Chapter 4

Chapter

Four

Bee triedto focus and listen as Shawn talked about her charity's focus of providing soil-specific seeds and plants to African countries, teaching them how to plant, cultivate, and harvest, and helping dig wells or ditches to get the water to the crops.

The guy was much too stiff and not very entertaining. She should only care about winning the million dollars and keeping her heart safe from Jag, but she tried to insert funny quips and make the intro for her show a little more fun. Jagger chuckled a couple times and gave her a few appreciative looks. She didn't know how to ignore him or pretend they didn't know each other.

Shawn introduced each of the men—retired Air Force Reconnaissance Lieutenant Paul Braven, Navy SEAL Lieutenant Hays West, and Navy SEAL Captain Jagger Lemuel. He bragged each of them up, ‘glazing' her teenage volunteers would say. Jagger looked very smug when their gazes met, as if she'd doubted he'd reach his dreams. She'd never doubted he would follow through with everything he promised her. Until he had disappeared.

Two things really stood out to her. He was a captain and a Navy SEAL. She'd heard both were very hard to achieve. Shawn also hadn't said ‘retired' in front of Hays or Jagger's titles. So Jagger was still in the military. She wished she knew everything he'd seen and experienced during the past fourteen years. Had he fallen in love again? Had he married? She glanced quickly at his ring finger and caught a full breath when she saw it was empty. But did that mean anything? A lot of the ranchers or horse trainers she knew didn't wear a wedding ring so it wouldn't catch on anything and cause an accident. She could imagine women the world over would jockey and fight for Jagger's attention. Did he give it to them? Make them feel loved and happy, then ditch them? She might still be enthralled with Jagger Lemuel, but she'd never trust him again.

"This week will be a game of high-stakes laser tag," Shawn pronounced.

Bee paid attention.

He held up a round circle. "The shirts waiting for Miss Ralphs to wear each day have these targets sewn into the front and back."

"Yikes. So I'm the target?"

Shawn nodded. Jagger's gaze turned fiery for just a moment, then he looked away. Did he want to chase her?

"You and Lieutenant Braven will leave the house each morning at eight a.m. Jagger and Hays cannot leave until nine." He gave a rare smile as Jagger and Hays groaned. "You've been to the house. There's a nice home gym and an ocean to swim in. You'll be fine."

"Navy SEALs can't stand to wait?" Bee teased.

Jagger snorted and Hays smiled.

"I would bet you know how impatient Jagger is," Hays said.

She did. She really did. And most of the time, she loved it. Jagger gave her that look. The one where he bent forward slightly and looked at her from under his eyelashes. Anybody in the world might be shocked, thinking this incredibly tough man appeared shy or humble, but Jagger would never be shy or humble, and nobody but her was the focus of the look in those eyes—a smoldering heat for her and her alone.

Catching a breath was difficult. Responding was nigh impossible. But she'd insisted they pretend not to know each other.

"I … I'm sure I have no idea," she said, arching an eyebrow and praying she looked impertinent.

Hays looked at his friend. Jagger straightened. His eyes veiled, and he shook his head slightly at his friend. She felt the loss of that look all the way through her body—like being lit up like a Christmas tree, then unplugged and drained completely. All her needles sagged, and her ornaments fell off and shattered on the hardwood floor.

She also realized she, Shawn, and Jagger hadn't taken the time to tell Paul and Hays that she and Jagger didn't know each other. They'd probably figured out something was off by now.

A large jet buzzed overhead. Shawn waited patiently for it to land on the runway and the noise to subside before continuing. Belinda chafed, wanting to get this over with.

"Belinda and Paul, your job is to run, escape, hide, whatever you can do to avoid getting shot. You can ditch your Jeep and get in an Uber, you can grab canoes, kayaks, bikes, hike, swim up a river. You have to keep moving and you can only stay in an Uber or your Jeep to reach a destination. You can't have a driver circle the island all day." He smiled briefly. "Jagger and Hays have until six p.m. to tag you for the day. If they tag you before that, the game is over for that day."

"Sweet," Jagger said. "We'll tag you right after nine a.m. and we can all enjoy a day of exploring Kauai together." He gave her a significant look.

Bee's pulse predictably took off. She'd been trying to think how she could be around him from six p.m. until bedtime. If he had an entire day … she'd be sunk, give into all her longings for him, and then he'd ditch her again.

"Good luck," Paul said drily.

"We won't need it," Hays shot back.

"Oh, boy. Surrounded by alpha males and their egos," Bee joined in.

They all smiled at that. Jagger cracked his knuckles, a huge grin on his handsome face. Cracking his knuckles. Man, that threw her back. She used to grab his hands when he cracked his knuckles to get him to stop. He would tease her that he'd stop so she could hold his hand. She missed him teasing her. She missed holding his hands.

"Okay, what else…" Shawn pursed his lips. "You can't leave the island, so no hiding in the ocean, on a boat, or helicopter."

Bee and Paul both nodded.

"How big is the island?" Paul asked.

"Twenty-five miles long and thirty-three miles at its longest point. You could drive around the entire island in about two hours. Except the Na Pali coastline isn't drivable. So not all the way around." He shrugged.

"Not big," Paul muttered.

"No, and there are no large cities to get lost in, but there are loads of trails, rivers, and waterfalls," Shawn said. "You'll each have a white Jeep in the garage. There are hundreds of white Jeeps on Kauai, so that should help you bled in, but like I said earlier, you can ditch your Jeep for an Uber. You just might want to pick it up after you get tagged so you can escape faster the next morning."

"You're assuming we'll get tagged," Paul said.

"I am." Shawn smirked. "This afternoon, you'll relax and get to know each other."

Bee's stomach tumbled. She knew Jagger too well. At least she used to. If only they could sit and talk, catch up like old friends. She caught his gaze on her and envisioned the ‘talk.' He'd say something and set her off. She'd teasingly push at his chest. He'd catch her hands and pull her in. They'd be kissing before five minutes were up. Her face flushed, and she had to look away.

"Tuesday through Saturday, Jagger or Hays have to tag you each day to win the game."

"So if they miss me tomorrow, the jig is up?"

"Yes." Shawn nodded to her.

"Don't start with the crocodile tears, Bee." Jagger folded his burly arms across his chest. How on earth had his arms gotten so thick and muscular? He'd had a broad frame but lean muscles, borderline too thin, when she knew him. He gave her a smoldering look that probably singed the ends of her hair. "I'll make certain you get to spend the entire week with me."

Bee could only gape at him. Then she remembered … how was that pretending not to know each other?

She rolled her eyes, threw her hip out, and folded her own arms over her chest. "In your dreams, sailor boy."

"You are," he said softly.

Those two words and the meaningful look in his dark eyes hurled her out of any hope of surviving this week. He couldn't mean that. Did he mean that? She dreamed about him often, but she wouldn't tell him that. Especially while the stupid cameras were rolling. She looked at Shawn with a pleading gaze and a grimace.

Shawn nodded and said softly, "Jag."

Jagger glanced at Shawn. Their gazes went through a battle of wills and then Shawn mouthed Mercedes.

Surprisingly, Jagger backed down, looking around the airport as if checking their security. A small plane buzzed overhead.

She knew Shawn was involved with the beautiful and charitable Mercedes Belle. What if Jagger was too? Why would he back down for Mercedes? Because she was his boss or because he loved her? Hadn't they said this was her dying wish? How could Belinda casually bring that up? It was torture not knowing near enough about the man she'd always loved. Ugh. Used to love.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, she recited in her mind. Her faith and her Savior would get her through this.

"Where was I?" Shawn cleared his throat. "If you can survive just one day without getting tagged, you win the million dollars for Gardening Goodness."

"Sweet."

"Lieutenant Braven is here to assist you in any way. The only thing he can't do is place himself directly in front of your back or front to prevent you from getting hit."

Paul nodded that he understood.

"You will all be staying in a villa on Anini Beach. The northwest corner of the island."

"Wait a minute." Belinda held up a hand. "We're all staying together?" Her voice pitched up. Did she shriek? She didn't like when she shrieked, but … come on. She couldn't be sleeping in some ‘villa' with Jagger in the next bedroom over. What if it was a small villa? What if they were stepping on each other's toes all week? Sharing a bathroom? Her face flushed imagining him walking out of their shared bathroom without his shirt on.

"Yes, ma'am." Shawn smiled at her and glanced at Jagger. Jagger's face looked impassive now. Because of the Mercedes reminder? Was he dating her? Why were he and Shawn not at odds if they were both in love with the same woman?

"It's a large villa," Shawn said. "Four suites, so you can all have your privacy."

She'd need that privacy. At least she would have her own bathroom. She put a hand to her forehead. Did she have a fever? Possibly.

"You'll have plenty of space, but please remember that cameras are on in the main areas of the house and the back patio. Anything you say or do will be recorded and could be used on the show."

Belinda grimaced.

"There are no cameras in the bedrooms or bathrooms or down on the beach." Shawn gave her a perceptive smile. Now the guy thought he should find a sense of humor?

No cameras. She wanted Jagger to find her alone without a camera, and she desperately didn't want him to at the same time.

"The fridge is stacked with plenty of options for breakfast and lunch. There are backpacks and small coolers you can pack and cash in the Jeeps to buy food, clothes, rent bikes or canoes, or whatever supplies you may need along the way. Paul will also have a satellite phone for any unforeseen emergencies, navigation, calling an Uber, frantic Google searches of ‘please, Siri, how do I escape from two elite Navy SEALs?'"

The men all cracked up at that. The stiff Viking was a comedian now, eh?

"A delivery service will bring in dinner every evening at six," Shawn continued. "I believe that's all. Oh, more cameras. The Jeeps all have motion-activated cameras in them. You'll have to wear GoPros when you're not in the Jeeps or in the house. Any questions?"

Bee had a million questions, but none that Shawn could answer. Only Jagger. And she was pretending not to know him, so she didn't even let herself look at him. It was a proud moment.

"Mercedes sent a video she wanted me to share and then I'll head out." Shawn held up an iPad, pushed some buttons, and turned the screen so they could view it.

The beautiful, frail, and ashen Mercedes Belle sat in a chair behind a desk, smiling at the camera. "Hello, you incredible people." She clapped her small hands together, her teal-blue eyes lighting up. "Bee … I hope I can call you Bee. I love that nickname."

How did Mercedes know the nickname only Jagger called her? Her family called her Belle. She didn't dare look at Jagger, but she could feel his gaze on her.

"Your charity is incredible—proactive, insightful, inspired. I just adore you and all you've done to fight hunger in Africa. I'm praying you can escape from Jag and Hays and win my money. And Paul … yay you! Captain Aiden Porter raved about you, and I'm so grateful you'd take a week off from your important security world and flying the illustrious Captain Porter around to spend your time with us. Thank you, thank you, you heroic and beautiful man."

She leaned back into the chair as if exhausted from speaking for so long. Drawing in a breath, she murmured, "And Jag. Please forgive me. You know I only did it because of how desperately I love you."

Belinda's gaze whipped to Jagger at those words. As did everyone else's. He shifted and didn't look at anyone. Mercedes loved Jagger. Desperately. Did he love her back? Earlier, Shawn had said something about Mercedes loving Jagger too. Oh, no!

"Mwah." Mercedes blew kisses to the camera. "Hugs and prayers and love and have the best week! I wish I could be there."

The video froze, and Shawn solemnly covered the iPad with its cover. "Good luck, Miss Ralphs. Thank you, Lieutenant Braven." His voice was very formal, and he seemed … sad.

Of course he was sad. The love of his life loved Jagger. Bee knew just how Shawn felt. She was sad too. Devastated.

It wasn't as if she'd imagined Jagger had focused on his military career and never looked at another woman over the past fourteen years. But she secretly had hoped that. Of course Jagger could only fall in love with an incredible, beautiful icon like Mercedes Belle. And was she truly dying? This was too much. She wanted to cry for Mercedes and Jagger and selfishly for herself.

Her shoulders slumped. She was in pain. Lots of pain.

Shawn shook Jagger and Hays's hands, clapping them each on the shoulder, then he loaded up in the jet and was gone. The cameraman went with him.

No cameras. Her heartbeat picked up. What would Jagger say or do? Dredge up the pain of him leaving her? It didn't matter now as he loved Mercedes Belle. If that was true, why did he keep giving her these looks? Was he a cheating jerk? Not her Jagger. He'd been completely loyal to her. Until he'd ditched her.

The four of them turned to face each other. Jagger looked closed off and irritated.

Belinda straightened her shoulders. She couldn't let him see how much she hurt. She should be the irritated one, but she felt too sick at the entire situation.

The silence was uneasy.

"We spent last week with Nick Jacobs," Hays said to Paul. "Incredible man. We both enjoyed getting to know him."

"He is top-notch," Paul agreed.

Bee assumed they were referring to someone who worked with Paul and worked for the illustrious and famous Aiden Porter.

"We both hold Captain Porter in the highest regard," Hays continued.

"As you should," Paul said.

Jagger's brows lifted at that.

"I hope we can all enjoy this week as well," Hays said.

Ah, he was the diplomat of the twosome. Everybody knew diplomacy wasn't Jagger's role. Nobody said anything. Belinda had told Paul her lost love was outside the airplane, then she made a complete spectacle of herself screaming at Jagger. She could only imagine an honorable man like Paul was inclined to protect her and stick up for her.

Also, how were they supposed to ‘enjoy' the week with Jagger and Hays hunting them down each day? She knew how competitive Jagger was. He'd kill himself to win. And it looked like he was winning for Mercedes as well. The famous lady claimed she was praying for Bee to win, but she didn't know if she believed her. She'd stolen Belinda's lifelong love, after all.

"The Jeep's this way," Jagger muttered, gesturing for Belinda to go first.

She strutted past him, swinging her hips, and muttered to herself, "Be patient in tribulation."

"My tribulation or yours?" Jagger asked.

She shot him a dagger look, which made him smile. He'd always quipped back at her quoting the Bible. Did he still not believe and trust in Jesus?

What did she care? He loved Mercedes.

She cared because she loved him and wanted him to be happy. Was he happy with Mercedes? If Mercedes was sickly and dying, Jagger would be devastated.

Pain lanced through her chest. She was finally with Jagger again. After fourteen miserable years.

And he was farther away than he'd ever been.