Chapter 11

Chapter

Eleven

Elizabeth clung to the handle of a ‘rope swing' standing about ten feet above the water on a grassy shelf.

She had never seen such a contraption. A long rope was attached to a tree branch, and Easton had demonstrated how to hold on to the wooden handle and swing out over the water, let go, and then land in the water. The cowboy had taken it to the next level and flipped his body in the air before plunging in with a terrific splash.

A fun adventure. She'd never been able to try ‘fun adventures.' Honestly, she hadn't spared the time to think about such a thing.

"Your turn," Easton called, treading water below her.

"Are you ready?" Hays asked from far too close for her state of mind.

Her Superman had not only forgiven her for the horrific beating he'd taken at her hands, but had apologized for not coming for her. She'd ruined that moment by telling him she wouldn't have left with him. If only she could escape with him now, but she was the only one who knew her father well enough to fight him and had nothing to lose if she died. Only Hays.

"I'm worried I won't be able to hang on," she admitted, her grip already slick against the handle.

"Do you want me to hold you the first time?"

"Hold me?" she asked, turning to stare at him.

He gave her a smile that made her stomach flip over. Then he slipped his shirt off and bent to untie his shoes, and her stomach did more than flip. It danced. Hays's upper body was strong and muscled. The only men she'd been close to, besides her bodyguards, were the older businessmen type. Not a man who actually used his muscle and his brains to protect and serve others.

The smooth, tanned skin of Hays's upper body begged her to reach out and touch him. So she did. She released the handle of the rope swing and placed her hand on Hays's muscular shoulder, awed by how incredible he looked and felt. He glanced up, and his eyes filled with desire for her.

"You let go of the rope," Easton called.

"Forgive me." She blushed and turned from Hays.

Hays chuckled softly. He undid the holster around his waist and set it and his pistol on top of his shirt lying on the ground. Then he slid a knife and cell phone out of his pocket and set them with the pistol. She had always been terrified of guns and knives. In her world, those weapons were only used to torture and kill to gain more power or eliminate anyone not aligning their will with her father's. She shivered at the memories.

Then Hays straightened and smiled at her. He looked the epitome of a hero, but she'd seen other ultra-handsome and well-built men who possessed none of Hays's qualities. Hays was loyal, thoughtful, and good all the way through. With Hays, the same weapons that inflicted death and agony were used to protect the innocent. Just as he'd proven by defeating Peter with his fists, she could imagine he was an expert with guns or knives.

Hays grabbed the long stick with a hook that was propped against the tree and reached out for the rope, bringing it back to their grasp. Holding onto it with one hand, he said, "Climb up on my back and we'll swing out together."

That idea felt even more wild than doing a rope swing in the middle of the day fully clothed. Her heart raced at the mere idea of climbing on his back.

"If you're certain you can hold me and swing safely."

"Liz." His voice was husky and enticing. "I've climbed up hundred-foot ropes, swung one-handed over the enemies' heads, traveled through trees like Tarzan, and scaled cliffs, all while returning fire and wearing gear that weighs more than you do."

"Oh, my." It was easy to forget that underneath his clean-cut exterior and kind manner was a Swiss army knife of manly attributes. Without much effort, she could picture him in each scenario, thrilling and horrifying. How had he survived? No wonder he could best Peter like he had. Hays was a hero in every sense of the word.

"We've got this." His smile came then, and she was faint.

"Okay," she managed. Moving around behind him, she wrapped her hands around the top of his shoulders and quivered at the sensation of touching his smooth flesh and muscles.

"Hop up and wrap your legs around me," he encouraged.

"Oh, my," she breathed.

He glanced back with a grin that undid her completely. "Knock knock."

"Who's there?"

"Needle."

"Needle who?"

"Needle help right now to get you on my back."

She smiled and shook her head at him. Then she used her hands to propel her and jumped, wrapping her legs around his waist.

He caught her securely with his free hand wrapping around her left leg. She leaned into his broad back and her hands slid over his shoulders and around the bulging muscles of his chest. He groaned softly and tightened his grip on her leg.

Oh, my. This was either a brilliant idea or insanity. She hadn't experienced thrills like this except with him, yet she was also safer than she'd ever been.

He clung to the rope with his right hand and glanced over his shoulder at her. "Are you ready to fly and then swim with Superman, Liz?"

"Superman or Tarzan?" she teased, breathless from being pressed so tightly to him, the anticipation of the rope swing, and the meaningful look in his deep-brown eyes. "You have to hold on with both hands."

His smile grew. "I'm strong enough to hold us both with one."

"You are?" He'd said he'd swung over the enemies' heads with one hand while returning fire. She didn't want him in danger, ever, but her Superman was proving himself capable of defeating untold enemies, even Peter.

He chuckled, but then his eyes grew resolute. "Of course I am. Do you trust me, Liz?"

She studied him and knew this was about much more than a quick thrill and a rope swing. "I do, Hays. I always have." She didn't know how he trusted her after being beaten by her guards fourteen years ago, but he'd been the first one to step up and say he believed her, and he'd forgiven her.

"Good. Hold on."

He launched them off the ledge. They swung out and up. Elizabeth clung to him and cried out, stomach pitching and happiness filling her. She giggled like she never had as a child. Hays let go of the handle and wrapped his hands around both of her legs, somehow angling their bodies straight down at the water.

She heard Easton whoop as they plunged into the cold water. It was every bit as cold as Jacey and Cade's lake had been, but the sun was shining and this time she didn't have to be without her Superman for a moment. They only sank for a few moments, then Hays's strong legs kicked and they rose to the surface. Breaking through the water, she gasped in the warmer outside air.

"Yes!" Easton called out.

Hays released his grip on her legs and swung her around so she was pressed against his chest. He treaded water with his legs and one hand, the other arm securing her against him. She clung to his broad back, catching her breath and blinking water out of her eyes. Being pressed close to Hays was more thrilling than any adventure.

"Did you like it?" he asked.

"I loved it."

"Do you want to go on your own next time?"

"Now why would I do that when my Superman can hold me?" she asked, winking at him.

"Hooyah," Hays called out, the look in his dark eyes meaningful.

Elizabeth was letting down her guard. It wasn't smart as her father's men could find them at any moment, but those fears were far removed with Hays holding her close.

"Hooyah," Easton repeated. "That was clutch! Let's do it again."

Hays swam her to the edge and helped her out of the water. They did the rope swing three more times. She went on her own once. It was fun, but nothing was as exhilarating as clinging to Hays's back as they swung over the water and plunged in together. She wanted to plunge with him, cling to him, for the rest of her life. The darkness and depravity of her life made that impossible. Enjoying these moments was the only choice she had.

An hour later, they sat on the bank of the lake for a few minutes, enjoying the sunshine and drying off a bit. Elizabeth was dirty, mud and grass clinging to her outfit and legs. She was out of her element and in horrific danger, yet she'd never felt so relaxed, free, and happy. It was all thanks to this specimen of a man who she'd loved all her life. Why had he never married? Had he never moved on from her either? If only they could someday be together. But that would never be fair to him.

Hays reached over and squeezed her hand. "Knock knock."

"Who's there?"

"Tank."

He'd used this one on her before, but she played along. "Tank who?"

"You're welcome." His grin was enticing.

"How'd you guess I wanted to thank you?"

"That look in your gorgeous blue eyes."

"Do you believe I'll thank you after you kiss me?" she asked, shocking herself at her boldness. She shouldn't have let down her guard like that.

"Definitely." His eyes deepened with a smolder that filled her with heat. He eased closer. Elizabeth wanted to savor every aspect of Hays. Especially kissing him. It wasn't fair to him, but at the moment she was as selfish as she'd ever been. She leaned up to meet his lips.

"All right. I feel like the most awkward third wheel here," Easton drawled out.

"Apologies, my friend," Hays said easily. "I lose my mind when Liz is close."

"No apology necessary. If Elizabeth Oliver looked at me like she does you, I'd make anybody awkward who was stupid enough to tag along with us."

They both laughed.

"You're our guide, not tagging along," Elizabeth said.

"Not much better." Easton jumped to his feet, then told Hays, "I want to see you swim up the river."

"Let's do it." Hays stood and helped Elizabeth up. They slid their shoes back on. Hays and Easton both strapped on their pistols and slid knives and cell phones back into their pockets. Elizabeth's feet were gritty against the Chaco sandals. How strange it felt to be dirty. She'd experienced loads of emotional discomfort and even some physical pain with how hard her personal trainers pushed her, but not dirt and gritty discomfort. She liked it. She felt like a normal, average person. A woman who could let herself fall in love with the most appealing man in the world.

Unfortunately that wasn't true, but she wanted to feel all these feels in this safe, down-home atmosphere.

They followed the river downstream for maybe a quarter of a mile until they came to the tall fence. Elizabeth couldn't see through the slats. She arched back to view the vicious-looking barbed wire decorating the top. This fence was reassuring. Swiss Fort Knox? Not quite, but the Colevilles really were serious about their security.

Easton placed a call to tell whoever was manning the security center and explained what they were doing so nobody came and tried to shoot Hays. Elizabeth's heart thumped quicker. She couldn't stand even the suggestion of someone shooting Hays, and that might be a reality far too soon. The fence and the phone call brought reality back. Not something she welcomed, but she couldn't escape her fate for long.

"I'll see you soon," Hays said to her, his deep-brown gaze reassuring.

"What if you drown?" she asked, looking at the fast-moving river.

"How could Superman drown?"

Elizabeth smiled, but it was terrifying to think of him being hurt or drowned just trying to prove to Easton that they needed even more defenses than this ranch already had. She appreciated his diligence, but did he need to risk himself?

"Liz." He cupped her waist with his palm and fire immediately filled her. "I promise I have performed much more dangerous stunts in water than swimming down then up this river. I told you how many times I've swung or climbed wearing gear heavier than you and returning fire at the enemy. Those are mild feats in comparison to what I can accomplish in the water."

Her heart fluttered. "You truly are Superman."

"I am." His smile was beautiful but brief. "I swear to you I will be safe, and I will keep you safe." His gaze was intense. "You believe me?"

How could she say no?

"I do," she said. At this moment, she believed him and her own words, but her father wasn't here. As soon as he found them, all faith in Hays or anyone's ability to keep her safe would disappear.

"All right," Easton said. "They've got a camera focused on the fence going over the river instead of rotating like it normally does. Let's do this."

"All right." Hays slipped off his shirt, shoes, pistol, knife, and cell phone again. Elizabeth could at least distract herself from her concerns by gaping at his beautiful build. Every other fit man she'd known always wore tight shirts that accentuated their muscles. Hays had no need for pomp or showiness. It was all about what was on the inside for him.

"You'll be okay without me for a few minutes?" he asked Elizabeth.

He was serious. She loved his concern. She loved him, even if she could never fully give her heart to him.

"Yes. Easton will watch over me."

"I will," Easton pledged.

"I'll see you both soon."

Hays ran a few steps, launched himself up, arched, and dove smoothly into the churning river.

"He'll hit his head," she cried out.

"He's too good for that," Easton said, pointing.

She saw his long body angling down low in the river like he was a man with gills. He moved with the current, making quick progress downriver. He was a work of art; she only wished the water didn't distort and hide him from her. When he disappeared under the fence, she held her breath. Where was he? She rushed toward the fence but was yanked to a stop by Easton's hand on her arm.

"Don't touch it. It's electric."

"Oh." She stopped and waited. Easton had bragged about the electric fence at their ranch, but with her concern over Hays she hadn't thought about it.

Another minute passed, no sign of him coming back upstream.

"Liz," Hays called from the other side of the fence.

"Hays," she yelled. He'd made it down the river.

"I'll be back in a moment."

"Hurry," she urged, though this part would be the difficult feat.

"For you I will."

Her heart thumped quicker.

Easton smiled at her. "He is whooped over you."

She only smiled back. It made her heart soar to think Hays was gone over her, but they had no future together.

They heard a splash, and she hurried toward the edge of the river, searching for his body in the powerful current.

The sun sparkling on the river made it hard to see, but she caught a glimpse of him down low. With quick, precise breast strokes, Hays progressed through the river current, so deep she could barely make out his strong form.

He cleared underneath the fence and kept going up the river. She and Easton walked along the riverbank with him until he angled for the bank and finally popped up at the edge. His body glistened. He was beautiful.

"That was insane," Easton called out. "I've never seen someone swim like that or hold their breath that long."

"Thank you." He grinned and looked at her.

"Absolutely impressive, Superman," she said.

"He's Aquaman not Superman," Easton interjected.

Elizabeth smiled. She'd never seen either show but had glimpsed magazine articles and ads during the news. "No. Hays is too pure and kind for Aquaman."

Hays met her gaze and she hoped he knew that his purity and kindness were the best qualities a man could possess.

Easton's phone buzzed. He answered it as Hays climbed up the bank and approached them. His lean and impressive build appealed to her, but his thoughtfulness and diligence in protecting her was even more appealing.

"They didn't see you on the cameras," Easton said to Hays.

"And if I can make that swim, guaranteed her father will find mercenaries who can too. And let's not forget hand-held propellers and scuba tanks like we use on missions. They could get all the way to the lake without us knowing they've breached the property."

Easton's jaw was slack. He rubbed at it. "A metal grate extending to the bottom of the river, then?"

"As soon as you can install it," Hays said. "And more cameras angled at this spot and upriver and at the lake. They could exit anywhere."

Easton nodded. "Do you two feel up to doing a perimeter walk with me? Assessing any other spots we can beef up?"

Hays looked to Elizabeth.

"I'd like to keep walking," she said. She wanted to be close to him no matter what.

They walked for over an hour. Hays found other security gaps. Most of them involved trees that could be utilized to get over the fence and a couple spots where the fence butted up against the mountain that could be a worry with good climbing gear.

After their walk, they went back to the main house to shower and have lunch. Hays and Jared spent time in the security office discussing different weak points and how to address them. Elizabeth sat in on the meeting, impressed by Hays's knowledge. The man was a wealth of hidden talents. Everything about him made her feel safe.

They talked with Quaid again. Elizabeth had been searching her mind for any other information that could help him and shared some more people associated with Father for Quaid to relay to his FBI contacts and some other offshore properties Father owned through shadow companies.

Nothing had been said to the media about Elizabeth's disappearance yet. There were a couple of obscure articles mentioning Benjamin Oliver attending events without his daughter for the first time in years. Her father lied that she was dealing with some health issues and asked for prayers to restore her health soon.

Smart. As always. Health issues could last as long as he wanted, and he could even kill her off with them. She knew he wouldn't. The one mistake her father had made in his life was pinning all of his hopes of a presidential win on her. If he killed her, he'd have to groom another candidate or run himself. Either option would take years he didn't have.

Elizabeth pitched in to help with dinner and Easton and Walker teased her when she didn't know how to cut something properly, proclaiming she was ‘just like Jacey,' an ultra-wealthy beauty who was willing to work. Hays didn't say much about that, but his gaze said he appreciated her willingness to help.

Sheriff Clint came to eat and after dinner they went ‘target shooting'. It was impressive to watch all the men shoot bulls' eyes with different shapes and sizes of guns. She'd never heard a bullet retort without feeling deaf and horrified for days. The ear protection Clint had given her to wear muffled the sound and the goodness of these men eradicated the usual feelings of fear.

Hays walked toward her as the men continued to shoot. He tugged her a fair distance away and pulled out one of the plugs in his ear, lifting off the heavy muffs she wore. "Would you like to shoot?" he asked.

She could only stare at him. Her? Shoot a gun? She'd never been allowed power like that. Staring into his deep brown eyes, she wondered how many gifts Hays was capable of giving her. Freedom, safety, exhilaration, joy, fun adventures, and now the ability to protect herself?

"I would love to," she said.

He grinned and nodded. He took out his pistol and explained how the safety and magazine worked. He helped her hold it properly and aim at a tree trunk the other direction from their cowboy friends.

"Ready to try?" he asked.

She nodded, forcing a bravery she didn't feel, but she didn't move as Hays turned toward the shooting range. What if aiming a gun at a target made her feel like the monster her father and mother had tried to turn her into? They'd never demanded she kill anyone, but she'd been forced to watch many times. She trembled and bit her lip.

Hays turned back to her, lifting an eyebrow.

"Hays," she admitted. "I'm scared."

"You don't have to do this."

"I want to. I want the tools to protect myself."

He studied her, then nodded. "What can I do to help?"

"Can you steady me while I shoot?"

"Of course."

He put her ear protection back on, studying her very seriously as he did so. Elizabeth wished they could be alone and talk for hours, plan a future … but what would that accomplish besides more pain when they had to separate again?

Hays directed her next to Clint Coleville, who nodded to them both. His blue eyes were serious but approving. She liked all these cowboys, but Easton and Walker were easier to let her guard down around. Clint had something in his blue eyes that was familiar—agony. She didn't want to relate, but she did. So she kept her distance from him.

She couldn't hear Hays with the thick ear protection on, but she could feel him. He placed the pistol in her hand and eased behind her. Wrapping his large arms around her, he steadied her and guided her as she aimed and shot half a dozen times. His warm breath on her forehead distracted her, but with his help she hit the center of the target several times.

She should insist she shoot on her own, as she'd done everything on her own her entire life. Hays's strength surrounding her, his presence comforting her, and his very being titillating her senses were too enticing. For now, she'd let him surround her. Soon she'd be fighting alone once again, and this time with him would have to carry her through at least another fourteen years without him. Most likely a lifetime alone.