Page 45 of His to Take

Without a moment’s hesitation, I reached for Ryker’s belt. He grabbed my upper arm and jerked me backwards.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he yelled in my face.

“I’m the lightest. The bridge will hold me and him. I’m sure of it,” I exclaimed.

Without waiting for his permission, I unbuckled his belt and yanked it from his pants, running forward and looping it around left-hand bridge cable. I whipped my own from my jeans and buckled it around the other side. Ryker had run with me,practically seething and still holding my arm, but he didn’t stop me. His eyes burned with his reluctance

“I can do this,” I yelled out, a crack of thunder drowning out my words as soon as they left my lips.

With a heavy sigh, his fingers slowly released me.

“You be careful, little one. Don’t do anything foolish,” he warned. I swallowed hard. There was nothing in his expression indicating that any of that was said in jest, so I nodded quickly, letting him know I understood. I glanced down at the belt and back at him.

“Yes, sir,” I said.

“Come back to me,” he whispered. His voice shook with emotion, and I tried not to think too much into it.

“I will. I promise,” I answered, just loud enough for him to hear me.

I turned back to the bridge, gripping both handholds as I slid forward. Each step was deliberate but quick—I didn’t have time to waste. Jamie’s time was growing short. He was hanging by one arm, his body swinging in the wind, panic written all over his face. He had made it about two-thirds of the way across, but the journey ahead still seemed impossibly long.

Carefully, I unbuckled one belt, knelt down, and looped it around the lower cable. The cables swayed beneath me, and I shifted my weight to keep steady. Holding the loop open for him, I shouted against the rising wind, “Swing your other arm through the belt! You’ve got this!”

Jamie’s wild eyes met mine as his legs swung helplessly. He managed to hook his arm into the second loop, clinging with sheer desperation.

“Use your legs! Don’t waste all your energy on your arms!” I called out. The wind drowned out my voice, but he seemed to hear. He kicked his right leg up, catching the cable with his ankle.

It creaked ominously, but I knew it would hold.

“Now pull yourself up!” I yelled, trying to keep my voice steady despite the pounding in my chest.

He tried—but his wet hand slipped at the last moment. Before I could think, I threw myself forward, grabbing his flailing hand with both of mine. The belt cut into my arm, but it held firm. My muscles screamed as I yanked him up far enough for him to catch the other belt loop.

This time, he made it. He clung to the cable, panting, his feet finally finding purchase. I adjusted the belt, securing his hold, and turned around to face him, putting my back to our destination.

“We’re almost there. Take a deep breath, Jamie. You got this. Look at my eyes,” I shouted. Jamie’s eyes were now laser focused on me, but he was obviously still panicked.

“Keep your knees bent and soft. Use both loops. Don’t move until you feel stable,” I added.

He sucked in a big breath and slowly blew it out.

“It’s not that much farther. Stay with me,” I coached. I slid my feet backwards, using the one belt while Jamie used two. We made it all the way to the other side safely. Just as I was about tostep off the bridge, a pair of strong arms wound around my waist and pulled me back.

“Ryker! I’m fine,” I scoffed, and his arms squeezed a bit. Jamie stumbled onto the ground beside me, breathing heavy and throwing himself down flat on his back in sheer relief to have made it. He stared at the sky with dilated pupils, and I could see the pounding of his heart through his tight t-shirt.

Ryker’s face was unreadable.

“Why don’t we find cover and make our way to Cressida when the rain stops,” I suggested.

His grip around my waist finally loosened.

“I’m alright,” I added, and he nodded, finally releasing me from his grasp. He looked around like he was remembering that he was in front of others for the first time and his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down noticeably.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” he mumbled, the emotion still obvious in his tone. Luckily, Jamie’s panting was enough to cover it up. I grabbed my backpack and slung it back over my shoulders.

“Let’s go,” I called out. Ryker followed, his expression pensive. I kept my eyes on the ground, watching for loose rock or slick mud. Eventually, we found a spot that was partially covered by a rock overhang and waited out the rain in silence. I found myself glancing at him from time to time, trying to figure out what he was thinking.

When he happened to catch me looking, my heart swelled.

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