Holiday Hostage (The Forbidden Reverse Harem Collection #24)

Prologue Payton

“I can’t get over the beauty here.” I lifted the camera and snapped another picture.

Everything about Alaska looked like it had been torn from a dream of majestic beauty.

Pictures could never do this place justice, but I had to try, not just for me but for my travel blog readers.

A bright laugh rolled out of Liam’s throat.

He’d met me at the lodge and introduced himself as my guide for the week, and we’d struck up an instant friendship over hot chocolate and donuts.

“Good thing digital cameras exist, huh? Can’t imagine how people survived when they had to deal with film.” He nudged my snowshoe with the edge of his. “How are you holding up, Payton?”

I shrugged and snapped another picture, then turned to grin at Liam. “My legs feel like I’ve been walking in snowshoes for three miles, climbed a small mountain, and can barely breathe from the majestic views. In other words, I’m perfect.”

I dropped the camera, letting it dangle around my neck as I adjusted the pack strapped across my back.

The puffy coat kept it from digging into my shoulders, but the waist strap didn’t do me any favors when I tried to inhale the crisp air.

“Yep. Alaska will do that to you.” A cloud of white erupted from Liam’s mouth when he laughed again. “I’m glad you came along.”

“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss something like this.” I held out both hands toward the snowy mountain range ahead of us.

A trail of winding steps trekked up the mountainside, and a bubbling river traversed a narrow ravine just out of sight of where I stood.

We’d walked along the shore on our way up, our group laughing and calling out to each other so often that we’d probably scared off the wildlife for the rest of the day. “I still haven’t seen a bear.”

“And I hope we don’t.” Liam scowled at me, the good-natured look in his eyes causing them to sparkle even when he tried to be the gruff and serious trail guide.

I’d taken up the challenge of visiting Alaska as a bit of a dare for myself. Why not visit one of the most hostile but beautiful places on earth?

The excitement of the adventure carried me through the first four days, all the way up to agreeing to today’s snowshoe excursion with Liam and nine other visitors.

I rolled my eyes for Liam’s benefit and scribbled notes on a piece of paper. “I’m adding reluctant wildlife to my list.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” Liam narrowed his eyes and put his hands on his hips, puffing out his chest with a mock scowl.

When I first arrived, I’d considered the potential of a short fling with a cute guide.

Liam fit the bill, except from the moment he spoke, I’d felt zero romantic interest. “You know, if I had a brother, I bet he’d be like you.” I poked him in the chest. “Obnoxious.”

“Yeah, well, if I had a sister like you…” He grinned and shook his head. “I’d probably be doing the same thing.”

“Guess it’s a good thing I came here.” I edged closer to the drop-off, sending bits of snow tumbling down the mountain.

Liam grabbed my arm. “Stop that.”

“What? I’m just looking,” I huffed, but moved to a safer spot closer to the trees and the rest of the group.

We’d stopped beneath a cluster of trees for a break, and many of my group were sitting around enjoying their water and food during the lunch break that Liam insisted was necessary.

I’d wanted to see more of the landscape, especially the river. And I had a thing about eating in front of other people.

My own lunch remained in my backpack. I’d barely looked at it when the lodge cook handed out the plastic containers.

One thing I loved about this trip was that I’d booked the all-inclusive package that included having meals prepared for me. Better to let someone knowledgeable take care of nutrition than to allow me to muddle through.

Heck, maybe I’d lose a little weight with all the climbing and walking.

I liked my curves well enough, though they posed the occasional challenge…like when trying to hike a mountain with a pack while wearing snowshoes.

A flurry of snowflakes whirled around us, tangling in Liam’s hair and reminding me why I’d walked away from the group.

“You can look all you want.” Liam used his snowshoe to draw a line in the snow. “As long as you don’t cross this line.”

I raised my foot and patted the snow on the other side of his line, challenging him with a grin that caused my frozen cheeks to ache.

I’d never felt cold like this, the kind that settled in my bones and made them creak like I was eighty instead of twenty-five.

Liam made a noise somewhere between laughter and exasperation. “I should’ve known better than to say anything. You’re determined to push every boundary.”

“Only the ones I don’t like.” I shoved a strand of blonde hair that had fallen from my hood behind my ear and tugged the fur-lined hood over my forehead. “How long are you staying here?”

He checked his watch. “Another thirty minutes or so.”

“I’m going to take a walk along the river.” I pointed at the thread of darkness between two trees.

Liam had shown it to us earlier with a comment about following the trails if we ever got lost.

They were supposed to lead us to water, which should lead us to people.

The sheer magnitude of the wilderness below me told the truth. A person could get lost out here and never be seen again.

Liam started to argue but relented when I gave him a pleading look.

“I’ll stay within shouting distance. I promise. Just a quick trip to the river, take a few pictures, then I’ll be right back.” I stuck my thumbs through my backpack straps. “Okay?”

“Swear you won’t go too far.” He ran a hand through his hair. “You know how much shit I’ll catch if anything happens to you?”

“Trust me, I know.” I’d never intentionally get anyone in trouble.

As the only child of the rich and famous Frank Rivers, I’d suffered my fair share of issues.

Dad loved me, and he let me live my life, exploring the world for the blog that paid my bills. I

never had to rely on Dad’s money, even if he’d be more than happy to pay for anything I wanted or dreamed of. “I’ll be fine. If I see anything, I’ll come running back.”

“Make sure to eat.” Liam walked backward toward the group. “You’ll need the calories for the next part of the climb.”

I snapped a salute, mimicking what I’d seen on TV, and pursed my lips into a tight pucker. “Yes, sir.”

“Be careful.” Liam took a step toward me. “I should come with you.”

“Don’t you dare.” I held up a hand to stop him. “I’ll be fine. Really. I could use a few minutes to myself.”

He wavered a few more seconds before finally moving away, calling over his shoulder, “You have ten minutes. One second past that, and I’m coming after you. I don’t care how much personal time you need.”

“Ten minutes. Got it.” I checked my watch. Quarter till noon.

A bright bubble of excitement tickled my belly, and I grinned as I took the path between the trees.

The sound of rushing water grew louder as I approached, and I discovered the river was more than the trickling stream I’d spotted from overhead.

Thick tree limbs blocked my view when I reached the edge of the woods.

I grasped them with both hands and pulled downward, revealing the immense power of water roaring over rocks and tumbling toward a series of short rapids.

My mouth dropped open as awe locked me in place.

Liam had said there wouldn’t be any bears this time of year.

A week before Christmas was no time for hibernating beasts to be lumbering around, but there was other wildlife.

I let go of the branches and shrugged out of my backpack, setting it against the trunk of the nearest tree and stepping out with my camera up to my eye.

Places this beautiful deserved to be seen.

The untainted wilderness showed a wild side unlike anything I’d experienced.

This was the challenge I’d longed for.

I framed up the first shot, putting a large pine tree on the right side of the picture and letting the river take up the rest.

Movement across the river caught in the camera, and I held my breath as a moose lumbered into view.

The giant body looked miniature from this distance, but I’d seen pictures of people standing beside the massive animals.

What could I use for reference to show my perspective of the magnificent beast?

I took a step to the right, moving closer to the water. A quick look down kept me from stepping into the river.

Liam would have more than a warning for me if I came back with wet shoes and socks.

The moose raised its head and stared at me, its gaze alive with curiosity and zero fear.

I snapped the picture, then another for good measure.

The giant head lifted, and its mouth opened. The roaring river drowned out whatever sound it made, then it whirled and broke into a lumbering run.

My breath came out with a shuddering exhale, and I released the camera, letting the strap around my neck take the weight.

I checked my watch. My ten minutes were almost up.

As much as I hated the thought of leaving, I had no choice.

Something heavy clamped over my mouth.

I let out a scream as recognition dawned.

A hand.

Someone had their hand over my mouth. I stabbed an elbow backward, and my assailant grunted.

Hot breath rushed over my ear, and my hair spilled out of my hood as the person yanked me backward. “Don’t do that again.”

The threat in those words, said in a deep voice, sent me into a panic.

I flailed with my hands, arms, and feet. They all became weapons.

I’d taken a few self-defense classes over the years–Dad insisted–but none of them prepared me for the man lifting me completely off my feet with one arm so tight around my chest that I lost the ability to breathe.

The hand over my mouth shifted to cover my nose. I opened my mouth and bit down hard into the flesh of his palm.

“Fucking bitch.” He growled into my ear but didn’t let go. “Been tracking you for a while, waiting for you to venture off on your own. Couldn’t have picked a better spot.” He laughed when I thrashed, kicking both heels behind me in hopes of making contact with his knee.

My hands balled into fists, and I struck at his ribs, even trying to reach lower to grasp his balls.

That was one sure way to get him to let me go. My instructors had always been clear on that.

If a man came at me, don’t be cute or dainty. Go for the tender bits, and do it with enough force that they think twice about making another move.

My heel caught his thigh, and my closed fist landed hard against thick, padded material. Shit. Body armor?

I screamed the best I could around his hand, but it was no use.

The river drowned out any kind of sound, and Liam wouldn’t come looking for me for a few more minutes.

I was on my own.

“Got you now.” He squeezed my throat so tightly that black spots danced in my vision. “Better pray your daddy is ready to come out of hiding and pay up to get you back.”

That’s what they wanted? Money?

I increased my thrashing, trying to talk despite the hand suffocating me.

Dad would pay them.

I just had to survive whatever they had planned for me in the meantime.