Chapter 17

Chapter

Seventeen

Elizabeth didn't want to leave the exhilarating safety of Hays's arms when they had to buckle up for landing. It was almost four in the afternoon, but it felt like midnight. As soon as she wasn't touching Hays, all the panic and the horror of being back in her father's power pressed in on her like a weighted blanket thrown over her head. She thought she would suffocate, but Hays took her hand in his and she could breathe again.

Two vehicles waited for them at the private airport, and they drove straight to Jarom Love's home. Hays had her hand in his as they walked to the door, surrounded by Aiden's eight bodyguards.

"Are you nervous?" she asked him.

"Am I nervous?" He glanced down at her. He could point out that her pulse was racing like mad in her neck or her hand trembled against his. He didn't. "I'm Superman. Cool under pressure."

She smiled. If he was by her side, could she face her father again? She'd dealt with her father for all these years, and only her pulse point gave away her terror. This slight reprieve and especially the safety and joy of being near Hays made going back seem beyond the strength she possessed.

"Knock knock," he said.

"Who's there?"

"I'm here, Liz." He gave her a meaningful look that she felt clear through. "And I'll always be here for you."

She arched up and kissed him softly on the lips. Hays slid his arm around her lower back and turned her toward him.

The massive ten-foot door flew open before he could extend the kiss. Disappointment swirled inside her as Jarom Love sprang out the door, Aiden Porter by his side. They were both in Brioni suits, both ultra-handsome, wealthy, and charming men. Neither held a candle to Hays.

"There they are," Jarom exclaimed. He waved at the bodyguards. "All you macho men can relax. Aiden Porter himself has cleared my house. Safest spot on earth currently. Come inside. Come inside."

They walked into a massive foyer. Jarom gave her a quick side hug. "Wonderful to see you again, Elizabeth. Beautiful as ever." He offered his hand to Hays.

Hays released her to shake Jarom's hand. He didn't look like her Hays in that moment; he was giving Jarom a threatening stare down and his grip was tight enough the muscles in his forearm popped.

Jarom pulled back his hand, grimaced, and looked from Hays to Elizabeth. "I was informed your top bodyguard would be with you, but this is … a little more intimate and possessive than my bodyguards." He lifted his eyebrows.

Aiden clapped Jarom on the shoulder. "They have history. It'll all be fabulous."

"No sweat for me. Just don't rip my arms off if I have to kiss her for the charade." He winked at Hays. "This tough stud has it bad for you, eh?"

"I think so," she admitted.

Hays slid his arm around Elizabeth's waist again. "I wouldn't rip your arms off."

"Oh, good."

"I'd remove your spleen. Much more painful."

Elizabeth turned to look at Hays. She'd never seen him threaten someone. The possessiveness in his tone and the protectiveness of his posture shot thrills through her.

"Aiden," Jarom chastised, acting all dramatic and put out. "You promised me all I had to do was flirt with the famous beauty. I'm actually fond of my spleen." He put a hand to his stomach.

Hays smiled, finally looking more like himself. "I'm teasing you. Mostly. I know you're playing a part, and we appreciate you. But don't plan on taking any extra liberties with Liz."

Jarom saluted. "Loud and clear, friend. Loud and clear."

Aiden stepped forward and shook their hands. "Let's head into the study. Jesse will be on screen with us in about five minutes."

Elizabeth swallowed, grateful she'd changed and had a minute in the bathroom of the jet to refresh her makeup. She'd done hundreds of interviews, even been on Jesse's show a few years ago. Jesse was the talk show host who'd helped Aiden, Sutton, Anna, and Mercedes Belle rescue Quaid. Elizabeth had been in Virginia that week. Her parents had sent her away so she wouldn't see Quaid. She hadn't even known they'd recaptured him until it all went insane. She'd often wondered if she could have helped Quaid somehow if she'd been there, and then maybe selfishly begged Sutton Smith to protect her as well.

She had Hays now, but not for long. The darkness pressed in on her. Even with Quaid, Aiden, and Sutton Smith in on the plan and using their connections, power, and money, her father would win. She'd be back in his power. She only hoped she could bargain with him and keep everyone else safe. Especially Hays. Thankfully, Quaid and Jacey would not get close to Father again.

She had to express quickly, "Aiden, I am terribly sorry I've gotten you into such a mess."

"Pshaw." He waved a hand. "This is a great challenge. And it makes me laugh. The audacity of Benjamin Oliver is astounding. What does your father think the authorities are going to do to me? Does he have any clue how many times I've helped the police and FBI? How many allies I have there, in the military, in governments throughout the world? Worst case, I take all my people to the kingdom of Magna and we defend ourselves with my illustrious brother-in-law General Kingston." He grinned and winked, truly seeming unconcerned about the mess her father had shoved him in. He came across as a charmer, but he was a genuinely brave man.

"Thank you," she managed. "Please don't underestimate him."

"Of course. Now, there's not much time. Hays, you're going to have to release her and step back."

Hays nodded, but he didn't release her. He pivoted, framed her face with his hands, and said, "No matter what, I'll be here for you." Then he tenderly captured her lips with his own.

Elizabeth was stunned that he'd kiss her in front of these men, but she wasn't about to complain. She returned the kiss with all the longing she had stored up from fourteen years of not being loved, not being touched. The love Hays poured into her with his sweet kiss was more powerful than any emotion she'd ever experienced. Even the darkness and fear her father instilled in her.

"Wow!" Jarom exclaimed behind them. "He's giving me a stand-up example to follow, eh?"

Hays released her from the kiss and shot at Jarom, "Don't even think about it."

Jarom held up his hands.

Hays whispered for only her to hear, "Knock knock."

"Who's there?" she whispered back.

"Alfie."

"Alfie who?"

"Alfie terrible if you never love me back."

She did. She loved him desperately and only wanted him to hold and love her. But this wasn't the time, and she feared if she told him how deep her love ran, it would hurt him even worse when they were ripped apart by her father.

"We need to get in our places," Aiden cautioned. "Elizabeth, just pretend you're into Jarom. Your friendship developed into something deeper recently, and when he hired me to rescue you, you realized how intense your love was for him."

"All right," she said. Strange—she'd just thought how deep her love ran for Hays.

Hays's dark eyes haunted her as she hurried to Jarom's side and in view of a large screen and camera. The beautiful scenery of a Colorado mountain late afternoon was framed in the large windows behind them. Aiden instructed her to follow his lead and act madly in love with Jarom.

She could portray that deception. She'd been taught by one of the best deceivers of all time. It was frustrating not to know the entirety of the plan, but she suspected Aiden was holding a lot close to his chest to make certain nothing leaked. He would reveal it piece by piece.

Jarom wrapped his arm around her waist and she leaned into him, looking up into his blue eyes. He was a fabulous guy to risk himself like this for them. She suspected he couldn't understand the danger he was placing himself in, but then she didn't know that anybody except her truly understood.

Sadly, Jarom felt all wrong against her. She didn't want to cuddle, pretend with, or kiss anyone except Hays.

But when in her life had she ever gotten what she wanted?