She’s here with me.
While neither of us is out of harm’s way—yet—for now, she’s safe.
And I intend to keep her that way, protected.
Letting go of her feels wrong, but I back away, heading for the closet, searching the empty space, not finding anything I can use. There is a dresser and desk, both of which are also empty; the drawers contain not even a hint of dust.
“What are you looking for?” Harper asks.
“A screwdriver, knife, something I might be able to use to pry that contraption off without hurting you.”
I make sure that the camera hidden on my shirt gets a good view of the device. I want Rhys and the others to see it, to know that it needs to come off when we escape.
I’m not foolish enough to think there won’t be a bloodbath in this place, but I won’t let anything happen to Harper.
“I don’t remember them putting it on me, I was unconscious—drugged,” she whispers and grimaces. “It’s been a hell of a day—two days, is it?”
I stride across the room, my hand instantly on her cheek, caressing her as she stares up at me with a worried gaze.
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” I say.
It’s a promise.
A vow.
She nods into my touch, her eyelids flutter closed for a fraction of a second, and her warm arms envelop my body, crushing me.
“Please tell me you didn’t come alone,” she whispers against my ear.
I want to tell her that our friends are just outside, planning and helping aid in our escape. But I can’t help but worry the room is bugged and we have no privacy.
Even without the cameras, I can’t know without a doubt that no one can eavesdrop on our conversation. And while I want to reassure her that Rhys, Ashton, and the others are devising a plan, I can’t say the words aloud.
There’s no pen or paper within the confines of the room.
No way for me to pass notes to her.
I smile wordlessly, hoping she understands. I press a finger to my lips to warn her that I don’t trust that we’re alone.
Technically, Rhys and the others are watching us, but that isn’t what gives me reason to pause. It’s that Livia and her men likely have hidden surveillance equipment tucked into the room. If there was one camera, there’s likely to be more.
“Well, that sucks,” she mutters, her eyes twinkling with mirth.
Harper understands to play along.
Good girl.
The bedroom door swings open without warning, and Livia stands with two guards at her side at the entrance to the bedroom door. “Bring the girl to me,” she commands.
I shove Harper behind me, doing everything possible to protect her.
“Take me instead.” I step forward, blocking the door and Harper from being dragged out of the room.
Livia laughs, the sound making my stomach plummet as she tilts her head, sizing me up. “Sweet offer, but you can’t give us what we need.”
The guard on the left steps forward, shoving me aside and stands, blocking my way as the other guard grabs Harper’s arm, forcing her to come with him.
“Leave my wife alone!” I shout at the guard, grabbing the weapon he’s holding slung across his chest and reaching for the gun trigger.
