“Where are we?”
“Milan.”
“Why?”
“Because that is where my jet will arrive.”
“Not Zurich?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
He huffs, “Because it’s dangerous. I had word that we were being followed, and Jack discovered intelligence telling us the local police chief saw a way to grab early retirement. The cops were on their way, but they weren’t the good kind. The chief of police is a known accomplice of Felipe Salva, a local criminal who decided to throw his hat into the ring. You were to be taken into police custody where he would bail you out and before you knew it you were to be married and locked away until you were with child.”
“Will this never end?”
I am so frustrated and gasp, “How many criminals are there who know about it? I must say, I admire their intelligence network. It’s pretty amazing.”
I pause and then add, “Where did the helicopter come from?”
“The sky.”
His arrogant smirk causes me to roll my eyes. “Obviously, but why was it there?”
“Because I planned for every eventuality, Alice. Do you really consider I would walk into a place knowing that every criminal worth his title would guess that is where you would head for? I planned our escape route accordingly and once again you owe me your gratitude, not sarcasm.”
I fall silent because I’m fast learning that I know nothing about this world.
How can I possibly survive out here on my own? It’s obviously better the devil you know than the one intent on harming you, and I really believe that Simeon has my best interests at heart. He is merely carrying out his father’s wishes,and yet he is also part of the problem. The demon in my nightmare with a wicked smile and a weapon I can’t fight against. Desire.
“What happens now?”
I ask the billion-dollar question because I am so tired. Tired of running, tired physically and mentally, and I could sleep for a week.
“We grab some rest. There’s a house not far from the airfield we have rented under a different name. Its security is tight and stands on its own in the middle of nowhere. We have taken steps to secure the perimeter and will be perfectly safe there. Then, when the jet arrives, we head for home.”
“Home. Where is home exactly, Simeon, because I really don’t believe I have one?”
For a second his expression softens, and I’m surprised when he reaches out and strokes my face. Almost as if he cares, and says softly, “Home is where you are, angel. It’s where your heart rests and you are safe. “
I stare into his eyes, drowning in conflicting emotions. On the one hand, I hate him and everything he stands for, and on the other, I desire him so much it’s a physical ache inside me. I shouldn’t. It’s an impossible desire, but right now, in this moment, he is my world.
“I am not the enemy, angel.”
“Aren’t you?”
I shake my head. “I think you are Simeon; you just dress it up differently.”
“Perhaps you’re right, although somewhere along the way the lines blurred. I want to keep you safe, angel, and not because of any instruction from my father.”
“So, you love me now.”
I attempt to make light of the situation, and for once he doesn’t play along. There’s a serious expression in his eyes ashe holds my gaze and I’m shocked when he whispers, “I don’t know what love is, but I do know that I would burn the entire continent down with no hesitation just to keep you safe.”
My breath hitches, and I gaze at him in shock. How can one sentence be so powerful?
It changes everything, and the intensity of his gaze does things to me inside I never realized could be an actual thing.
