I’m somewhere between giving up and seeing how much more I can handle. I woke sometime before the helicopter landed on the monstrous yacht. It’s a freaking floating palace. The men accompanying me were dressed in combat gear and carrying heavy ammunition. Whoever it is I’ve been taken by is filthy rich and paranoid as hell. Every ten feet, there’s a soldier posted as I’m escorted to my holding cell, or in this case, a luxurious stateroom without a view on the lower deck, two flights down.

I was shoved into this room, where the lock was on the outside. I pounded on the door until both fists were badly bruised and caked with dried blood where the skin split open. It’s been hours, possibly? Who knows. Why am I here? I want to go home. I need my Hulk to hold me and reassure me everything is going to turn out okay.

Damn it. Where’s Lukas? Oh, God! Is he hurt? Somewhere deep inside of me recognizes he would have to be for me to be here. This is all my fault. I knew things would go south after I had that nightmare. It was too real to ignore. Déjà vu. Been there, done it, got the ticket, and all that jazz, isn’t cutting it at the moment.

Thankfully, the migraine I was suffering from earlier has receded some, but the lingering effects of the drug used on me to knock me out and the rocking motion of the yacht are causing me to wish for anti-nausea medication.

Lukas will come for me. I know he will. Nothing will stand between him finding me as long as he’s not hurt and in the hospital.

How did they get me past all the security? The only Trident Security team members I could find in the crowd were Moose and Beauty, but I’m positive there were others there. Lukas ensured me they were all on alert and contingency plans were in place. Whatever the hell that means.

There is a slight chill in the salty air, and fatigue has settled deep into my bones. I’m so tired but scared to death to close my eyes. Too many unanswered questions. There’s a fully stocked bar with some cheese and fruit. I’m hungry and the food is enticing me. I want a shower and a change of clothes. I can prop a chair against the bathroom door for privacy. The hot water will help.

I drag the heavy desk chair into the tiny bathroom and prop it against the door. I found a pair of women’s shorts and a tank top in the dresser drawers. No underwear, but I haven’t been wearing any, so not much difference there. I turn the faucet on high, and hot water rains down. Adjusting the temperature, I unbuckle the clasp at the nape of my neck and release it. It pools at the bottom of my feet. I don’t remove my jewelry. The room fills with steam, helping to relieve some of the pressure in my throbbing temples. I step into the shower and quickly rinse off the grime.

When I’m finished, I towel off and hurry to put the clean clothes on. I don’t want to be caught with my pants down, or in this case, shorts.

I release the chair from the door and pull it back to the desk. I check out the bottled water and decide to give it a try. I’m parched from the medicine and the drug. I twist the bottle open and take a large gulp. The sounds up above filter to the cabin below. There is an incoming helicopter arriving. I might get some answers soon, or not.

Voices carry and heavy footsteps stop outside the door. I gulp trying to hide my fear over the impending meeting with the unknown kidnapper. The lock slides and the door swings open. A large-framed soldier enters into the room carrying a tray. He sits it down on the cherry-wood table and pivots to leave.

I finally find my tongue. “Stop. Wait. Please. Tell me why I’m here. Why did you bring me here?”

His step doesn’t falter. He leaves the room, shutting the door, and the lock slides into place. I move toward the table, curious as to what he dropped off and left. I lift the first circular round top, and a plate of food is revealed. The intoxicating aroma of baked fish and vegetables inundates my senses, causing my tummy to rumble with hunger. I replace the lid and reach for the next one, revealing a handwritten note.

The food is for your nourishment and health. Please eat it with my compliments. Relax and rest, and we will conduct our business soon.

Things just got a whole lot interesting. Do I dare? I need to keep my strength up if I’m going to find a way to escape. In a nanosecond, the decision is made. I grab the fork and lift a flaky bite of the sea bass to my lips. It’s succulent. I’m ravenous and scarf down the entire plate. When I’m done, I return to the couch to wait.

Lukas is out there searching for me. I believe it with all my heart. When I see him, I’m going to tell him exactly how I feel. I’m going to quit playing and grow up. I’m tired of the loneliness and emptiness inside. He makes me feel alive. I want to spend the rest of my life with him. It doesn’t matter if it’s only one more day; I want that day to be with him. I need him to be in my life. To share in my happiness and sorrows. He’s the one. He’s my Jolly Green Hulk.

I prop my head on my bent arm, lying sideways on the couch, and stretch my legs out. I’m so tired, but I fight to stay awake. My thoughts drift to Lukas and finding a way out of here. My eyelids begin to get heavy. I keep blinking, attempting to keep them open. It’s no use. Before I know what’s happening, I’ve drifted off to sleep.

Hours or minutes later, who knows, I have no way to tell. With no outside light, I have no indication as to whether it’s day or night. I yawn and extend my limbs, releasing pent-up air. I glance around the room and automatically notice the missing food tray. Someone entered the room while I was asleep and removed it. Uneasiness seeps into my consciousness. I need to get out of here. I do a self-check and find nothing out of the ordinary. The clothes I put on before are wrinkled, and there isn’t any wetness or soreness between my thighs.

What game is he playing? There I go again, assuming the kidnapper is a man. What if it’s a woman? At this point, nothing would surprise me. The evening should have ended with Lukas and me at home in bed together. Not separated by God knows how many miles of water and land. What do they want with me?

The waiting game is beginning to drive me up one wall and down the other. I have no way to judge how much time has passed, and twirling my thumbs has gotten old. I’m used to working from the time I wake up until sleep claims me. ‘Idle hands are the devil’s workshop’ is something my Grandma pounded into me growing up.

Tapping my feet to a beat in my head, I throw down an outdated magazine. I read the few lying around front to back. The stateroom walls are starting to shrink, and I am in desperate need of fresh air and a little sunshine. My thoughts keep returning to Lukas and my foolish stubborn pride. Years of being by myself because I believed any relationship I had would be like my parents’. He’s helped me so much. I am nothing like them. I am Sage Blackwood, a passionate woman with the capacity to love and cherish the man I love.

I finally had opened my feelings towards him, allowing myself to bond with the man driving me wild with desire for long-ago wishes. The childhood dreams of the perfect husband and little feet running around a home filled with love and happiness within my grasp. If I make it out this situation alive, he’s going to know exactly how I feel. Stubbornness be damned. I want Lukas to know I love him and he is the most important person in my life.

A noise outside the door alerts me to the sliding lock. The door opens, and I can barely contain the fury pumping through my veins when the culprit walks into the room.

“What the hell? Malik?” I abruptly stand, peering around his large frame for an escape route or possible help.

He slams the door and strolls in as if he owns the place, holding a tray of food. He sets it on the round table and turns around to face me. His gaze sweeps up and down my body. Instinctively, my hand attempts to cover my cleavage when his piercing eyes land on my boobs.

“Lovely Sage, you are well?”

“Well? Um, that would be a big negative. I was taken by force from the Plaza in Lakeview to wake up in a helicopter God only knows where over a giant body of water only to be stuffed in here.” I take a deep breath and ask, “Why am I here, Malik?”

“An opportunity presented itself.”

“Opportunity?” I squeak.

“Yes. From the moment we met, you have been mine—we connected, you and me. The way you looked at me drew me into your snare. I want for no other. When you left Dubai, I followed you and protected you. I made sure you knew I was keeping you safe from harm, watching over you, but then you went and let him touch you.”

“I’m sorry. What are you talking about? We only had dinner once. It wasn’t a date. Just friends, remember?”

“You are wrong, Sage. We are so much more than friends.”

“Who the fuck do you think you are bringing me here? I mean, honestly, you took me against my will. Insinuating there is a romantic relationship between us? When there’s not. I demand you take me back immediately. I don’t want to be here, Malik. You’re keeping me here without my consent.”

“You are so wrong. You want to be with me. You chose to come.”

“Delusional much? Please. Let me go. I want to go home.”

“I have to return to my post. My shift is scheduled to begin soon. I will check on you when it ends. Enjoy your refreshments.”

“Malik!” I bolt from the other side of the room, running to the door only to have the lock on the other slide into place. I bang on the solid wood and yell his name repeatedly.

“Please let me go! I want to go home!”

My voice is slightly hoarse from my high-pitched cries for help, and the consistent pounding on the door has my fists throbbing, but I don’t waiver from the effort. Helplessness, agony, and desperation blanket me, unwelcome companions emerging from times gone by. “Lukas, where are you?”

I’m crumbled on the thick carpet, leaning alongside the obstacle in between me and freedom when the doorknob above me fractionally twists and returns to its former position. I frantically scoot backwards on my butt, searching around the room for a weapon to use. The high-heeled shoe positioned on the floor gets my attention. I hug it close as fear and anger knot inside me. If I overpower him, I might have a chance to escape. I could hide in the bowels of the ship and search for a satellite phone to call for help. My mind is a crazy mixture of hope and unease with so many scenarios floating about in it.

The sound of the locking mechanism moving along the other side barely registers and the knob slowly rotates. The door inches open. The silence in the room is deafening. I raise the heel above my head, primed and ready to strike my victim. My pulse beats rapidly on the verge of erupting. The barrel of a gun protrudes through the cracked door. I choke back a scream and focus on the gloved hand that appears.

I attack. The heel flies out of my hand across the room to land on the bed by a second masked man. I’m twisted around sideways, my thrashing arms anchored by my sides. I’m shoved up against the wall and a large body when a giant hand covers my mouth, smothering the bubbling scream about to transpire.

“Shh, princess, it’s me,” a familiar male voice whispers.

Right away, I quit moving.

Lukas? I’m stunned, amazed, and shaken. Relief spreads like a wildfire at the realization the cavalry has arrived. I’m saved.

“Not a peep. I’m going to remove my hand. Nod your head if you understand,” he adds softly.

I do as he requests and instantly, he claims my lips, crushing me with a soul-shattering kiss. Then, just as quickly as it began, he raises his mouth from mine and passionately gazes into my eyes.

“You ready to blow this joint, babe?”