Chapter 24
“Don’t Move.” Caspian’s voice was barely audible as the mountain lion’s gro
growl rumbled the
| through the darkness.
My heart hammered against my ribs, my sprained ankle suddenly
y the least of my concern
“Look at me, not its eyes,” he whispered, his body positioned between me and the predator. “Back away
slowly.
1 bit my lip to keep from screaming as we inched backward, the mountain lion’s eyes gleaming in the moonlight.
Just when I thought we’d become cat food, voices and flashlight beams from other hikers scattered the animal back into the underbrush
Before I could process our luck, Caspian scooped me into his arms and started running down the trail.
“Put me down!” I protested, embarrassment flooding back. I can walk!”
“Your ankle can’t handle it,” he replied, breathing hard but steady. “This isn’t about your damn pride, Winters. It’s about survival.*
Despite my protests, I couldn’t deny the security of his arms around me, his heart thudding steadily against my ear.
six years ago. I’d run from him in tears. Now he was running with me, both of us fireing dangers animal and human alike.
Halfway down, his foot caught on a rock.
We tumbled together,
r, and as we untangled ourselves, I spotted something glinting beneath a bush my phone, miraculously intact
“Maybe our luck is turning around?” Caspian smiled, handing it to me.
“Right,” I snorted. “Upgraded from being chased by a mountain lion to only being hunted by Rachel and Palmer. Such great luck.”
We laughed together in the darkness, a brief moment of connection before reality crashed back.
An hour later, we stumbled into the resort lobby, drawing concerned looks from the staff.
I checked my phone as we waited for the elevator. Finally have signal again. Diana must be going crazy–twenty–three missed calls.”
Inside my suite, I frantically scrolled through messages. Then I saw it -text from an unknown number that made my blood freeze:
Hiding in the mountains won’t help, little girl. I’ve found you. Daddy sends his regards from custody. Neither you nor your American football star boyfriend will escape. –
The phone slipped from my trembling fingers, Kachel had found us.
Even with Robert behind bars, his daughter was continuing to torment me, signing messages with his initial to maintain the psychological terror.
Fear consumed
My chest constricted, each breath becoming more difficult than the last,
The familiar tingling started in my fingertips, spreading up my arms as black spots danced at the edges of my vision
I stumbled to my suitcase, frantically searching for my anxiety m
medication.
force, my body betraying me as it had so many
Items scattered across the floor as my movements became increasingly desperate. The panic attack hit full for
A sharp Lock rattled the door.
Wright’s voice carried through, tight with fury “The entire firm has been looking for you!”
Sage Winters! Open this door immediately!” Diana W
With superhuman effort, I pulled the door open. Diana burst in, only to stop short at the sight of me gasping for
“Good God,”
,” she said, her anger momentarily replaced by shock. “What’s happening to you!”
I couldn’t respond. My
throat felt like it was closing, my vision tunneling as the panic attack intensified.
Chapter 24
“Ms. Wright?” Caspian appeared at the door, his expression shifting instantly when he saw me. “Sage? Are you having an anxiety attack?
He quickly entered the room, scanning the scattered contents of my suitcase. “Where’s your meditation? The red bag you mentioned on the lake?
pointed shakily toward the mess on the floor. He found the red medical pouch immediately, extracting my prescripties while Diana watched in confused
“Look at my eyes, only at me, be instructed after helping me take the pills. “Deep breath in. Hold. And out.
His hands held mine, warm against my lor cold fingers. Those green eyes held nothing but enner – no pity, ne Gradually, the medication began to take effect. My breathing slowed to match his deliberate rhythm.
“Would someone explain whats happening?” Diana demanded once I was breathing normally again.
ere anxiety attack, Cast
Caspian answered, “She mentioned
When I could finally speak, I showed Diana the threatening text.
only the promise of I’m here.
medication during our hike earlier today. It’s not something she can control.”
“Rachels found us,” she concluded, her expression hardening “Palmer must have told her where you were staying. This isn’t just about a contract anymore.”
“Under these circumstances,” I said, trying to sound professional despite my shaky voice, “I should recuse myself from this case.
“Absolutely not,” Diana countered. “If we switch attorneys, Palmer will know we’ve discovered his game.”“
She checked her watch. “Its late. We’ll discuss our strategy tomorrow morning. Drake, I’m trusting you to keep an eye on her tonight.”
After Diana left, an awkward silence filled the room. Caspian continued gathering my scattered belongings, organizing them with surprising c
“How did you know what to do during my panic attack? I finally asked. ‘Most people either panic themselves or make it worse.
“Team training, he replied, looking up from the pill bottle he was securing have protocols for anxiety and panic situations.” He hesitated before adding, “And… Ive experienced them myself. Especially during my rookie season.”
“You?” I couldn’t hide my surprise. “But you always seemed so…
“Perfect?” His laugh held no humor. “It’s all a front. Thousands of people expecting perfection, one had game destroying months of work… I know that suffocating feeling.”
When he d finished tidying, I straightened and adopted my professional tone. “Thank you, but you should get back to your room now.
“Im not leaving you alone, he stated simply. “Not after that text,”
“I don’t need a babysitter, Drake. I can take care of myself.”
ou can,” he sai
said, settling into the chair across from
“That’s not the point. You shouldn’t have to face this alone.”
His words struck a chord I wasn’t prepared for. Six years of running, fighting, facing everything by myself and now someone was s
“Tine,‘ I conceded finally. “Hut just for tonight.”
saying I didn’t
have to..
Before settling on the couch, Caspian handed me a small device. “Keep this with you. It’s a door alarm. Any entry point opens, it makes moise
You carry these and regularly?
we dustinered
was working with Palmer. Just in case.
That revelation Iroke through another layer of my defenses.
the impolater boy wi
y whod broken my heart for a bet. This was som
was someone who had been preparing to protect me even before I’d acknowledged
nieding protection
Thank you,” I said quietly Goodnight, Caspian
expression at my use of his first name, but he simply nodded. “Goodnight, Sage. In tight here?
ew text. My breath caught as I read the message:
Chapter 24
Sweet dreams, Idile girl. I’m closer than you think. R
Innbed in the window, scanning the darkness outside. Nothing but shadows and tre
But as my gaze difted upward to the adjacent mountainside, I caught a brief flash of light – like moonlight
aught reflecting
Jecting off binoculars or a camera lens.
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