As we got closer to our destination—or what I could only assume was our destination—Owen seemed to retract further into his shell. As difficult as he was to get along with, I found myself attracted to the mysterious man. When he was in a good mood, he was a riot to be around. When he retreated into his mind, however, it was another story altogether.

“So, are we almost…wherever it is we’re going?” I asked quietly, watching the scenery race past us.

He remained silent, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. I rolled my eyes, determining that he seemed to be intent upon brooding.

“I’ve never actually been this way, before. I think we’re getting there,” he said, not sounding entirely sure of himself.

I squinted at him, but he played oblivious to my stare, keeping his eyes straight ahead. I didn’t know why I’d assumed he knew his way around the area, as that clearly didn’t seem to be the case. I guess he was just good at keeping cool under pressure. I clicked my tongue against my teeth, trying to gauge how far we were from my apartment complex.

It had been mere minutes since we’d made the great escape, and while he wasn’t dawdling by any means, I hadn’t exactly been tracking the speedometer. Guam wasn’t a large island by any means, but I would guess we were about ten miles away from my complex.

The only thing I really knew that existed in this direction was an American military base, and…well, that made sense. He did mention being in the military.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll get us there in one piece,” I said, not intending to sound as dismissive as I did.

He seemed nonplussed, even seeming to cheer up a bit at the comment.

“I’m glad for your vote of confidence, Miss Madden. I do see that my passengers receive their due luxury in service,” he said in a haughty tone.

I snickered, hiding my mouth behind my hand by force of habit before a short gasp spilled past my lips as he made a sharp turn down a side road I’d never really paid any mind to. I squeaked, gripping the sides of my seat as I was nearly thrown to the side of the car.

“If this is your idea of luxury, I have some disappointing news for you,” I griped, waiting for an apology.

When it didn’t come, I caught him trying to keep a straight face.

“How is that funny? You could have damaged me! You could have damaged a priceless package, and you’re laughing,” I demanded, rather dramatically.

I couldn’t be too chagrined when he began to laugh even harder, though I did huff a bit.

“Priceless, are you? You seem to have a high opinion of yourself, Miss Madden,” he chuckled.

I smirked, dancing my fingertips across his arm.

“I recognize quality when I see it. I’ve been around exorbitant wealth for most of my life, you understand. I know you couldn’t begin to fathom what it’s like to be a shining star in a sea of mediocrity. It’s all right. I understand your point of view—truly, I do,” I teased, smiling daringly.

He grunted, and I thought that may have been the only way he would acknowledge me. When he began to swing from one side of the road to the other in snake-like motions, throwing me to and fro in the car, I had to swallow a squeal.

“You’re too much, you know that? I’m going to show you damaged goods, princess,” he said, laughing.

“I’m going to barf in your nice little car,” I warned.

“That’s attractive,” he said without missing a beat.

Suddenly, we came to a stop in front of a sprawling military base, and he winked before getting out of the car. I hesitated, considering being petulant for a moment longer.

Deciding to be agreeable, I got out of the car, screeching as he flung my bag at me. I barely managed to catch it, glaring in his direction before I checked to make sure my photo album was in one piece.

“How gentlemanly of you,” I said drolly, but he simply smiled like he was entirely too pleased with himself.

He grabbed his own bags, gesturing for me to follow him. I obliged, trudging the path he led until he came face to face with another large, muscular man, though this was clearly the older of the two.

“Commander Parks, just checking in to let you know I’ll be taking one of your planes for a time. My commander at the Hawaii base should have gotten in touch with you. Commander Gomez?” Owen prompted, receiving a smile and a nod from the other man.

“We have one waiting for you. I take it the mission was a success?” he asked Owen, glancing at me with a toothy grin.

“So far. Just got the last leg of the trip to make,” he replied, receiving a swift salute that he answered with one of his own.

“Be on your way, then. Godspeed,” the commander called over his shoulder as he walked away.

I watched the two with a frown, glancing towards Owen, who tilted his head for me to follow him. I sighed, but played the part of a good captive, trailing behind the man.

“So, where are we going from here? The last leg, as you said,” I asked, watching as he hoisted one of his bags a little higher.

“You’ll find out when we get there, Miss Priceless Package,” he replied simply.

I growled, rushing to fall into place beside him.

“I didn’t come along with you to be left in the dark. This is my future we’re talking about, Owen! I didn’t leave my cage just to find myself with another captor,” I hissed.

He paused, looking me up and down before beginning to load up the plane he’d chosen.

“Listen, Emily. I don’t know what you were expecting, but there are rules. I can’t just let you run around willy-nilly when there’s a reason we got you out of there to begin with. It wasn’t just out of the kindness of our hearts,” he said harshly, grabbing my bag from my hands and stuffing it in the cargo area as well.

I tried not to let his words get to me, didn’t want to allow him the satisfaction of seeing that he’d wounded me. I hadn’t really entertained the idea that this was anything more than a job for him, but the confirmation hurt just the same.

“I understand,” I said, my voice cracking cursedly. Owen seemed to sense that he’d gone too far, offering me an apologetic look. “Let’s just go,” I continued coolly, allowing him to help me up into the plane.

He hopped in as well, checking the gauges while occasionally glancing towards me as if he expected it to escape my notice. The casual banter we’d shared in the car was absent, and truthfully, all I wanted was to relax for the first time since our great escape.

“You have to understand, Emily,” he began, but I turned away and resolved to ignore him.

I could feel his eyes on me for a moment longer, but he seemed to take the hint.

Just a few minutes later, we were taking off. The view was beautiful, and I only wished I could be enjoying it with someone who actually wanted to be in my company.

“We’re going to California. I’m taking you to a safe house before handing you over to the FBI. I know it’s probably the last thing you want to hear, but…you deserve to know,” he told me quietly.

Feeling my body go stiff, I considered the implications of his words. I had known that there could only be one real reason that the United States government would pull me out of Guam. As much as I’d have liked to think it was just an act of kindness, I knew that the FBI had been seeking out my father for some time now.

“So…from one cage to another, then?” I asked wearily, and he exhaled a sigh in response.

“If you comply, you might be placed in a witness protection program or something similar. I don’t imagine they plan to keep you locked away, after all; you’ve not broken any laws…have you?” Owen asked hesitantly.

“Would it make any difference? What would you think of me, then? It’s not like you could think less of me than you already do,” I said coldly.

He reached over to rest a hand on my shoulder, and I tried not to flinch under his touch. As much as I enjoyed the sensation of his hands on me, I hated the idea that his mission was to get me to betray my father.

“I don’t think badly of you, Emily. I think you’re a good person who got wrapped up in a bad situation. It’s not your fault. Your father has committed a number of crimes, and, well…things like that don’t go unpunished forever,” he said carefully.

I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the ache in my heart. I had been so excited to get away from my father’s grasp, I didn’t stop to think how it might affect the only family that I had left. I didn’t want to hurt my father. I didn’t want to see him jailed.

“He just…he needs help. He’s not a bad person,” I mumbled.

Owen kept quiet, and I took that as a cue to quiet down as well. A single tear rolled down my cheek at the thought of turning my back on the only person who cared about me, but there was nothing to be done from that point forward.

“I believe you. Grief does crazy things to a person. He’ll get the help he needs in prison. He won’t be able to just run away from his problems. It’s not exactly the ideal situation, but would you rather he continue down this path forever?” he murmured.

I sniffled, trying to obscure my tears in spite of the truth in his words.

“Try and get some sleep. I’ll wake you once we land in California. You’ll like adjusting to life in the States again, I’m sure of it,” he said with forced cheerfulness.

As much as I doubted my ability to ‘adjust’, as he so claimed, I didn’t argue. There wasn’t any point. My decision had been made, and I had to stick with it. Not that I’d had much of a choice to begin with.