Chapter 4

Chapter

Four

Elizabeth's pulse wouldn't calm from the interaction with Hays. She dealt with politicians, dignitaries, murderers, and her father calmly every day, but five minutes near Hays West and she felt as if her world had been rearranged. She perched on the clouds, soaring with one glance of his deep-brown eyes, one touch of his hand, one smile, one silly and sweet knock-knock joke.

Yet the earth was in upheaval, and she'd be buried under a mountain of granite because of the peril he was in. Revealing her long-concealed love for him could only injure him. Not giving in and kissing him in the closet was excruciating, but it was her only choice.

Hays was still a blissfully safe space for her. Thinking of those few moments in his arms made her cheeks flush. Would his kiss have felt as thrilling as the stolen kisses they'd shared as high school seniors, or would the experienced, tough Lieutenant Hays West take command of her mouth in a way unequaled by even his younger self? She yearned for him, but she could not let down her guard and endanger him.

Even though she was distracted by Hays in her periphery, she had spent the evening learning all about the delightful Anna Marley Raven and tough but engaging Cade Miller. She was an expert at drawing out her companions and thoroughly enjoyed the conversations. Jacey was as fun and warm as ever and even Quaid relaxed marginally as the evening wore on.

Other people had come and gone from their group. She'd had a short conversation with the illustrious security expert Captain Aiden Porter. He and his men had kept their distance for the most part, observing and ready to engage at a moment's notice.

The rest of the local crowd wanted to meet the famous Elizabeth Oliver, but some overtly warned her not to hurt Jacey or Quaid. If only they knew. She could not forget for a moment. Her security guards, especially Peter, were never far enough away—a sobering reminder of the peril everyone here was in because of her visit. The ‘win' of her besting Peter verbally and walking into Jacey's house alone hadn't happened before, and she doubted she could pull it off again.

The sun was setting, and she had not placed the call to ask her father if she could stay. Would he approve? If the objective was truly to change Quaid and Jacey to allies, he might. But she feared the objective was Peter and his men scoping out the setting and the crowd and as soon as Elizabeth had cleared the area, they would detonate everything and everyone.

Pink, orange, and red streaked the sky as the sun dipped behind the glorious mountains to the west. Many of the crowd from the town of Coleville had dispersed. It had been an odd wedding party for certain. Elizabeth had felt like the guest of honor, not Cade and Jacey. Were her siblings playing a quiet game of chess with her and Father? She wouldn't blame them.

Hays and over a dozen men she assumed were with the impressive Captain Aiden Porter were still spread out throughout the grassy area and giving increasingly confrontational looks to her security men. How could she possibly stay and risk the uneasy truce ending and a full-fledged battle taking place? How could she leave if Jacey wanted her here or if her leaving triggered injury or death to her loved ones?

She glanced at Hays. He was in conversation with another military-looking man. As if sensing her gaze, he focused on her. He did not smile, which was rare in her experience. There was a smolder for her in those deep-brown eyes. She placed a hand to her heart, hoping no one but her or Hays had noticed the bump of her note wrapped around the tattered strings of her bracelet.

She should've calmed down and thought for a moment in Jacey's closet. She could have entrusted Hays with the note and asked him to get it to Jacey, but any voice recordings would have picked up on that. She'd also been decidedly out of sorts, hating him accusing her of trying to bomb or listen to her sister and longing for him to touch her again. She was accomplished at the fa?ade but wished she could've dropped her guard completely with Hays.

It was mortifying that she had taunted him to come and get the note. Hays was pure; she adored him for that and so much more. She was far from pure, tainted by her mother and father's evil acts that she had not been able to stop. Thankfully, she had been pawed but not defiled by the men she'd been forced to charm and manipulate. Her father was holding out for the ‘perfect man to mate her with' and her purity would be a ‘bargaining chip.' Father hadn't found a man worthy of her, which meant he hadn't found a man he could both manipulate and who had a perfect public persona.

Forcing her gaze from Hays, she said to Jacey and Cade, "Pardon me. I will call Father and ascertain if my schedule is conducive to me staying with you."

"Please, please, please." Jacey grabbed her hand. "We need more time. Do you want me to speak with him?" Jacey grinned as if her speaking with their father would be a great opportunity.

Elizabeth wanted her darling, happy, and incredible sister as far from their father as possible. "That is exceptionally thoughtful of you, but I will check with him first. Thank you."

She stood from the table and walked away for some privacy. Peter pressed close, giving her none. She wanted to lash out at him, but it would accomplish nothing. Quaid and Anna were speaking with Aiden Porter. Quaid met her gaze. She held it, wishing she could speak with him alone. No cameras, microphones, or other people. She doubted he would believe the information she needed to share. He still stared at her as if she were the devil, the witch, their mother. Her stomach twisted.

Retrieving her phone from the small pocket near her hip, she pressed Father's number.

"Doll," he answered almost immediately. There was chatter in the background, so he must still be at the Health for Life Banquet. "Pardon me." She heard his breathing and footsteps and then, "Why haven't you spoken to your brother and sister about coming home and supporting your political dreams?"

He had been listening in. She wasn't surprised.

"We have been in the midst of a large party. I haven't been able to speak privately with either of them. I have been invited to stay with Jacqueline and her new husband. I will gain their support and ascertain what strengths they bring to our cause."

"I understand Captain Aiden Porter is there. He could be a powerful ally if he is convinced we were not affiliated with your mother."

"He could." Did Father know everyone who had attended the party? One of the guards would have recognized Aiden Porter. She prayed they didn't know who Hays was.

"I could allow until tomorrow evening, but keep Peter close. I must have you safe, doll." The threat was implicit. She would have no chance to actually speak with her brother or sister, even if she could figure out where all the listening devices were. It was at least more time with Jacey and away from her father. Maybe she could get her note to Jacey or Quaid or whisper warnings to them.

"Thank you, Father."

"Of course, doll. Anything for you. You know that."

She shivered. "I do know."

"I need to return to the banquet. But Elizabeth … When you return home, I would like to know who you were speaking with alone in your sister's bedroom. He sounded very intriguing. Promising, even."

Her shivers turned into full-on shudders. Elizabeth had to control her reaction as Peter and others were watching. Should she make up a fictitious name? Did her father already know? She had not said Hays's name, but a camera or a photo taken by one of the guards may already have found a match with face-recognition software.

Hays! Oh, no. For fourteen years, she'd waited for one of her parents to use him against her, and her fears were coming to fruition. He would have to go into deep hiding with Jacey, Cade, Quaid, and Anna. She had ruined his life and career by engaging him in conversation and not shoving him away. She dared not look around and give Peter any more ammunition.

"I will look forward to that conversation," she lied. "And to seeing you again soon, Father. Enjoy the banquet."

"Thank you. Enjoy the time with Thomas and Jacqueline. It will be short-lived , I'm afraid."

He planned to kill them. Why send her out here? Simply to create more pain? If Quaid and Jacey were murdered, what would she have to live for? She had one bargaining chip—the one thing that had worked on her parents—but she hadn't utilized it since Jacey escaped a year ago.

"I am only grateful Jacqueline and Thomas will live long, healthy lives as they associate with me. You understand I could not go on living without them."

The threat lingered. She toed his line, and sometimes he seemed to think she was truly brainwashed, but comments like this were against the rules. She had no idea what he might do.

She studied the dark mountainside beyond, lights from Jacey's porch and some twinkling lights over the timbered pavilion behind her. Her pulse raced, but luckily he couldn't see that.

"We can discuss the matter further when you return. Goodnight, doll."

"Goodnight, Father." She hung up the phone and slipped it into the small hidden pocket.

Turning, she ignored Peter's speculative glance and walked toward Jacey and Cade.

Hays. Jacey. Quaid. Her heart thudded heavily in her chest. If Father did not murder them, he would use them to manipulate her. She had never effectively hidden how deeply she loved them, and she had dared threaten him. If he killed them, she couldn't go on. Morbid. Dark. Typical for her life, but nothing she wanted her brother and sister to be part of.

Quaid and Anna angled toward her.

"Everything all right?" Quaid asked in a low voice. For just a moment, he was almost concerned for her.

She had to swallow before responding, "Wonderful. Thank you. Father will cover my responsibilities and I can stay until tomorrow evening."

"That was kind of him." Quaid studied her. He was brilliant and had experienced more of the physical pain but less of the mental and emotional manipulation than she had. Would he put the pieces together, or did he believe Mother had made her into her minion and Elizabeth was the one hiding her dark soul?

There had to be a way to confide in him. She had tonight and all day tomorrow. Would they all stay here? How could she get rid of Peter and her guards? Make them sleep in the barn where their friends and Mother had been shot? Not a bad idea, but they'd never allow it. They'd guard the door to whatever bedroom she was assigned, as always.

"Are you up for a wild challenge, Elizabeth?" Anna asked, beaming.

Something in Quaid's blue eyes beseeched her to go along with whatever her sister-in-law was proposing.

"Of course," she said. "I love a challenge."

She didn't. Every moment of her life was a challenge. She wanted to be safe and to let her guard down. The way she'd only been with Hays.

"Ah! Let's go then." Anna clapped her hands together. "Quaid, do you mind having some of the men bring vehicles we can all ride back home in after our adventure?"

"Sure." Quaid turned to give instructions.

"Jacey, will you grab some towels?" Anna called.

"Yes, ma'am. We'll be right behind you."

"Let's walk together." Anna offered Elizabeth an arm.

Elizabeth was confused but trusted her new sister-in-law. She threaded her arm through Anna's, and they walked away from Jacey and Cade's yard and along a dirt road toward the lake. Her men spread out in front, to the sides, and behind her. The road was hard packed enough that her heels didn't sink.

Quaid stayed right by Anna's side. Elizabeth jolted when Hays stepped up to her other side. There was some plan happening, and she had no idea what it was. Hays's presence made her stomach hop with happy anticipation. What if he touched her again? Would he stay with her family tonight or go back to his important SEAL assignments?

"Knock knock," he murmured.

She couldn't stop a smile. "Who's there?"

"A herd."

"A herd who?" She couldn't wait to hear his answer. For just this moment, she was safe. Hays was here, and he was making her smile.

"A herd you were here, so I came running."

She let out a soft laugh, ignoring the darkness of Peter and her entourage of guards.

The night shadows were deepening as they gained distance from the house lights, stars twinkled in the deep blue sky above, and the malevolence of the guards crept over her as Peter eased closer.

She could not miss the threatening looks Quaid and Hays shot her guards. Her brother and Hays would fight for her and Anna. That thought thrilled and warmed her. If only she dared ask Quaid to defeat and tie up her guards and she could escape with Hays. It would never happen, but it was a lovely dream. Her father would have dozens of men pursuing them and bribes and rewards offered throughout the world. He'd kidnap Hays's friends and family and use them against him. Even her dream of Greenland wouldn't be safe if she tried to disappear. Quaid, Anna, Jacey, Cade, and Hays were the ones who needed to disappear. She would cover for them. Give her life for them, as she'd always tried to do.

Hays's arm brushed hers, and tingles shot through her. He glanced down at her. She wanted to meet his gaze again, but she'd let down her guard with his knock-knock joke. She could not afford to give Peter more ammunition to share with her father.

Vehicles roared to life and wheels turned on gravel. Many pairs of headlights approached, making their shadows long and revealing the road for a distance. The vehicles slowed to a crawl behind their group. Elizabeth instinctively upped her pace, never wanting anyone to wait on her. Anna held onto her arm, and it somehow calmed her.

"They don't mind waiting for us," her new sister-in-law said. "Enjoy the walk and the beautiful night air."

Enjoy? Another foreign concept. The only thing Elizabeth had ever enjoyed was time spent with the man walking next to her on her right. "Where are we going?"

"There are ledges to jump into the lake," Quaid explained, pointing at some rocky outcroppings rising above the water. She could barely make them out in the dark. "Jacey jumped in wearing her wedding dress and she wanted to do it together. Sibling bonding." She could see his smirk from the headlights behind them. If only she could read his eyes. Sibling bonding? What an odd thing to do together.

There had to be something deeper at play here. If it was required of her, she would act enthused about leaping into a cold lake in her dress. At least it wasn't a wedding dress. She would not question her brother and hoped this odd plan was part of a larger scheme that would allow her to speak privately with him and Jacey. Maybe in the water they could talk as they swam? Did voices not carry over water?

Was there another reason to submerge in the water? Electronics could be damaged. Her phone. Any listening devices her father may have somehow embedded in her clothing. The water might be the most fabulous idea she had ever heard of. Would she be free? At least be able to speak freely. Unless Peter followed her or got another device on her.

Except … her note wrapped around the bracelet strings.

"Will everyone make the leap, or only the three of us?" she asked.

"The three of us for the first jump," Quaid said, his voice the final word on the subject. "Then if others want to follow, they can."

Peter cleared his throat. She ignored him. There was no way he'd allow her to jump and create space from him. He'd probably already been berated for letting her go into the house alone. What to do?

They reached the edge of the lake. The vehicles parked and doors popped open and voices reached her. The trucks were angled to illuminate the bank and the base of the small cliffs, but not the tops of the rocky outcropping or the dark water far below. With the sun gone, the lake wasn't sparkling bright blue at her. It felt like a deep crater, but she wasn't afraid of it, more intrigued.

Peter suddenly pressed in against her back and whispered harshly in her ear, "Miss Oliver."

Hays looked larger than life next to her. He also edged closer. She wanted to cuddle into the shelter his broad chest offered, but she'd never been allowed to turn to anyone trustworthy and strong. Why should she now?

"I suggest you do not jump." Peter's voice was a warning. He wouldn't allow her to get away from him again, even for a moment.

"How I insinuate myself with them is my choice, not yours," she replied coldly.

Hays stiffened. She wished Hays hadn't overheard that, but she could not allow Peter to gain any ground. Even with thousands of miles between her and her father, their power struggle and mind games were alive and well. There was a slight chance, if she acted strong and decisive, that Peter would believe her father had given her the leeway to do an odd cold water ritual with her siblings to make them allies.

Elizabeth strutted away from both men, slid off her high heels and dropped them, and started to climb the rocks. She was climbing a rock formation and going to jump in a mountain lake in her five-thousand-dollar Oscar de la Renta dress. She smiled. Was that what ‘fun' or ‘recklessness' felt like? Besides her stolen moments with Hays fourteen years ago and in the closet earlier this evening, she hadn't experienced either.

The rocks stung her feet, and she grimaced. Quaid and Anna were just ahead, Jacey and Cade just behind her. She could hear her sister's voice. Would Peter and her other guards really let her create distance between them? Had she been convincing and sly enough? Pride filled her chest. It was a small battle, but she'd rarely tasted success.

Hays's alluring sea salt and musk scent surrounded her and then he was there. He could certainly move fast. He wrapped his arm around her waist and assisted her up the bank. Her mind filled with daydreams and sweet longing from his simple touch. She wanted to melt into him, but now was not the moment to allow distractions. Even if the distraction was the most enticing man on the planet.

The lights were angled at their backs. This was her chance.

She fished the note out of her bra and pressed it against his palm. "Please guard this and give it to Jacey," she whispered, her lips grazing his earlobe and then his neck.

With his arm around her, their sides pressed together, and her lips touching his skin, the night was filled with light. She could see a bright future like a tunnel opening to a sunny day. If only she could walk through that tunnel with Hays.

No.

Sunshine, happiness, a future with the person she loved? None of that was in the cards for her, but maybe for Jacey and Quaid if she could warn them. She had to stay focused on her objective.

His fingers closed around her hand and the note. "Knock knock," he murmured, his lips brushing her cheek.

Her heart leaped and her skin sizzled with his touch. "Who's there?"

"A knee."

"A knee who?"

"A knee thing you want or need, Liz."

She didn't laugh. If only that could be true. Hays as her guard, her companion, her man, her love, her husband …

A fairytale.

The sound of heavy footfalls on the rocks and Cade's bark of, "Hays," drew her attention. She cried out as Peter sprung at Hays's back to rip him away from her.

Hays released her, spun, and faced Peter.

The guard actually stopped. Surprising. Hays was obviously strong, but he appeared too relaxed and happy for Peter to consider him a serious threat.

"Step away from Miss Oliver," Peter commanded.

"Never," Hays said.

It was only one word, but the weight and the depth of it reverberated in her chest and made her believe she might have an advocate, a protector, a safe space.

No one spoke or moved as the two men faced off. Hays turned slightly away, a natural posture, which hid his back pocket and the hand that slid her note in. Elizabeth couldn't see their faces clearly in the darkness with the truck headlights angled below them, but she could feel the determination and confidence radiating from Hays.

Elizabeth shifted. She had to stop this battle. She despised pain; it was all she'd known and seen in her life. No one could stop her father's mercenaries. Peter was more deadly, underhanded, and devoted than any of her father's guards. He was a true monstrosity, never to be underestimated. She'd challenged him twice today, but never before.

Hays was tougher than tough, his success on the battlefield and confidence in his skills obvious, but he was too nice of a guy to go beast mode on Peter. She couldn't risk Peter maiming or killing him. Not for her sake.

"You do remind me of Clark Kent," Peter said, obviously having listened in when Elizabeth had called Hays Superman, "but I don't believe you have any power. You think you can stop me with your Mr. Rogers permagrin?"

Hays didn't even flinch at the insult. "Easily."

"If that is your decision, I will remove you from her side," Peter snarled.

Elizabeth had to stop this. Nobody else was saying a word or moving to step in.

"Try it," Hays said, all confidence and poise.

Peter lunged at Hays before Elizabeth could do more than squeak out, "No!"