“Yes, soon actually,” Valerie said, trying to think up a quick excuse. “Madame Allegria just called to say she’ll be out to dinner with a friend all night. I think it would give us enough time. She won’t expect it. It’s the perfect opportunity.”
Celine was still confused. And Valerie hated that she was lying to her, that her son was lying in the next roombleedingall over the place and unconscious…then again, Valerie could still feel the pounding headache from his punch reverberating down her spine. So, she didn’t feeltooguilty.
And as for Dravka?
Valerie would do anything.
“If you’re certain,” Celine finally said and Valerie almost sighed in relief, even as her ears remained perked for any signs of Gabriel. “I’ll give him a call now. He can meet you within thirty minutes, if need be.”
“Thank you,” Valerie said quietly, inclining her head. “That would be great.”
Celine’s lips pressed together. She inclined her head too and then disconnected.
Valerie released a shaky breath, reaching up a trembling hand to run through her hair just as Dravka raced back down the stairs, a small bag in hand.
Tavak and Ravu emerged from the back office, closing it tightly, the med kit still dangling from Tavak’s grip.
“He’s sedated,” Tavak said. “I gave him two doses. It should keep him under until the morning.”
“Good,” Valerie said, although she knew it would just need to keep him under until she returned from the Port and could figure out the next step inherplan. “Pack anything that you need and quickly. Celine is calling the pilot of the vessel and he can meet us shortly.”
Ravu blew out a breath.
“Are we really doing this?” he asked quietly. “Tonight?”
There was a strained expression on his features, one that Valerie hadn’t expected. But maybe one that she could understand. All of them had been here well before she’d arrived on Everton. For over 10 years, these walls had housed them. They had a routine. They knew what to expect, day in and day out.
And now?
They were hurtling towards the unknown quicker than they’d anticipated…but ultimately, they were going towards the possibility of a better, more fulfilling life. Filled with decisions they could make on their own, not decisions forced on them by others.
Maybe it was a scary thought. Maybe that was why Ravu suddenly looked so unsure.
“Pax,” Tavak murmured, clasping his brother on his shoulder. “We’re doing this tonight. Let’s go.”
Then they went up the stairs, taking three at a time. They wouldn’t be long. They hardly had any possessions to pack and that thought alone made Valerie sad.
“What do you need to bring?” Dravka asked. “Want me to—”
“Dravka,” Valerie whispered.
“Don’t,” he growled, suddenly rounding on her with furious eyes. Though with Dravka, she didn’t feel the fear she’d felt with Gabriel. “Don’t argue with me. I’ve already told you.”
“Told me what?”
“If you don’t get on that vessel with me tonight,” he said, stepping up to her until there was hardly any space between them, “then I’m not going either.”
“You have to,” she whispered, trying to give him a small smile.
“And I will,” he said, cupping the back of her neck. He was wearing a thin, soft shirt that molded to his chest and he’d cleaned up his hands and the blood spatter across his cheek. When she touched his chest, it was warm and hard, his heat blooming across her palm. “I will because you’ll be right beside me.”
Then he kissed her and she gasped into him, suddenly desperate to get closer. Valerie’s hands clutched at his shoulders, gripping him tight, afraid he would pull away. His tongue swept between her lips and she couldn’t get enough of his taste, of his smell.
Valerie made a little whimpering sound in the back of her throat and she felt his hearts beating, strong and quick, against her breasts.
When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against hers and murmured, “Tonight, we’ll leave Everton behind. Together. And then I can finally give you the life you deserve. I’ll make you happy,mellkia. I promise you.”
Valerie let out a shuddering sigh against him.
