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“Don’t worry, Rory. We’ll help you,” Oliver says, squeezing my hand.
A new panic creeps in. Even though the top of my dress is torn and tattered, the long skirt is still intact and restricting my movements. I have no idea how I’ll be able to climb the wall even with my mates helping me.
We come to a stop beside a tall oak tree. Looking up, I wonder if I’d be able to climb up its wide-spreading branches and use the height to scale the wall.
“Come on, love,” Seth says, breaking me out of my thoughts. “Climb on my back.”
“Huh?”
Seth bends his knees and grins at me. “Hop on.”
“Seriously?” I whisper, staring between him and Oliver. “You’re going to try climbing this tree with me hanging from your back?”
“Yep.” He slaps his shoulder. “Don’t look so worried, Rory. I have carried heavier men than you and crossed rougher terrain. Climbing over this wall is not a big deal for me. Just remember to hang on tight, okay?”
Oliver nods and grins encouragingly. “I’ll be right behind you, so don’t worry about falling down.”
I slowly approach Seth. Positioning myself behind him, I wrap my arms around his neck.
He straightens up, easily pulling my weight as I hang off his shoulders. My legs go around his waist and soon, I’m clinging onto him like a monkey.
“Ready?” Seth says.
“I think so.”
“Okay, here goes. Just hold on tight, love.” With that, he moves toward the tree.
Seth’s agility surprises me as he jumps on the spot and grabs hold of a thick branch. I marvel at his strength as he pulls himself onto it with me clinging to his back.
He steadily climbs the higher branches until he reaches the ledge of the wall.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
Seth is not even panting! For the first time, I’m realizing how strong he truly is.
“Hey, Princess,” Oliver’s voice distracts me before I can answer Seth. To my surprise, he’s crouched right beside us.
“When did you get up here?” I whisper.
“Right about the time you kept your eyes squeezed shut,” he says, chuckling hard.
“Get onto the car’s roof and help her down,” Seth says in a commanding tone.
“Sure,” says Oliver and lightly leaps off the wall. His shoes barely make any noise as he lands on the car’s roof. Straightening up, he gestures at me. “Come on down, darling.”
“Rory, I need you to let go now,” Seth says. “Be very careful as you place your feet on the ledge. Keep holding onto me for support if you need to.”
“Okay,” I whisper as I slowly unwrap my arms from around his neck.
A gust of cold wind makes my skirt fly backward, making me lose my balance. With a gasp, I grab Seth’s arm, trying to steady my feet on the wall’s ledge.
“You’re okay,” Seth says gently as he stands still while my nails dig into his forearm.
I take a shuddering breath and look down.
Some of my panic dissipates as I see our car stationed right beneath us. It’s only a short drop from the wall onto its roof.
“Come on, Princess,” Oliver says, drawing my attention to him. He’s standing with his arms wide open, waiting for me to jump.
