Page 118 of Trust My Bodyguard

“Brody, you need back up.” Callum’s eyebrows lift as I step toward the agitated group. “Whoever it is must be dangerous.”

“Then be my backup,” I say through clenched teeth. “I’m not leaving Ivy alone.”

Can’t.

Without waiting for more input, I strap on the goggles. The left lens is cracked, but it’s a nonissue as I take off down the slopes, following the snowmobile’s track. The frosty wind whooshes past my face, stinging my skin and watering my half-exposed eye. Without the complete gear, I’m being battered, but it’s nothing compared to the feeling clogging up my throat. Anything could be happening to Ivy right now, and I can’t stop it.

Hold on, baby. I’m coming.

I glance skyward and send up a quick prayer. Sudden snowfalls aren’t uncommon in these parts. But I can’t have that tonight. The snowmobile tracks need to stay clear so I can find Ivy.

Gritting my teeth, I accelerate. My sides heave with the effort and my muscles bunch up but I keep going, keep pushing.

Nightfall eats up the evening light and presses around me, pulsing like my aching heart. The lights illuminating the trail stave off the dark but only just. Beyond the glow, it’s anyone’s guess what’s happening.To Ivy.

Despair closes frosty digits around my heart. Their trail goes farther and farther. Deeper onto the resort’s grounds. He must have ridden hard and fast. The accidents that could occur with that kind of reckless speed flash in my head.

I put that thought out of my mind. Since the tracks continue, Ivy is still alive, and she’s waiting for me to come rescue her.

A distant flickering light pierces the dark. I squint in its direction, pressing the breaks on my mad dash. A cabin comes into view in the distance. I eye the building. It’s one of the few littered around the property for anyone who loses their way and needs a place to stay.

Or a hiding spot for a kidnapper with nefarious plans.

I come to a stop on a hill and peer at the cabin. It’s difficult in the dark but combining the low light coming from the cabin’s window and the form of a white snowmobile sitting in front of the building, certainty crystalizes in my chest. The snowmobile is the same as the many that were disabled in the resort’s garage. Got him.

The instinct to rush in guns blazing tears through me, but I stuff it down. That would be foolish since I don’t have a gun, but he does. Ivy’s also in there. I don’t want her to get in the way of a stray bullet.

Swallowing the fear for her life that threatens to incapacitate me, I free myself of my ski gear. I don’t have an alternative footwear, but I shuck off the ski boots anyway. I can’t let them get in the way of rescuing Ivy. Cold seeps into my soles, but I can barely feel anything except the rapid thud of my heart as I take off. I bend at the waist and stay low, getting as close to the cabin as possible.

The open window allows a trickle of light that reflects on the panes. I walk within the tree line, looking for a good vantage point. Then I find it. I remain crouched, looking inside.

I see him. The man who took Ivy. He has a gun in his hand, finger on the trigger, waving the goddamned thing like a fool. He is a fool. He doesn’t realize the wrath he has earned by taking Ivy. My hands close into fists, and my body grows tight with the need to pummel something. I take a deep breath and calm myself for the moment. I’ll get the chance soon enough.

Moving further, I find who I’m looking for. Ivy. My heart thumps in my chest at the sight of her. She’s strapped to the chair, arms pressed to her sides. He did a thorough job keeping her locked in. But her mouth is free, and she’s speaking. Even leaning forward to yell at him.

My breath stutters in my chest as the gun is pressed to her forehead. But she doesn’t back down. She stares past the barrel at him, daring him.

Stubborn, stubborn woman.

I can’t waste a second more. She’ll push him to hurt her, and then I’ll have to kill him.

I round the property and move as stealthily as I can. My heartbeat sounds louder than my footfalls, so that must mean I am quiet enough. I come up close to the cabin, and the mix of their arguing voices reaches me. Staying low, I inch my way up to the front.

My fist tightens around a stick I. I lift it and slam it against the side of the cabin. The sounds inside cut off.

“What is that?” the man says.

“How should I know? I’m in here. Not out there.”

“Shut up,” he says to her.

Don’t tell her to shut up. Only I get to do so.

I hit the wall again.

“You should check on whatever is out there,” Ivy says. “Maybe it’s a bear.”

“Maybe I’ll feed you to it.”

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