Something clicked in my mind—the deer blind. It was the only place where…yes. An idea crystallized, risky as hell but better than nothing.
“When Oliver releases you, when you run out that door, you go straight to the deer blind at the edge of the property.Remember? Where we uploaded the transmission two nights ago.”
Her forehead creased. “But they’ll find me there if I just hide?—”
“You’re not hiding there. As soon as the hunters head back to change, I’ll meet you there. You and I will come up with a plan. Use those few minutes while everyone’s getting ready.”
“I can’t—” She stopped, swallowed hard, forced herself to continue. “I can’t outrun them for hours. Not in the dark. Not in this outfit?—”
“Hey. You’re the strongest person I know.” I gripped her shoulders, gentle but firm. “Remember what you survived before. You survived that, you can survive this. I know you’re scared, but we’re going to make sure nobody but me captures you.”
She straightened slightly. Even terrorized Mia was a fucking warrior.
“The deer blind.” I pulled her close, speaking directly into her ear. “I’ll be there just a few minutes after you. I’m getting you out of this.”
“How?” The word was barely a breath, but I heard the desperate need to believe.
“Trust me.” It was all I could give her. I didn’t have specifics yet, but I’d figure it out. I had to.
“Time’s up!” Oliver’s voice rang out. “It is time for the hunt to begin. The prey doesn’t have to leave at the moment of countdown, but every second you remain is a second of your hour wasted.”
Mia pulled back, looking at me one last time. Her honey-brown eyes held trust I didn’t deserve, faith that I could save her. But then something shifted in her expression—a hardening, a decision being made.
“If you’re not there in five minutes,” she said quietly, “I’m not waiting.”
I wasn’t offended. As far from it as possible. Mia was nobody’s damsel. If I couldn’t help her, she would damn well help herself.
And I was fucking in love with her. Had always been. The years apart hadn’t changed that; I’d just tamped down the feelings so I wouldn’t have to deal with having lost the best thing that had ever happened to me.
I wasn’t losing her again.
Oliver started counting. “Ten…”
Her fingers released my suit jacket, and I saw her gather herself, pulling together every scrap of courage. Her spine straightened, chin lifted. Not going to give them the satisfaction of seeing her break.
“Nine…”
She turned toward the door.
“Eight…”
She took a step, then another, each one more determined than the last. The burgundy dress swayed with her movement.
“Seven…”
The crowd parted, creating a path to the door. Someone whistled low and appreciative. I marked the voice—I would deal with that later.
“Six…”
She moved through them with purpose, not scurrying like a frightened animal but walking with her chin up.
“Five…”
She reached for the door handle without hesitation. Behind me, Volkov murmured something in Russian to his men. Two of them laughed.
“Four…”
She yanked the door open, cold mountain air rushing in.
