The gardener pales in comparison to this man. Tall, dark and handsome for sure, but there is a masculinity, a presence if you like, that commands attention.
When he stripped off the uniform, I saw a body tightly contained inside a black silk shirt, slightly open, revealing a tanned chest with a crucifix nestling against the darkhairs. A man of God—most definitely not, and if I were to hazard a guess, I would imagine he was firmly on the other side.
But those eyes. They mesmerize me, and his strong jaw and heavy gaze will revisit me for sure in my dreams tonight.
Julius Ravera. A strong name for a strong man, and despite what happened back there, I am reassured by his presence.
I say nothing, preferring silent anonymity while I figure out what just happened and could happen when we reach our destination.
Work for him. In what capacity? An assistant, a housekeeper, or…
I swallow hard as my heart races, and I avert my gaze to peer out of the window at the passing scenery.
So many thoughts rattle through my mind as I consider my position. This morning, life was very simple, and yet here I am now. Surrounded by drama and unsure of the outcome.
The car stops, and I stare in horror at the helicopter waiting for us.
“I thought we were going to Washington?”
Julius nods. “We are but first we must get to Zurich airport and this is the fastest way.”
He reaches for my hand to pull me from the car, and every nerve ending I possess stands to attention as our skin connects.
I almost can’t breathe as a man holds my hand for the very first time because growing up there wasn’t any freedom to explore that possibility.
“Come, I’ll help you into the helicopter.”
I attempt to focus as he opens the door and as I climbinside I notice one of the men who traveled with us retrieve my suitcase from the trunk of the car.
It appears so small and shabby in comparison to the world I have fallen into, and I’m guessing I must look the same because it’s obvious I don’t fit in here.
Julius sits beside me and pulls on his ear defenders, and before long the helicopter shudders and then moves away from the ground.
It’s not my first time in a helicopter either, and it reminds me of life before the convent and boarding school. I close my eyes, remembering the mansion we lived in and the gold-lined rooms and valuable paintings that hung on the walls. It was another world, a decadent, cruel world, and one we were happy to leave behind.
Now I enjoy nature’s brilliance rather than man’s, and material possessions are no longer coveted. It’s the simple things I enjoy now, and yet here I am, far from the simple life and ready to play a game I haven’t been given the rule book for.
The journey is madein silence, and as we land, I notice another jet nearby where dark-suited men are surrounding it, gazing around them as if expecting a war to break out.
Once again, Julius takes my hand, and a warm feeling spreads through me, causing me to wonder why I like this so much?
“Come, we don’t have long as we have a slot to catch.”
I’m ushered up the steps into the jet and as my eyes adjust, I am greeted by an attractive flight attendant who guides me to a plush seat nearby.
“Welcome to Viper Air. May I help you with your coat?”
Her smile is kind, but her gaze dismissive, and I shake my head. “No thank you.”
She shrugs and says pleasantly, “May I fetch you a preflight drink?”
“Um, water please.”
She smiles once again, and as she moves away, I shrink back into my seat and wish I was back in the stark room at the convent where life was easy and simple.
They murdered a man in front of you, and you apparently don’t care.
My inner voice is working hard today as it plays on repeat in my mind.
