Page 85 of Knot Your Romeo

Hurry,she whispers, and the connection fades as she focuses back on her physical surroundings.

I immediately speed-dial Beck, pacing again as I wait for him to answer.

“What do you have?” he asks without preamble.

“Lawrence Municipal Airport in New Hampshire. They’re stopping there to take a plane, then they're continuing to Aspen, Colorado. Blake has a house there with private landing clearance.”

“Not Montana…Aspen. Are you sure?” I can hear him already moving, probably heading for his own transportation. “How is she holding up?”

“Scared, but unharmed so far. The soul bond is...intense. I can feel everything she’s feeling.” I swallow hard against the renewed wave of her terror washing through me. “Beck, we have to get there before he...”

“We will,” he says grimly. “I’m coordinating with my contact now. We’ll have people waiting at both locations. Because one is obviously a lie.”

“I’m coming with you.”

“Jude—“

“She’s my soul match,” I repeat fiercely. “My soul match, Beck. I’m not sitting here helplessly while she’s in danger.”

He pauses for a moment. “Understood. But if you’re coming, you follow orders. This isn’t going to be a gentle rescue operation.” The implications in his voice are clear—people aregoing to get hurt tonight. Probably killed. And I’ll be directly involved in whatever violence follows.

For Emmie, I’ll carry that weight.

“I understand,” I say. “Just get me to her.”

“Twenty minutes. Be ready.”

After ending the call, I settle back on the bed, clutching her T-shirt and reaching out through the bond again. This time the connection forms more easily, that golden thread between us growing stronger with practice.

Emmie? Are you there?

I’m here.Her mental voice is steadier now, drawing strength from our connection.We’re landing at the airport I mentioned. There are men waiting—more of Blake’s people.

How many?

Three, maybe four. All armed.Fear spikes through the bond again.Jude, Blake is talking about moving me to some kind of facility. Somewhere secure where I can’t escape.The casual way she relays this information makes my blood run cold. Blake isn’t just planning to use her—he’s planning to imprison her permanently.

That won'thappen,I tell her with fierce certainty.Help is already on the way to all locations. Beck has resources Blake doesn’t know about.

What kind of resources?

I hesitate, not wanting to frighten her further.The kind that gets results.Just focus on staying safe and keeping this connection open. Can you do that?

I think so. It’s getting easier.There’s wonder in her mental voice.I never believed soul bonds were real. But that was why I studied it. I wanted to know. And now this...feeling you in my mind, knowing you’re fighting for me. It’s keeping me sane.

Good.hold on tothat. Holdon tous.I pour every ounce of love I can manage through the connection.Whatever happens,remember that you are loved. Completely, unconditionally loved.

I love you too. More than I knew was possible.Her mental voice grows faint as physical demands pull her attention away.They’re moving me to another aircraft. I have to go.

Stay strong, love. We’re coming.

The connection fades, leaving me alone with her steely determination mixing with her fear. But something has changed in the quality of her emotions—beneath the terror, there’s a core of steel I hadn’t felt before. She’s not just surviving anymore. She’s preparing to fight.

My phone buzzes with a text from Beck.Car outside. Time to go.

I grab a jacket and head for the door, still clutching her T-shirt like a talisman.

Whatever’s waiting for us in Aspen, whatever violence and chaos Beck’s “resources” might unleash, I’m ready for it.

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