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“Well, it was clear on the other side of the island, so I didn’t think it’d be needed. Thought we’d be in and out, not looking for a point of escape.”
“Damn, wish I’d brought a bathing suit.” Stan climbed from the truck bed.
“Everybody inside. We need to figure out sleeping arrangements, guard duty, and a damn plan.” Chris snapped as he shut the truck down and got out.
Dusty grabbed Asia’s bound hands and guided her to the edge of the truck seat. He carefully carried her inside like they were crossing the threshold on their honeymoon. Except her mouth was taped and her arms were bound.
The inside was as gorgeous as the outside. They entered into a living room where leather chairs and couches were arranged in a circle. A fireplace sat to the side, which she assumed was there more for aesthetics than functional use in the hot climate. The room was surrounded by ornate wooden doors that opened to a wraparound patio. Each door had fourteen glass panes that reached up to what must be at least twelve-foot ceilings, accentuated by wooden rafters.
This place would feel like the epitome of a romantic getaway if it weren’t for the fact she’d been kidnapped and brought here against her will. Instead, for her, the seclusion of the place felt more like an inescapable fortress.
Dusty plopped her on a loveseat, and she quickly twisted her body into a sitting position.
The other men took seats, but Dusty sat on the loveseat next to her. She wasn’t sure if he wanted to be near or if he just wanted her within arm’s reach because he thought she’d attempt another run.
“What are the options?” Grady clasped his hands together, his elbows resting on his legs.
“We can’t fly out. All the pads will be watched, and even if we tried to land something on a beach or open area, they’ll be watching the skies.
“Not to mention he obviously has quite a few people on this island in his pocket,” Stan commented as he rested his arms across the back of the chair.
“Well, that only leaves a boat.” Dusty leaned forward.
“They’ll be watching the water, too, so we’ll have to move at night. We’ll need a boat that can go the distance and transportation waiting wherever we dock, so we can hightail it out of dodge.” Chris rubbed his hand across his beard like he was lost in thought. “I need to make some calls. Get the logistics in order so we can get the hell out of here. In the meantime, you boys find spots to rest and a place for Asia.”
“There’s a room upstairs that would be pretty easy to secure.” Grady pointed to the hall where a sliver of staircase could be seen.
“Great, get her settled. And Dusty and Stan, you boys get first watch.”
Dusty took Asia’s face in his hands, turning her to look into his dark brown eyes. “If I take this tape off your mouth, are you going to scream?”
Asia shook her head a little frantically.
“Okay, but if you do so much as yell, you’ll be sleeping bound. Do you understand?”
She nodded, her eyes never leaving his.
He tried to remove it carefully, but she still winced as he pulled it off her lips.
“Sorry,” he grunted, then freed her hands as well.
“Why are you doing this?” she whispered.
“Let’s get upstairs, and I’ll explain everything to you.” He bent down, lifting her into his arms. The warmth of his rock-solid chest made her almost want to rest her head, but stubbornness made her refuse to relax. There was a time when she would have loved to be held in his arms, but that time was dead and gone. Her head believed it. Now why couldn’t she get her body to behave?
He opened a set of wooden double doors, revealing a gorgeous room. A four-poster bed sat against one wall, an armoire stood tall on one side of the bed, and a small side table on the other. Another fireplace sat between two sets of doors that led to a wide balcony. She could glimpse the moon reflecting on the Caribbean Sea and knew the view would be magical.
Dusty set her gently on the bed, and that’s when she realized maybe she should be worried about his intent. She quickly scooted to the headboard and struggled to sit up.
“Calm down, let me help you.” He grabbed her by the shoulders and lifted her into a sitting position. Then he pulled a pocketknife from his cargo pants and cut through her bindings.
“Why are you doing this?” Asia repeated her earlier question as she rubbed the soreness in her wrists.
“Your brother called me.”
That stunned her. “Carter? Why would he call you?”
“Because you’ve been practically a missing person. No one could get a hold of you, and they were concerned, especially when you even cut off communication with your best friend. Emily said she went to Peyton Towers and wasn’t allowed to see you.”
