As planned, I make for the service station where another car will be waiting and say loudly, “You have nothing to fear. Just try to relax; we’ll be out of danger soon.”
I’m impressed that she does as I say and as the car eats up the distance, I relax for the first time today.
It takes a further twenty minutes to reach the service station and as we pull into the space, I tear off my uniform revealing a black top and jeans and as I chuck the keys to the cab into the nearby trash can, I turn and smile.
“I’m pleased to meet you, Rose.”
She blushes under my direct gaze, and I’m pleasantly surprised because Rose Zaferelli has blossomed into her name.
A beautiful woman stares back at me, her face completely devoid of makeup, her blonde hair scraped back into a ponytail. Her eyes are huge and of the deepest blue, and her lashes dust porcelain cheeks that are stained with blush.
Her outfit is plain, as I would expect, and her nails are scrubbed and cut short as she clutches her purse to her chest. However, it’s the full rosy red lips and the way she gazes from under her lashes that steals my interest.
Perhaps this task won’t be so bad after all.
It’s not often a man catches the first glimpse of his wife under these circumstances, and the fact she doesn’t even realize who I am is strangely thrilling. Yes, despite the fact I hated every minute of this plan, my mind changed the moment I cast my eyes on a woman I never expected.
She is stunning. More than stunning. An ethereal beauty, virginal, innocent and completely unaware of the mess she is in. Every fucking criminal in the world who knows of her heritage is searching for this woman and her sisters, and fortune has granted the Ravera mafia the keys to her cage.
I jerk my head toward the black car waiting patiently beside us.
“We must move. We are not out of danger yet.”
“Danger?”
Her eyes widen, and I nod. “I’ll explain when we have more time.”
The door opens, and she jumps as one of my guards stands protectively, searching the area for danger.
“Come, we must move unless you want a repeat performance of what happened to your last driver.”
I wonder if she will resist but a brief nod to her head is my answer as she exits the car at the same time as me and as I reach for her arm, I propel her into the bullet proof range rover that has blacked-out windows and every safety feature going. Only when the door closes and locks, do I breathe again, reassured that, for now, we are safe.
She sits shivering as far away from me as she can get, and as she snaps the belt in place, she appears so fragile my heart shifts inside me. I’m curious about that and stare a little harder, causing her to blush adorably and lower her eyes as she laces her fingers together on her lap.
If anything, I am impressed at her cool demeanor, and as we begin our journey to the helicopter waiting to transfer us to Zurich International Airport, I say softly, “I’m sorry for the theatrics. My name is Julius Ravera, and my father was responsible for the work permit and accommodation for the coming year.”
Her eyes widen, and I experience an overwhelming desire to protect her. She appears so fragile—as if she could break—but has the beauty and strength of the diamonds her father made his billions from.
“What am I expected to do?”
I wonder if the truth is an option right now but decide to gloss over the real reason she is here and say dismissively, “You will be working for me.”
I turn away before she can question what that involves, and as the car speeds toward our destination, my mind switches to the next part of my plan.
Escaping Switzerland for the safety of our Washington estate.
4
ROSE
My head is scrambled. I just witnessed a murder. A man’s life ended today, and I’m still in shock about that.
Throughout the journey, I prayed for his soul, pleading with God to deliver me safely and keep me from harm because I’m guessing this isn’t the future Sister Agatha intended for me.
Then there’s him. The man who stole me away under the guise of protecting me.
I picture the black jet and what could have been waiting inside and wonder if he’s lying to me. Am I in danger from him? I already know the answer to that question because as soon as I stared into his dark, devilish eyes, my soul unraveled.
