Chapter 17

Chapter

Seventeen

Eva watched Miles out of the peephole. Everything about him appealed to her, especially his humility, his bravery, his toughness, and his ability to see past her acting and into her heart. His magical touch, enchanting eyes, and all-consuming kiss swept her away.

But could she trust him? Would he really be fiercely loyal to her as their relationship grew and flourished? She loved the image and hope of that, but she'd had that hope before.

Yet Miles was right. What they had was incredible and special. He swore he'd never felt it before, and she knew she never had. She could understand holding onto a lackluster relationship for safety from Lily's side and not to hurt Lily in Miles's mind. He was that good of a guy, and she appreciated that he hadn't kissed her until he'd broken things off with Lily. She wanted to trust him and build a relationship together.

He walked away to the north, and she went to her bedroom and forced herself to lie down. After half an hour of tossing and turning and daydreaming of Miles, she climbed out of bed, walked into her living room, and said into one of the cameras, "I'm going on a walk on the beach. You're welcome to follow me if you feel it's necessary."

"On my way," a male voice said through the camera.

She jumped and then barked out a surprised laugh. "I didn't know you could talk back."

"Yes, ma'am."

Laughing again, she waited for the knock on the door, then she and her guard Tyler headed across her patio and along the sand. It was a gorgeous late August afternoon. A lot warmer than Montana. She walked into the ocean and let her feet and legs get soaked with the cold sting of salt water.

When she got back to the house, she thanked Tyler and glanced at her watch. Five-thirty. Miles would be here soon. She wanted to talk to him, be with him, kiss him, but she was nervous about whether they could make it work. Would she take the plunge and try or would the deep-seated fear of more pain and the fact that Hollywood and military relationships were difficult ruin their chances?

Changing into a fitted T-shirt dress, she smiled to herself, thinking how Miles had liked her T-shirt nightgown that she'd had in Montana. She refreshed her makeup, sprayed on some coconut body splash, and paced the main room, tempted to say something to her buddies watching the camera.

A loud rap came on the back patio door, and she startled. Her heart leapt. Had Miles come up the beach from Aiden's house? She hurried over, peering through the glass, and her heart dropped. Not Miles .

Lake. Ah, shoot. She had to get rid of him. She didn't want him here when Miles showed up. Miles was humbly confident and wouldn't be threatened by Lake, but Lake would posture and be annoying.

"Miss Chevron?" the guard said through the camera walkie-talkie thingy.

"It's fine. It's Lake Eastwood."

"Oh." Obviously the guard knew who Lake was.

She turned off the alarm and yanked the door open. "Lake, get your hind quarters off of my property before I sic my guard dogs on you."

"Always so eloquent." Lake smiled rather than scowling like he had the past few times she'd seen him. "You look stunning, Eva. Are you doing all right? Did they catch the loser that was after you?"

"Yes." She nodded and leaned against the doorframe, folding her arms across her chest. "What's your damage, Lake?"

His handsome face lit up in a smile, but there was something lurking in his blue eyes. He was up to something, and it wouldn't bode well for her. Lake was so self-consumed he never thought about anyone but himself. She glanced around for paparazzi, but the beach appeared quiet.

"I was worried about you," he said smoothly. "Can we talk? It's beautiful out here." He gestured to the patio.

"For a minute," she said, rolling her eyes and walking out to the patio. It was better with Lake to let him talk, and then she might have a chance of getting him out of here before Miles arrived. She focused on the ocean and quiet stretch of beach rather than look at him. "What do you need?"

"You." She glanced at him and saw a flash of sun reflected off metal. He shoved a small pistol into her abdomen with his right hand, wrapping his left arm around her waist and yanking her close to his side. The cameras behind her would only see him cuddling her to his side.

"Lake!" she screamed, too stunned to feel terror. He had never shown any violent tendencies, only selfish ones.

"Don't," he warned. "I'll shoot. I couldn't care less at this point."

"Lake, are you nuts?" She looked around for her security guard. She'd just told the camera it was fine. Should she scream? Would Lake really shoot her?

"Let's walk, and don't you dare scream or act off or I will shoot." He shoved the gun harder.

Eva walked stiffly by his side as he directed her off the patio and into the sand, trying to edge away from the gun. Cold prickles stung her skin. He'd lost his mind.

"Lake, this isn't like you. What's going on? What do you need?"

"You ruined me," he snarled at her.

"How did I ruin you?"

They plunged through the sand and into the chilly water. Her guards would come. Right? Miles? Was it even time for him to be there? If Miles came, would Lake shoot her before Miles could reach them?

"I haven't gotten a role since you broke up with me," Lake said. "Everybody adores you, and it's all your fault that I've been blackballed."

"My fault? You cheated on me ."

He angled her deeper into the water, his hand digging into her side as he held her close. She heard the high whine of a motor.

He shoved the gun harder into her ribs. She winced. "Jorge is going to pay me a load of money to bring you to him. I had no choice but to accept his offer since my acting career is washed up. I'm taking the cash and retiring on a beach somewhere."

"Jorge?"

"He's desperate for you and paying me much more than he would anyone else because I have the connection to get him out of prison."

The motor approached and suddenly a WaveRunner plowed through the surf and into the shallower water in front of them. A teenage boy was driving it.

"Turn it around," Lake demanded.

"Okay, sheesh." The kid flipped it around and held it as the waves lifted the machine up and down. He looked at Eva in awe. "You're Eva Chevron."

"Help," she begged.

"Shut up," Lake yelled at her. He looked at the young man. "I paid you a load. Now keep your mouth shut and take off running."

"Sorry, Eva." The kid jumped into the surf and dashed off to the north.

Lake shoved Eva onto the machine in front of him, climbing on behind her. She didn't know if he would shoot; she doubted Jorge would pay him for a dead Eva Chevron. She was dead either way if he got her out of here.

She heard shouts from behind her. Lake turned to look. She slugged him in the gut and threw herself to the right, trying to get off the machine.

"No!" Lake hollered. Her pinned her with his arms and gunned the WaveRunner into the ocean.

A large wave slapped the front, flinging the machine up and threatening to spill them off. Lake busted through the wave and sped away from the beach.

Eva screamed in horror and dug her fingernails into his arm, trying to pry her way past the steel bands of his arms.

She'd rather be dead than in Jorge's or Lake's power.