Drake was out of the car and around to the passenger side before Elijah was there. His eyes asked a question. Elijah answered with a nod.

“Your woman is fragile, Elijah,” Drake warned softly. “She’s in some pain, and she’s been worried but tried not to show it.” He opened the door.

“I’ll handle her with care.” He didn’t know if he knew how, but he did acknowledge that he should.

Before Drake could reach inside and get Siena, Elijah did. He drew her into his arms. “You’re safe, sweetheart,” he promised. “We’ll get you inside and settled.”

She stiffened, but this time she didn’t protest. She settled her face in his neck and held on as he carried her back up the stairs to the verandah. He’d given Joshua his keys and Joshua was already inside, disarming the alarm system.

He carried her through the house, straight back to the master bedroom. It was very spacious. The bed was large, on a platform with two steps leading up to it. The rest of the room was space. He liked space. He liked to see what was coming at him. The bed was positioned in such a way to hide two escape routes. One route was beneath the platform through a disguised trapdoor leading to a tunnel that wound underground beneath the house to exit just to the west.

In the underground chamber just beneath them was a room filled with weapons, with a go bag, passport and money at the ready. He could leave in an instant and start again with no problem. He had vehicles stashed on the property and a route mapped out for his leopard should he need it.

The second escape route had been cleverly incorporated into the design of the wall at the headboard of the bed itself. One simply stepped from the bed, through the hidden door and into the narrow hallway that led throughout the house. There were other openings in various rooms, and small, tucked-in chambers to hide in should there be need. He had stashed weapons and a second go-bag there as well. Elijah was a man who believed in being prepared.

Very gently, he eased Siena down onto the bed. He stayed bent, his fists on the mattress on either side of her hips, caging her in as he leaned close. “I’m having your things brought here. Jake arranged for a police escort to remove your clothing from your room. My people will get whatever else you want out of the house. Make a list, Siena, before you take a nap.”

She shook her head, her gaze downcast, refusing to meet his. “I’m not staying here. I mean it, Elijah. I know you don’t want to hear me, but I’m not.”