, his dark eyes filled with concern. “I’m going to need all my strength.”
She swallowed hard and looked away.
Bridger stood and then dropped to his knees next to her. He grabbed both of her hands in his. Avalyn’s breath popped out of her. He looked so handsome and intense as he studied her. She’d never seen Bridger serious like he’d been last night and this morning. “I won’t let him have you, Ava,” he said, “and I won’t let you die.”
Avalyn bit at her lip. She felt like some queen whose best knight was promising to give his all for her. But Bridger was so much more to her than any loyal subject. She wanted to kiss him, which was insane. Who had time for kissing and thoughts of love when they were in the middle of a nightmare like this?
Bridger’s gaze brimmed with determination and a deep commitment to her. Was it possible Bridger might truly love her? Love her even beyond Ramsey’s insane challenges? Her heart expanded and ached to let him in at the same time.
The door lock clicked and then swung open. The guard cleared his throat. “It’s time.”
Bridger studied her for a few more beats, then stood and pulled her up with him. “You can get dressed in the bathroom.”
She nodded and hurried into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her and leaning against it as she tried to catch her breath. Her heart was in as much danger from Bridger as it was from death. Normally, Bridger was hilarious and carefree; right now, he was serious and focused on protecting her. She’d never seen this side of him, and though she hated the circumstances, she liked knowing that he could and would rise to the occasion when it was necessary. Yet if they ever made it back to the real world, would he simply go back to his playboy ways? She liked his sense of humor, but not his lack of commitment and his disregard for his own safety.
She forced herself to open her suitcase and pull out a sports bra, a neoprene T-shirt, and some running tights. She slid into them and put on socks and running shoes. Then she brushed the taste of the eggs off her teeth and secured her long hair in a ponytail. She didn’t waste time on makeup, not caring if she looked good for Ramsey’s stupid video.
When she opened the door, Bridger was waiting in a fitted T-shirt and cotton shorts. He extended his hand to her, giving her a forced smile. She walked to him, wanting to be strong, but the tension inside her and around them grew with each second. Yesterday she’d almost drowned. What did Ramsey have planned today? She blocked it out. If she allowed herself to think about it, she’d crumple to the floor and sob.
She took Bridger’s hand, his warm fingers surrounding hers, giving her the security she needed to put one foot in front of the other and keep her spine straight.
“You look like my dream woman,” Bridger murmured. “Have you met her?”
Avalyn laughed. “What?”
Bridger gave her the infuriating smirk that had always drawn her in. “Yeah, her name’s Avalyn Shaman, but I like to call her Ava Baby.”
Avalyn shook her head at him, grateful he could still tease and somewhat distract her from their impending doom.
They followed the guards down the hallway, through the main areas, and outside. A tropical island rose out of the water maybe a quarter mile away. They ascended the stairs, the whir of the helicopter blades growing louder and louder. Avalyn’s stomach churned. She enjoyed being in the water, and look how horrific yesterday had turned out. She was absolutely terrified of heights. Maybe they were flying to that island for some kind of challenge. She prayed desperately,Please let it be better than yesterday. She had to trust Bridger and he’d said he didn’t think Ramsey wanted her dead. It sure felt like he did, though.
Bridger helped Avalyn into the helicopter. Ramsey was waiting in a seat, grinning at them. The helicopter door shut behind them, and Avalyn glanced around at the four guards and the pilot.
“Welcome.” Ramsey spread his hands wide. “Take a seat.”
They obeyed, strapping lap belts on. The helicopter rose into the sky, and Avalyn’s stomach took flight with it.
“You’re going to love today.”
“What I love and what you love are very different,” Avalyn said.
Ramsey chuckled. “Obviously. You love Bridger Hawk.” He wrinkled his nose. “Me, not so much.”
How did Ramsey know she loved Bridger? Was she that transparent?
Bridger held on to her hand, looking pointedly at Ramsey. “Call this craziness off, Ramsey. You’ll never get away with it. You’ll be hunted down by the U.S. Government, the U.N., my brothers, Sutton Smith …”