ynrery 1100

Instinect took over and I grabbed Blake tight.

He immediately wrapped an arm around me and kicked Nathan hard in the groin. 'The knife clattered to the floor as Nathan doubled over.

"Argh!" he howled, dropping to his knees. "You bastard!"

Blake didn't hesitate. With me in his arms, he jumped from the van into darkness. My stomach lurched as we landed, and I took in our surroundings- dense trees stretching in every direction, barely visible in the moonlight.

We were somewhere in a forest on Long Island, far from help.

Blake ran through the darkness carrying me. Behind us, I heard Nathan stumbling out of the van. I looked back as headlights burst to life,momentarily blinding me.

"He's coming after us," I said. "Put me down...you can run faster without-..

"Trust me." Blake cut me off. "I'll protect you. Don't say things like that again. Even If you're not Audrey, I won't let anything happen to you!"

Branches and thorns tore at Blake's suit as we moved deeper into the forest. I could smell blood - his blood - but he seemed oblivious to pain.

"Do you have anything to call for help?" I asked.

"Boshing," Blake replled, his breathing steady despite our pace. "He took

overythtng ~ phone, watch, accessorles.

-You gave him everything?"

"He threatened to hurt you if I didn't."

Something inside me twisted at his words. I quickly suppressed the feading

This simple display of care shouldn't confuse me after everything bed done.

Behind us. an engine revved followed by a crash and cursing. The van's headlights tilted at an odd angle -he'd hit a tree.

Nathan abandoned the vehicle and followed on foot, knife in band. hir face twisted with rage.

This forest is remote... hardly anyone comes here," I said.watching Plalce s face. Sweat beaded on his forehead."That guy has a weapon Hose long can you run while carrying me? We-"

"Don't talk. I have a plan."

Blake veered right toward an enormous tree with a hollow opening inn is trunk. "Hide in here!" he said, setting me down.

I stared at the dark opening.

"He's catching up." Blake urged.

I darted Into the hollow tree. The space was tiny, barely big enough for one person.

You're facing the wrong direction." Blake said. oddly calm

I blinked confused.

"In such a tight space, planning to stand face-to-face with me?"

My ears burned as I realized what he meant. I turned to face the inner wall as Blake slipped in behind me, his back against mine.

The hollow was so narrow I could feel his breathing and heartbeat. His familiar scent surrounded me. I would've preferred not being this close to him,but had no choce. I bit my lip and pressed against the wall, praying Nathan would leave soon.

"You can't escape!" Nathan shouted, waving his knife as he walked through the forest. "The forest is more dangerous than I am!"

I held my breath as his footsteps grew closer.

"If you come back now, I might leave your bodies intact!" he called out."Let's see how far you can get carrying a woman! You'll tire eventually!"

Nathan passed our hiding spot, heading deeper into the forest. His threats faded as he moved away, and I finally breathed again. After what felt like forever but was probably just minutes, his voice disappeared completely.

"He's gone," I whispered, trying to leave. My feet crushed dried leaves that crackled loudly.

"Don't move!" Blake pulled me back and covered my mouth. "It's not time yet."

My heart sank hearing footsteps approach again.

"Did they really run deeper in?" Nathan was back, sounding frustrated. "There are damn poisonous snakes and wild animals in this forest!"

Blake held me face-to-face now, pressing me against the inner wall. Our

bodies were flush against each other, his hand still covering my mouth.

"You might not care about your lives, but I care about mine," Nathan continued. "How can I die before avenging my girlfriend?"

I bit my lip, not daring to breathe. As Nathan got closer, my heart raced.Feeling Blake's heartbeat against mine was oddly calming.

"Nothing accomplished all night..." Nathan mumbled as he walked past our tree.

We stayed frozen until his footsteps faded completely. Blake slowly removed his hand from my mouth.

"We should go," I whispered, trying to move. My legs had turned to jelly.I nearly collapsed, but Blake caught me.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Fine... just... my legs went weak."

"From tension?" Blake sounded surprised.

"It's life or death! He's armed and crazy!" I snapped. "You might not fear death.but I do!"

If the hollow hadn't been so narrow and Blake wasn't holding me up. I would've collapsed entirely.

If only Audrey had thought the same way," Blake said quietly.

f rooked up. eyes narrowing. "You think... Audrey didn't value her life?"

If afie bad. Í would've known about her illness earlier, and wouldn't have..

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I watched the remorse on his face and couldn't help a mocking smile. "I may not be Audrey, but I've seen the news about you two."

"When she was dying, you spent every day with Laurel Rose.If Audrey had told you she was terminally ill, would you have believed her?"

"Wouldn't you have thought she was making it up for attention? To keep you away from Laurel?" I continued. "Audrey had gastric cancer - the same illness Laurel was faking. If both told you they had cancer.who would you have believed?"

Blake lowered his eyes. "I've made many mistakes."

"You admit it yourself - you wouldn't have believed her." Bitterness crept into my voice. "The medical resources that should have been hers,you gave to Laurel. What right do you have now to say she didn't value her life?"

The question hung between us. Blake finally looked up, his face filled with sadness I'd rarely seen.

"YouI're right," he said softly. "I never gave her a chance."

His words left a knot in my chest I didn't want to examine.

I stood up, needing to end this conversation. "We should go."

Adrian was probably tearing the place apart looking for me by now. The man wouldn't rest until he found me - that's just how he operated. And Emma,,, that little girI had to be scared, wondering where I'd disappeared to,

I starred walking, moving faster at the thought of Emma waiting for me.

th up."Blake grabbod my arm after a few steps."Not yet."

"Whi nor He's gone."

"Mabe from this spot," Blake said, staring into the darkness. "But his van is stitt at the enerance. If he's waiting there, thinking about his next move...

"lelh be walking straight to him."

"Oreute" I muttered. "So we're stuck here?"

We couldni't camp out forever because some psycho might be waiting. No phones no way to call for help if anything else went wrong.

Blake checked his wrist, then scowled, remembering the kidnapper had taken his watch. "Michael's probably already looking for me. Once they find the van-"

"If they find it."

They will," he said firmly. "And when they grab this Nathan guy, he'll tell them where we are."

Blake shook out his jacket and laid it over a tree stump. "Sit."

I dropped onto the makeshift seat with a skeptical look. "You really think sney ll find us?"

"I left them something to follow." He sat beside me.

"What?"

Blake's mouth guirked up. "Just one of those CEO tricks."

I sighed. "Thanks, by the way. For tonight."

"I'd probably be..." I didn't finish the thought. "Just... thanks."

"When we get back, I'll make sure Knox Corporation throws some business your way. Seems fair after all this."