Chapter 209
Xena’s POV
I looked at Ama, a wave of gratitude washing over me despite my underlying concern. The pallor of her face worried me more than I wanted to admit.
“Do you need a snack? Fruit? Nuts? What would you like?” I asked, unable to mask the worry in my voice.
Ama glanced up at me, her eyes tired. “Oscar Mayer.”
I shifted my gaze from her to Ryder. He nodded once before leaving the room, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.
We worked for about fifteen minutes in relative silence. I was focused on the design samples for my shop when suddenly, Ama lurched forward and vomited into her trash can. William returned at that exact moment, witnessing the scene without flinching.
Without a word, he handed her a bottle of water and grabbed the garbage bag. His movements were so natural, so practiced, it made me wonder how long she’d been feeling this way.
“Have you tried Gatorade? I asked, my mind immediately going to solutions.
William looked at me, confusion crossing his features. “What do you mean?”
Electrolytes. She needs electrolytes. Gatorade or even Pedialyte would work,” I explained, my voice taking on that clinical calmness I used whenever I needed to hide my true feelings.
William turned to Ama. “What flavor would you like?”
“Oh, um,
lemon,” she replied weakly.
I couldn’t help but scrunch up my face. “Lemon?” The disbelief was evident in my tone.
ned, my
“I know it sounds weird, but it sounds really good right now.” Ama gave me a look that said she understood my reaction. A small smile flickered across her pale face, and I felt my heart ease just a little.
Ryder returned with food just as William was heading out to dispose of the trash bag. He placed the food on the table near us and
walked to the desk to begin his own work. Ama started eating while continuing to sort through photos.
“X?” Ama said after about five minutes.
“What?” I asked without looking up from the flooring samples I was examining.
“What does this look like to you?” She handed me a photograph.
It was actually a picture of Ryder and me having sex in the forest. I was straddling him while he leaned against a tree. Heat rushed to my face as I recognized exactly when this had been taken.
“Looks like a good time?” I asked, looking at her, trying to cover my embarrassment and growing unease with humor.
“I mean, behind you guys. Is that a hand?”
Taking the photo from Ama, I examined it more closely. It did indeed look like a hand, just a hand, in the background. This area was part of the forest we hadn’t explored yet. It was on the edge but deep enough that no one should have seen us. The risk of being discovered was part of what had made having sex there so exciting. Yet this photo had been taken during that time, with a hand visible in the background. My blood ran cald, a chill of fear crawling up my spine.
Chapter 209
“Ryder…” I stood up, my voice trembling despite my attempts to control it.
He moved to my side immediately. “What is it?” His voice was steady and firm, but I could tell he sensed my fear.
Does this look like a hand to you?” I pointed it out. My heart raceds that familiar panic began to set in, the same feeling I’d had during the kidnapping..
“It… does.” His confirmation made my fear more real.
Ryder looked at me, his expression sharpening with alertness. “I’ll investigate this. Don’t leave this room. Understand? I’ll have a guard posted out front.”
“Wait!” I called as he turned to leave. “Could you… have someone else posted out front?” I asked hesitantly, but I could feel myself starting to panic. The feeling of being watched, of not knowing who was watching us, took me back to that dark basement.
“I’ll have William come back?”
“Yes.” I nodded, grateful for his understanding.
Ryder turned to leave again. “But! Wait until he gets here before you go, okay?” I hated sounding so dependent, but in this moment, fear was winning.
“Okay He agreed, his eyes full of understanding and protection.
I looked down, ashamed of my vulnerability. While I wouldn’t let the kidnapping experience defeat me, I couldn’t lie and say I wasn’t afraid. I slowly sat back down and picked up my scissors. My hands were shaking, but I continued cutting. Ama seemed to notice my distress but didn’t speak, just continued with her own work.
Time stretched on endlessly until William finally appeared in the doorway.
“Stay here with the girls. I need to check on something, and don’t let Xena out of your sight no matter what,” Ryder commanded. I could hear the tension in his voice.
“Got it.”
Ryder nodded and ran out the door.
William walked in, Gatorade in hand. After handing it to Ama, he sat down.
“Could you… close the door?” I asked quickly, the tremor in my voice betraying my fear.
“Sure?” William rose to close the door.
“Lock it?”
William gave me a puzzled look but nodded. After locking the door, he gave me a questioning glance, asking if I was satisfied. I nodded. He sat down beside Ama, watching us work. I tried to focus, but my thoughts kept drifting to that mysterious hand and what Ryder might be doing right now.
“Ryder?” I asked through our mind link, desperate to hear his voice.
“Are you okay?” He asked, knowing full well that Las not.
“Can we keep this open?
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Chapter 209
“Of course.” He sounded like he was running.
“I’m sorry, 1-
“Don’t be sorry. I’m always here for you,” Ryder said with so much love that I almost teared up.
“Are you there yet?”
