I sit down amongst the beautiful flowers and watch the numerous swallowtails and monarchs flutter around me. This is my favorite place to go to read and just be by myself. It's on the edge of the property, away from prying eyes, although I don't doubt that there are cameras in place somewhere around me.
I decide I don't care, however. In the past few weeks, I've become accustomed to this island and to everyone who inhabits it…especially Lucien.
Call me crazy, but there have been some serious moments of chemistry between us. I just can't make heads or tails of the whole thing, however.
One moment I want him. The next I want nothing to do with him.
I play thewhat ifgame a million times in my head every day.
What if Gio found me? Would I go back with him?
What if I stay here on the island? What would happen between Lucien and me? Could we truly ever be happy?
I have a million questions with no answers in sight. And I suppose only time will tell what will really happen to me…to Luc…to us, if there even is anus.
Sometimes it feels like he doesn't want to even be in the same room as me, and other times I feel his obsession and need for me like a magnetic pull drawing me in.
Lucien is an enigma, and that's putting it extremely lightly. I don't even think his own cousin understands him. When Lucien goes off the deep end, Jax will just shrug and say, "Leave him alone until he works out whatever the hell he needs worked out."
Luc has a past that I've only caught a glimpse of hidden in his deep dark gaze. I'd love to uncover it, bury myself inside his brain until I could learn every little secret he keeps so tightly guarded.
Jax told me before that Luc had a terrible childhood, but that it was his story to tell.
What if Lucien never tells me? What if we go through our lives on this island and I never get to know the real Lucien?
Sighing, I tuck my hair behind my ear and bend down to breathe in the scent of the tropical flower in full bloom. Maria told me it's some type of lily, but I can't remember the name of it. All I know is that it's beautiful and smells like heaven.
Maybe I'll ask Lucien to order me some books about flowers and how to identify them. He already bought me one about birds, and I devoured it, wanting to know every kind of fowl feathered friend I've been religiously feeding for weeks.
I didn't think many birds would be on an island, but they must have migrated here at some point. And some are so beautiful and bright that they take my breath away.
Plucking the lily from the ground, I shove the stem behind my ear to hold it in place. I do this often, wanting the scent of the beautiful flowers around me constantly.
Then I stand up, dusting the grass and dirt from my denim capris. It's almost lunchtime, according to the watch that Lucien gave me. And as if right on cue, my stomach growls loudly.
Maria makes the most spectacular meals, and I've been hitting up Luc's private gym even harder to make up for all the extra calories. I work out a few times a week, sometimes even alongside Luc.
I grin when I think of his nickname that I've been calling him. Luc fits him. And more often than not lately, he's been easier to deal with, more casual and…happier than I've ever seen him.
I'd like to think I play a part in that, but who knows. It's not likehewould ever tell me.
On my way back to the mansion, I cut through the small orchard with the hopes of snagging some fruit on the way when I'm stopped by the gardener, who I've become familiar with. He's short with bronzed skin, dark eyes and a thick accent. He's always friendly, but there's something about him that rubs me the wrong way. I can't put my finger on it, but sometimes I catch him staring at me with an expression that I can't quite decipher, and it gives me the creeps.
"Hi, Rafael," I call to him, giving him a wave.
Rafael's eyes dart around before he puts his finger to his lips to shush me. My mouth instantly snaps shut. As he steps closer to me, his dark eyes study me closely. "You want go home?" he asks in broken English.
My gaze snaps to his, searching his face for any ulterior motives. He can get me off of this island? Thewhat ifgame has suddenly become a very real possibility. Maybe if I could get back home and tell my father what happened, he could protect me. Then there would be no reason for Luc to take on that responsibility of keeping me safe.
"Y-yes," I stammer. "I do. Please. Can you help me leave?"
He nods and motions for me to follow him. My eyes dart back to the mansion, and I suddenly get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. In my excitement to leave and get back to my old life, I didn't take the time to consider everything I'd be leaving behind…andwhoI'd be leaving behind.
But I refuse to be held prisoner for the rest of my life with an uncertain future. Lucien holds all the power here. Maybe once I'm back home he could visit me, and we could go from there….if he even still wants me by then.
I tear my eyes away from the mansion and reluctantly follow the man. Even though he gives me the creeps, maybe he's a nice guy on the inside. If he's willing to help me, he must have a good heart. No one else has been willing to go against theirmaster.
The man begins to jog, motioning with his hand for me to hurry up. I begin to run behind him, my short legs trying to match his long strides.
