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Jagger had told Mercedes he’d try to pray. He blew out a breath. “I’ll try, okay?”
“That’s all we can ask.” Shawn sounded a little better.
“Can you get Julie to the hospital?” Hays asked. “I don’t like you alone.”
“She’s doing so much to take care of everything by herself,” Shawn said. “Hopefully she can come soon.”
“Tell her to drop all the other crap. Only you and Mercedes matter,” Jagger said.
“We’ll see. Thanks, guys.” Shawn hung up without saying goodbye.
Hays turned to Jagger and clasped his best friend in a firm embrace. Neither of them said anything. Then they pulled away, and both turned different directions. Jagger was relieved and a little surprised. Usually it was only him that couldn’t handle emotion.
No. Hays sucked at emotion and relationships too. The girl he loved had dumped him the same weekend Jagger had lost Belinda. Now that girl was a famous, wealthy, and dangerous lady, Elizabeth Oliver. Hays never wanted to talk about her, and he dated about as much as Jagger. Only when forced.
Jagger needed to pack a bag and get ready to go hunt down the love of his life. While one of his best friends died. And one of his other best friends held her hand.
He had an awful feeling that he’d never see Mercedes alive again.
His eyes stung again. He rushed for the stairs, pounding up to his suite. He wished he could just go swim, lift weights, or—much better—find Belinda quick, tell her what they were going through, and beg her to just hold him.
None of those things could happen.
Shawn was right.
This sucked.
Chapter
Sixteen
Belinda’s pulse felt like it raced the entire day. It was unnerving to know Jagger and Hays were chasing them and yet she loved thinking of Jagger pursuing her, coming for her, loving her.
She and Paul didn’t slow down and he must’ve stayed up all night last night planning evasive maneuvers. They traversed the island in different vehicles, changed clothes often, and hid her hair in a hat. He almost made her dye her hair, but luckily he didn’t dare slow down for that. She didn’t know if his pride was on the line or if he just genuinely wanted her to win the money.
By a little after five p.m., they were in Waimea Canyon on the south side of the island. The Uber driver let them out and they took off on the Waimea Canyon River Trail.
“I haven’t seen any sign of them,” Paul said proudly, checking over his shoulder again. “If we can keep up a fast pace, I don’t know how they’ll reach us before six.”
“That’s amazing. Thank you.” Her legs, feet, and the shoes rubbing against the blisters on her heels hurt, but she kept moving. She wanted that million dollars for her charity, but she wanted Jagger more. Was he missing her? Surprised he hadn’t caught them? Ready to be done with her and their confusing muddle of a relationship?
She prayed for him as they hiked along the beautiful trail, thick with greenery with occasional views of the river. She prayed for her dad, her mom, Hays, Paul, Mercedes, and Shawn.
Darkness washed over her, and she looked over her shoulder. She couldn’t see anybody. The darkness was … in front of them. What did that mean? Was she simply feeling the pressure of Hays and Jagger tracking them? Stress over her and Jagger’s relationship? Recurring fear from being a hostage and seeing those men killed?
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The verse from Philippians always calmed her, but she was strung tight right now.
“How are your legs and blisters and feet?” Paul asked.
Belinda smiled at him. “Tender, but nothing I can’t handle for a million dollars.”
“You’re a tough lady.” He smiled back and kept moving.
She checked her watch. Five-thirty. Almost there.
The longer they walked away from civilization, the quieter it became and the more uneasy Belinda felt. Just them and the river and some animals. What else was hiding out there in the green abyss? Her feet should want to move faster, carry her away from her pursuers, but she found herself dragging, not wanting to go forward.
