The Kidnapped Bride

Jennifer hugged Javier as if it was the last day of her life, the last breath she was taking in this lifetime. Tears continuously poured out for her eyes, as there was no end to the feelings she felt. The sentiments were all mixed: Anxiousness, happiness, adventure, and what not! 

"Sh..Nothing happened to me." Javier brought his hand behind her, to caress her back slightly and provide her the warmth she was craving for. It wasn't easy to escape the danger yet he successfully did. 

"I..Know..I..I thought y...You will not make it.." she somehow uttered those words in her dismay, with stumbles which made Javier smile but at the same time, he knew that how badly Jennifer might have been traumatized. 

Both of them were wet due to the swimming, and Ryan just put the towel on both of their shoulders, to make them remember that they both weren't alone in this cockpit! 

Ellen didn't even dare to disturb them via his words. When Javier put his step back in the helicopter, he flew in the direction they were supposed to go, letting his ladder go in the water. 

"Cough...Sir, we are happy that you made it up to here." Ryan interrupted their intense and emotional meeting with his words which made Jennifer pull back immediately from Javier's embrace in shyness. Her cheeks burnt red because of the shame she felt right now out of acting so passionately in front of them. 

Javier smiled at how coquettishly Jennifer became when Ryan interrupted them but he didn't take the topic ahead, "Did you guys had any doubt on my capability to swim or fight? Don't you know that I already have participated in swimming competitions since childhood?"

"We do know sir that you are an all-rounder but Ms. Taylor was quite worried about your well-being. She constantly yelled at us to take the helicopter back at the island because she can't leave you alone there." 

Hearing this, Javier's smile widened and it turned into a smirk. He turned his body and face to look at Jennifer who had lowered her head and lifted her chin with his hand, "Seriously?"

All he received was a small shook from her side and not anymore.

She was already feeling embarrassed by how they all teased her. For God's sake, what wrong did she do to gain this!? All she did was care for him yet they are being a tease to her!

When Javier noted how her ears were still red as a tomato and she was burning in the pit of awkwardness, did he realize the situation better and sign his men to shut their mouth and not to tease her anymore. As instructed, Ryan and Ellen, both sat in front and both Javier and Jennifer sat in the back. 

Jennifer was still lying in his embrace, despite him being half-naked. He was shirtless and his abs were quite a view to witness but she made sure to not let him know. But to her dismay, her lingering gaze already caught his eyes. "Jennifer, don't tell me that you don't like them." 

"What rubbish are you spouting out? I have ethics, don't put wrong blame on my head!" she defensively denied and made some space between them, to show that nothing was how he was predicting things to be.

As they both used their respective towels to dry themselves a little bit, Jennifer regained her mind to know that they weren't on the island anymore. 

The place from where she wished to escape is already left behind. So what? Now, where are they taking her? After all, how can she lose her mind that she is just a hostage for them and Javier is her kidnapper? Moreover, does Lucas knows about their location now?!

Especially, who were the people who just attacked me? Were they Lucas's people as Javier claimed them to be like earlier or were they someone else who also wishes to have their lives? The prime suspect was still Lucas in her eyes yet she wasn't entirely sure.

She turned her face at Javier, with her narrowed eyes, "Do you seriously think that everything...those killers were sent by Lucas himself to have me?" she asked with the utmost care, almost sounding usual as before.

"I don't know yet. But somewhere, I agree with what you might be thinking at this point. From my perspective, no one else must have the urge to kill me except Lucas but... his people aren't so weak in my eyes. I mean, yes they have poor technology, less mind to use because of the ranger but, they still have the best fighters."

Jenifer can't agree with it anymore. She knew whatever his analyzing skills for the situation is the best way to look forward, "I also feel that..Lucas can't be the one. If he knew about my location from the call, I'm pretty much sure that he would have already attacked our way before, and especially, he must have come along with his army, not to send his killers himself."

Javier nodded his head but it seems that he isn't interested to get this topic being discussed anymore. 'Maybe he is not willing to think much until he has some solid proof to know about the attack.'

Although, it was kinda true that they have many enemies, and it was very much possible that one of their enemies would be behind this attack as expected.

As Jennifer looked outside from the small window, she saw they were over the mountains. Difficult to guess in which direction they were heading out.

"Javier, where are we proceeding now? Your island...is already damaged.." She was uncertain about the next step to take. She knew that the island was a gift to him and now, it is destroyed by some killers. How he must be feeling? 

Javier kept mum for a few minutes, but he knew that keeping quiet won't work anymore. His eyebrows twisted when he recalled his next step, which was to land themselves in a much safer place.

"The safest place for you and me." was a short reply that she got on his behalf, but it wasn't much to keep her going for the rest of the journey, "Which place are you pointing out?"

"My state, where my family lives. The Johnson family's powerful and holding state."