Page 9 of Bearnapped at the Altar

“For now, but what are you gonna do about them?” I pointed out the window at the beasts who were miraculously keeping pace with us. “They’re gonna catch us.”

“They won’t. I guarantee.” Barrett loosened his shirt, and I was drawn to the patch of hair that became visible as he undid the buttons. He was big and burly, which boded well for his Sawtooth Security claim.

But until the adrenaline stopped pumping through my veins at warp speed, I reserved the right to be slightly skeptical and totally pissed at him for the way he handled this.

“Everyone saw what you did. There were cameras everywhere!” I reminded him. Most dudes I hung out with would never admit to watching reality shows. It was possible this bear had underestimated the overwhelming presence of cameras. “There’s no way you’ll get away with this. I’ll be worse off than before.”

“I can drop you off here, if you want.” The driver pumped the breaks, punctuating his statement. I held out my hand not to crash into the front seat. “Or you can trust us.”

Barrett’s mouth was set in a hard line. I wasn’t sure who’d pissed him off—me or his partner in literal crime.

My money was on me.

The feeling was mutual, my dude.

A rumble emitted from deep inside him.

No, I absolutely could not like that. I needed to make sure I was safe before I developed a case of Stockholm syndrome.

“You called me,” he reminded me. “How would you have handled this situation differently?”

What a frustratingly sensible question. “Maybe we could’ve done this in a more discreet fashion? Like you could’ve let me know you were coming, for starters.”

He shook his head. “Wouldn’t have worked.”

“Why not?” I demanded. At least if he’d given me a heads up, I wouldn’t have been in danger of peeing my fake wedding dress. It would’ve served him right if I had. I held in my snicker at the thought. “Like this is better? I’m in so much trouble right now. Those shifters will drag me back to Gideon. They’ve kept up with us this long, and they’re gonna be pissed off when they sink their claws into me.”

Barrett huffed. “You think I’d let them do that?”

“Gideon will be even more ruthless after this stunt,” I continued. “He showed up on a reality show and forced me into a real marriage contract. They made me sign it. This isn’t over.”

“No, it’s not.” Barrett motioned out the window.

I gasped. Oh, hell no.

There was a helicopter sitting there with its rotor blades spinning.

“Is that for us?” I squeaked.

“Yeah. Come on.” He offered his hand.

I didn’t move.

“I can carry you, if you prefer.”

I narrowed my eyes at him so he would know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I did not prefer.

“If we don’t go now, those shifters will catch you.” His tone softened. “I won’t be able to protect you from what happens next.”

“I’m afraid of flying.” I could barely even look at the thing. “Especially in something so tiny.”

Those wolves who’d chased us were getting into formation. They’d have me back at the altar in no time.

I couldn’t move. There was no way I could willingly get in that thing. Barrett grabbed me again and ran to the helicopter.

The wolves were so close. We’d barely gotten the doors closed before the pilot lifted the tiny aircraft off the ground. Some of the wolves were still hanging onto the rudders as we rose.

“I’m confused,” Barrett said. “I thought you said you worked for the adventure tour company. Didn’t that involve flying?”

---