Bodyguard Pursuit (15 page)

Saria had to be alive.

He needed his woman back.

Now.

* * * *

Hot. So hot. Saria opened her lids and sweat dribbled into her eyes and hazed her vision. She blinked and squinted toward a sliver of light shining on the strangest angle.

She tried to move her arms and legs, but only managed to tighten the bindings around her ankles and wrists, both roped together behind her and making her arch backward as she lay on her side. Her back and shoulders throbbed, and her head thumped as if drums beat within.

Pushing with her tongue, she tried to spit out the foul-tasting gag, but another piece of fabric around it held it firmly in place. Her stomach rolled and she dry heaved. She had to get out of here, wherever here was.

No windows, and the space was cramped. A broken shovel and a dusty broom lay propped near her head against the tin wall, both covered in spider webs.

While trying to move, she scratched her shoulder against the pitted concrete floor. Dark and all-consuming pain raked through her. Tears streaked down her cheeks and puddled on the floor. She shouldn’t have opened that stupid door when she knew the rules. Ben would be blaming himself for leaving her alone. Oh, and Lydia. Her poor sister would be beside herself. “I need you, Ben,” she mumbled into the cloth. “Find me, please.”

She gritted her teeth and pushed through the searing pain of trying to loosen the bindings.

* * * *

Ben stormed along the concrete terrace toward the service elevator, the photograph in hand. Mimicking the assailant’s movements, he continued past the laundry doors then strode around the corner.

Two flights of steps led down to the meadow, while along the building’s back boundary, the jungle rose thick and strong. Within that dense area, miles upon miles of prime hiding space, lay.

He tapped the image. That waist-high canvas laundry basket was large enough to hold Saria, but he’d have been unable to roll it downstairs.

Across the meadow, a gardener was deadheading red and pink flowering hibiscus bushes, tossing clippings into his wheelbarrow. Ben jogged downstairs and over to the man in green overalls. “Excuse me. A woman has gone missing, and we’re looking for this man. He would have been in this area around five yesterday afternoon. Have you seen anyone of his—”

A dull clatter resonated somewhere within the trees. The hairs on his arms rose, and his senses flared to full alert.

The gardener set his clippers down and peered into the bushes at an old tin shed covered in ivy. “That’s old Wiri’s shed. I haven’t used that for storage in years. Sounds like something dinged against it.”

“I’ll check it out.” Ben shoved through the brush. A boulder was wedged against the door. He rolled it clear and turned the shed’s rusty knob. The door creaked as he hauled it open. Musty air assailed him and on the concrete floor inside, a trickle of light played over a woman’s body.

“Saria?” His heart lurched. He fell to his knees and pressed two fingers against her neck. Her pulse beat weakly. She had to have just been awake, enough to make that noise. Now, she lay completely unresponsive, soaked with sweat. Bruises mottled her arms and legs, and her shoulders were red and raw. As carefully as he could, he removed the bindings contorting her back into a painful arch then untied the cloth around her head. Gently, he slid the stuffed rag holding a trace of chloroform out of her mouth. “I’ll get you out of here, baby. And I’m never going to let you out of my sight ever again. You hear me?”

“Ben?” She moaned and tears leaked from behind her closed eyes.

He scooped her into his arms and her head lolled back, her hands swinging limply down.

“I’m taking you to the doctor now. He’ll make the pain go away.” With Saria tight against his chest, he raced to the main building, shouldered the control room’s door open and yelled at Tyler. “I’ve got her.”

“I’ll cover you.” Tyler shot to his feet, his hand on his weapon.

Ben flew into the clinic and Tyler slammed and locked the door behind them.

“You’ve found her.” Dr. Hika slapped the wheeled bed. “Put her down, as carefully as you can.”

Ben hated to let her go, but he did. “She was inside the old gardening shed at the edge of the jungle.”

“I know the one. The bush grew over it years ago.” The doctor checked her pupils and she flinched and cried out. “She’s waking. Get some ice chips from the corner freezer. I’ll get an IV hooked up. She’s badly dehydrated.”

Ben grabbed a plastic cup from the bench and scooped ice into it. He dribbled a chip over Saria’s lips. She sighed, opened her mouth and licked his fingers.

Cradling her head, he offered her more. “Open your eyes for me, Saria.”

Her lids fluttered and her beautiful brown eyes focused on him.

“Talk to me.” He had to hear her voice.

“Keep wetting her throat, Ben. Give her some time.” Dr. Hika inserted the IV into her wrist then fiddled with the bag hooked onto a pole until clear fluid dripped down. He peered into her eyes. “Saria, I’m giving you some nutrients as well as pain relief in the IV. If you can, tell me where you feel the most pain.”

“M-my back.” Her voice was raspy. “Something’s wrong. Infected.”

“I’ll take a look now.” To Ben, he said, “Roll her onto her good shoulder, the one without the grazes and make sure she can see you at all times. I don’t need her panicking.”

Smoothly, Ben rolled her.

Tyler cleared his throat. “I’ve just sent a message to Gilchrist and Kupita to let them know what’s happened, and copied it to Lydia and Brigs as well.” Tyler cupped Saria’s cheek. “Your sister is so worried about you.”

“M-miss her,” she garbled then grasped Ben’s arm. “S-sorry. Didn’t check. Forgot. Opened door.”

“It’s my fault. I should never have left you unguarded.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’ll never make that mistake again.” On his life, he wouldn’t. “Can you tell me anything about the man who took you?”

“Had hyena tattoo, like Kern and Ladd Hyena. A-after Lydia. Said Mia sent him.”

“That’s good.” He nodded at Tyler. “Pass the information along.”

“I’m onto it.” Tyler’s fingers flew over the keys as he sent another message.

The doctor buzzed around Saria. “The wound’s definitely infected. I’ll add antibiotics to your IV. How’s the pain? Is it lessening?”

She mumbled and her eyelids drooped.

“Saria, no.” Ben shot a look at the doctor. “Do I need to keep her awake?”

“I’m keeping an eye on her vitals. Let her sleep if she can.”

Ben stroked her matted hair as her breathing evened out.

The doctor re-bandaged her wound, washed her face and shoulder and applied a salve. He checked the IV and seemed satisfied. “It’ll be a long night, so feel free to pull up a chair or use the couch in my office if you need to rest.”

“Thanks. We will.”

The doctor gently rolled Saria onto her back and draped a sheet over her.

Ben sat next to her, his fingers firmly threaded through hers as he wished her right back to wakefulness. He pressed his lips to her ear. “If I’d lost you, I would have died. I need you, Saria, alive, and with me.”

His heart ached with how much he needed her.

* * * *

Saria wriggled her trapped feet and tried to shove against whatever held her down.

“Stay still, baby. You’re free and you’re safe.”

“Ben?” She forced her eyes open then blinked at the harsh brightness of the overhead light. Everything spun then slowly settled. She was safe, back with Ben. “Are you real?” Her voice was crap.

“I’m here.”

Images assailed her, of a man with shaggy brown hair and a hyena tattoo. Dr. Hika had cared for her and Ben had fed her ice chips. Tyler had been here too. “Is Lydia okay?”

“Brigs is watching her, and she remains on the ship. Dr. Hika’s just stepped out, but he’ll be back in a minute or two.” His gaze searched hers. “How do you feel?”

She tried to sit up, but the pressure on her bladder made her groan. “I need to use the bathroom.”

“I’ll take you.” He grabbed the IV pole, wrapped one arm around her waist, and helped her slide off the bed and onto her feet.

“Is there any sign of the man who did this to me?” She leaned against the solid warmth of him, her fingers bunched in his cotton shirt and her forehead pressed against his chest. He crowded her, big and tall. No one could hurt her if he was here. He’d never let them.

“No, but we’ll find him. We have his image and soon we’ll have his exact ID. Come on. This way.” He aided her into the large rear bathroom. The overhead fan whirred and fluttered the coral-colored shower curtain.

“What time is it?” With no windows, she couldn’t tell.

“It’s three in the morning. You’ve been asleep for hours.” He guided her into the separate toilet and tipped up her chin, his gaze on hers. “Leave the door unlocked so I can come in if you need me.”

“Okay.” Except she didn’t move, hated the thought of letting go of him.

“I know,” he whispered in her ear. “I’ll be right outside.”

“Promise me.”

“I promise.” Agony crossed his face as he closed the door and left her.

As quick as she could, she tended to her needs then washed her hands in the small white basin. In the oval mirror above it, the depth of her ordeal showed in her sunken eyes, pale skin, and bruised body. She plucked a twig from her hair and flicked it into the wastebasket. She was incredibly lucky Ben had found her.

“Are you all right?” He knocked then opened the door and peeked in. “Do you want to change into something clean? I found a hospital gown in the drawer under the bed.”

“Yes, I smell like that cramped tin shed. I need a quick wash.”

“You got it.” With his hold on her firm, he ushered her toward the metal stool sitting inside the open shower cubicle. He slid her shorts down, left her bikini on then helped her sit. “We’ll have to be careful we don’t get your bandages wet, or the doctor won’t be happy.” He rolled the cuffs on his blue and black paneled shirt to the elbow then flicked the shower lever on and passed her the spray-head.

Carefully, he soaped her front and legs while she rinsed the suds away. Done, he turned the water off, wrapped her in a fluffy blue towel then knelt at her feet. Gently, reverently, he settled his head in her lap. “I need a minute. No moving for you.”

“I couldn’t move if I wanted to.” She needed this moment too. She tangled her fingers in his hair and held onto him.

“I’m sorry, Saria, for everything.” Emotion clogged his voice.

“I don’t remember most of my ordeal. The chloroform kept me out of it until the gag dried out.” She stroked his silky blond hair, reveling in being able to touch him as she pleased. “I shouldn’t have opened that door unless I knew it was you. All I could think was ‘yes, you’re back.’”

“You’ll have a guard no more than a step away from you going forward, and that’ll be me ninety-nine percent of the time.” He slid his arms around her waist, rose higher and looked into her eyes. “Can you tell me anything else about the man who took you?”

“Not much more than I already have. He said I was the bait to get to Lydia then he knocked me out with the chloroform. It was quick.” She tucked a loose strand of his hair behind his ear. “When I came to, I tried to kick the shovel over.”

“You managed it. I heard the clatter.” He clasped her face, brought her mouth to his. His kiss was slow, tender, and brimming with emotion. All too soon though, he pulled away. “Let’s get you dressed.”

“What’s going to happen now? Apart from the whole fulltime guard thing.”

“The man’s clearly after Lydia since she’s the eye witness to the hit-and-run on Taita’s brother. It’s doubtful he’ll leave this island without taking her or returning for you.” He removed her towel, carefully slid the hospital gown over her damp bikini and tied the flapping sides together. “Lydia’s confined again to the ship even though the cove is alarmed, and I intend to get you back to her as quick as I can. There’s only guaranteed safety with the ocean between you and any more possible danger.”

“Is someone watching that shed in case he returns?”

“Officer Kupita has one of his men on it.”

“Will you go after him?” She clutched the pole with one hand and his arm with the other.

“Once I’ve taken care of you, yes. It’s my job to find him, and your job to get better.” Rolling her IV pole along with them, he guided her back to the surgical room. At the steel counter, Dr. Hika sat on a stool writing up notes. He glanced up as he heard them coming.

“I didn’t expect you to rise so soon.” He crossed to her. “How’s the pain?”

“Manageable since you’ve got me juiced up.” She tapped the IV bag.

“Yes, everything you need is in there.” He helped her onto the bed and checked her temperature and vitals before replacing the bag. “You’re doing great. I want you to lie down. With plenty of sleep, you’ll heal quicker.”

She yawned and held out her hand toward Ben. “Can I use your cell phone? I need to call Lydia.”

“Of course.” He pulled the bed sheet over her and made the call. “Hey, Lydia, Saria’s here and demanding to talk to you.” He passed her the phone.

“When have I ever been demanding, Ben?”

“Saria, is that you?” Lydia’s anxious voice pounded down the line.

“Yes, it’s me.”

“Are you okay? Tyler said you were, but I’m so relieved you rang. When are you coming home?”

“As soon as the doc releases me. Hopefully soon. What about you? Are you feeling okay?”

“I’ll be better once you’re here. How’s the pain?”

“There isn’t any with the meds I’m—oh.” Her eyelids drooped. “The doctor’s snuck a sedative in. Can’t….”

“What’s wrong? Stay with me.”

“Can’t. ’Leepy.” Ben’s face wavered, and she slowly shut her eyes. “Don’t leave me,” she whispered to him. “Need you.”

“I’ll always be here. Always.”

The dark took her away, and from the one person she never wanted to leave.

The next morning in the doctor’s surgical room, Ben stirred. He rolled his shoulders and eased the crook in his neck from sleeping in the low-backed chair. Saria lay peacefully nestled on her side, one hand tucked under her cheek and her breath whispering softly between her lips. That sweet sound had finally soothed him into slumber himself.