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“Twenty-five miles long and thirty-three miles at its longest point. You could drive around the entire island in about two hours. Except the Na Pali coastline isn’t drivable. So not all the way around.” He shrugged.
“Not big,” Paul muttered.
“No, and there are no large cities to get lost in, but there are loads of trails, rivers, and waterfalls,” Shawn said. “You’ll each have a white Jeep in the garage. There are hundreds of white Jeeps on Kauai, so that should help you bled in, but like I said earlier, you can ditch your Jeep for an Uber. You just might want to pick it up after you get tagged so you can escape faster the next morning.”
“You’re assuming we’ll get tagged,” Paul said.
“I am.” Shawn smirked. “This afternoon, you’ll relax and get to know each other.”
Bee’s stomach tumbled. She knew Jagger too well. At least she used to. If only they could sit and talk, catch up like old friends. She caught his gaze on her and envisioned the ‘talk.’ He’d say something and set her off. She’d teasingly push at his chest. He’d catch her hands and pull her in. They’d be kissing before five minutes were up. Her face flushed, and she had to look away.
“Tuesday through Saturday, Jagger or Hays have to tag you each day to win the game.”
“So if they miss me tomorrow, the jig is up?”
“Yes.” Shawn nodded to her.
“Don’t start with the crocodile tears, Bee.” Jagger folded his burly arms across his chest. How on earth had his arms gotten so thick and muscular? He’d had a broad frame but lean muscles, borderline too thin, when she knew him. He gave her a smoldering look that probably singed the ends of her hair. “I’ll make certain you get to spend the entire week with me.”
Bee could only gape at him. Then she remembered … how was that pretending not to know each other?
She rolled her eyes, threw her hip out, and folded her own arms over her chest. “In your dreams, sailor boy.”
“You are,” he said softly.
Those two words and the meaningful look in his dark eyes hurled her out of any hope of surviving this week. He couldn’t mean that. Did he mean that? She dreamed about him often, but she wouldn’t tell him that. Especially while the stupid cameras were rolling. She looked at Shawn with a pleading gaze and a grimace.
Shawn nodded and said softly, “Jag.”
Jagger glanced at Shawn. Their gazes went through a battle of wills and then Shawn mouthed Mercedes.
Surprisingly, Jagger backed down, looking around the airport as if checking their security. A small plane buzzed overhead.
She knew Shawn was involved with the beautiful and charitable Mercedes Belle. What if Jagger was too? Why would he back down for Mercedes? Because she was his boss or because he loved her? Hadn’t they said this was her dying wish? How could Belinda casually bring that up? It was torture not knowing near enough about the man she’d always loved. Ugh. Used to love.
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, she recited in her mind. Her faith and her Savior would get her through this.
“Where was I?” Shawn cleared his throat. “If you can survive just one day without getting tagged, you win the million dollars for Gardening Goodness.”
“Sweet.”
“Lieutenant Braven is here to assist you in any way. The only thing he can’t do is place himself directly in front of your back or front to prevent you from getting hit.”
Paul nodded that he understood.
“You will all be staying in a villa on Anini Beach. The northwest corner of the island.”
“Wait a minute.” Belinda held up a hand. “We’re all staying together?” Her voice pitched up. Did she shriek? She didn’t like when she shrieked, but … come on. She couldn’t be sleeping in some ‘villa’ with Jagger in the next bedroom over. What if it was a small villa? What if they were stepping on each other’s toes all week? Sharing a bathroom? Her face flushed imagining him walking out of their shared bathroom without his shirt on.
“Yes, ma’am.” Shawn smiled at her and glanced at Jagger. Jagger’s face looked impassive now. Because of the Mercedes reminder? Was he dating her? Why were he and Shawn not at odds if they were both in love with the same woman?
“It’s a large villa,” Shawn said. “Four suites, so you can all have your privacy.”
She’d need that privacy. At least she would have her own bathroom. She put a hand to her forehead. Did she have a fever? Possibly.
“You’ll have plenty of space, but please remember that cameras are on in the main areas of the house and the back patio. Anything you say or do will be recorded and could be used on the show.”
Belinda grimaced.
