A similar rolling cart like the one that came into her and Bridger’s room was stacked with trays. Ramsey didn’t say much as he offered her food and ate himself, but his grin never disappeared. The awful tension made her jumpy, and her stomach twisted so badly that she could only eat a little bit of each dish. She prayed in her mind desperately for help and protection, but the heavens seemed as silent as this room.
“Did you get enough to eat?” he asked, looking pointedly at her still-full plate.
“Yes,” she muttered.
Ramsey stood. He eased closer to her like a jaguar stalking his prey. Reaching down, he grabbed one of her hands before she could pull it away and tugged her to her feet. His smooth palms felt like a snake against her bare skin. He looked her over carefully.
“Now.” His voice lowered. “I have to know the answer to one question before we proceed.”
Avalyn could hardly breathe, let alone talk. “What?” she spat out, tilting her chin as if she were royalty. Her mind spun with which self-defense moves she should lead with. She doubted she could beat him, but she would try to hurt him like he was going to hurt her.
“Our boy loves you.”
Avalyn had been touched deeply when Bridger had said that, but she didn’t know if it was a ploy to soften Ramsey or if it could really be true. Could Bridger Hawk truly love her and settle down to one woman? Why was she worrying about that when she was facing Ramsey?
“The question is—do you love him too?”
Avalyn’s eyes widened. She studied Ramsey. Why would he care? He was going to take advantage of her regardless. There was no reason to lie, though. She tilted her chin up and said, “Yes, I do.”
Ramsey chuckled, bobbing his head several times. “That’s beautiful. It’s just beautiful.”
Avalyn’s stomach swirled with nausea. Ramsey thought it was beautiful because he was going to hurt her so he could beat Bridger. He was so sick and twisted. She would fight to her last breath; that she knew for certain. He could possess her body but never her mind.
He released her hand and gestured toward the door. “Go.”
Avalyn backed up a step, eyeing him. She felt like a deer in a hunter’s spotlight, unsure which direction to run and ready to be gunned down at any minute. Was he being serious? A flutter of hope rose in her chest, but she didn’t dare trust it and especially didn’t dare trust Ramsey. Everything had been a twisted game since he’d kidnapped her.
“You’re an impressive woman, Avalyn Shaman. I love your bravado and your charitable heart. I think you’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen.”
Avalyn’s heart was racing out of control. She didn’t need or want Ramsey’s compliments, and she was terrified they meant he was going to enjoy hurting her.
That twisted smile grew on his face. He looked her over, then chuckled. The sound scraped over her like the edge of a knife being dragged along her skin. “But I would never want to touch the woman who was truly in love with Bridger Hawk.” He winked at her.
Avalyn’s breath rushed out. She still wasn’t certain what kind of ploy this could be. Ramsey wouldn’t allow Bridger to win, let her escape, would he?
Ramsey walked to the door and pulled it open. Two guards were standing there. “Please escort Miss Shaman back to her suite.”
The guards nodded and stepped back. Avalyn looked to Ramsey, waiting for the trick.
He simply smiled at her and said, “Enjoy your night with my friend. I think you’ll like tomorrow’s challenge. You aren’t even involved.”
She blinked at him. This evil man had just preserved her virtue and told her she could go to Bridger. She didn’t wait to be told again. “Thank you,” she whispered. She hurried past him and the guards and out into the hallway, then down the stairs. Her speed picked up as she reached the main area.
“Bridger!” she yelled. Relief rushed through her, and the anticipation of being in his arms made her legs weak. She pressed on toward the hallway where her and Bridger’s suite was. Ramsey had let her go. Soon she’d be in Bridger’s arms. She hadn’t felt such joy since she’d been kidnapped three days ago.
“Bridger,” she called out again.
She heard the guards running behind her chuckle. She smiled too, not caring if they were laughing at her or with her. Bridger was all that mattered now.
ChapterSixteen
Bridger slammed into the door more times than he could count. His shoulder was throbbing and he was making no progress. He slid to the floor, despondent and nauseous. For a very long time, the only sounds he heard were his ragged breathing and his painfully thumping heartbeat.
Avalyn. What was she enduring at Ramsey’s hands while he sat here in this rejected stupor? How could he give up on saving her? He drew in a steadying breath and said a lengthy prayer for Avalyn’s protection and help from above. With effort, he stood and spoke to the guards through the door. “Guys, please. What if it was your girlfriend or wife?”
The silence on the other side was deafening. What had Ramsey done to gain such allegiance from his men? Bridger had liked the man before this nightmare, but now he thought he was a psychotic sadist. Money couldn’t buy the loyalty Ramsey had with these men. Yet there had to be something, some way for Bridger to break through their shields.
He slammed his head against the door, then hung it, shame and despair fighting within him. How could he fail Avalyn like this? “Please.” It came out as a croaked whisper. He cleared his throat and tried again so they could hear him. “Please help her. Think if it was your wife, your girlfriend, your sister, your niece.”