She snorted, rolling her eyes. “One, everything is not going to be fine. Two, you’re over there making all these plans for me, and you didn’t even talk to me about whether I agreed to them. I wanted to go to the beach. I wanted to get away from the stressors of my job and…other things. Now, where are you proposing we go? I understand the need to go but I’d just like to have a say.”
Did she not understand the gravity of the situation? The death magic could be one of many attacks. When my enemies realized it didn’t do the job, they would try again. This was a declaration of war from someone. I just needed to find out who.
I walked back over to the couch and crouched down in front of her. I placed my hands on her thighs. They were warm and soft, and I momentarily got distracted, wanting to raise my hands higher. Feel the heat of her sweet center. Have my fingertips brush her core. Touch her wetness.Focus, you idiot.“I’m sorry for ruining your vacation. I don’t take those lightly. But my primary focus right now is to keep you safe. It’s not safe here, and I can’t compromise or delay things when it comes to protecting you. Someone could be watching us right now. I have people who are going to teleport here any minute. They’re going to pack up my stuff and help you gather your things, and we’re going to one of my safe locations. But you want a beach? I can give you that.”
I squeezed her thighs before standing back up and making another call. She sat silently watching me until I was done. I wondered what she thought of me. It couldn’t be anything good after all this. “Let’s get you packed.” I offered my hand to help her up.
She took it, eyes confused as she stood up. “Just like that?”
“Yeah, just like that.”
“Whoareyou?”
I kissed her hand. “I’m the same as always, Cammy. I’ll use this time together to show you.”
She looked at me wearily, but she would learn. We were meant for each other.
Chapter Four
Harris
Ismiled as I watched Camilla twirl around the spacious living room of the 3-bedroom, 2 ½ bath, beachside cottage. It was simple, with modern but minimalist décor. It was meant to be a vacation home, but I was currently having my people fortify it for increased safety. We’d only just stepped through our transportation portal I’d procured, and the place was a buzz with activity.
She smiled at me, and for a moment, I hoped she could forget about the seriousness of our situation. “This place is amazing, Harry. Do you come here often?”
I shrugged, crossing my arms. “It’s a vacation spot for me. The few times I have let go. Care to guess where we are?”
She ran to the sliding glass doors of the spacious deck. It overlooked the dark crashing waves of the ocean, the sun setting. She slid the door to the side and stepped outside, looking around silently, and I followed her. “I have no clue where we are. Tell me.”
“Miami. Bal Harbor, actually. It’s quieter compared to South Beach, but not far. I’d normally take you somewhere more exotic, but we have to go through customs for that, as it’s illegal to teleport into another country, and I need to keep us off the radar. I hope this will be a good substitute for what you had in mind for yourself. Although I can’t tell you how long we have to be here.”
She turned to me, hands stuffed into the pockets of her shorts as her excited eyes became more serious. “I didn’t mean to sound like a brat earlier. This has all been a very overwhelming day. I’m trying to process. I mean, I can’t even tell my family and friends where I am.”
I wanted to hug her, but I wasn’t sure that was what she needed. We were only just reconnecting, and I could tell she was wary of me. I’d said a lot to her before I left the cottage. I was very close to professing. I had no problems doing so, but this didn’t seem like the right moment. “You can tell your parents that you’re with me, and you’re safe. I’ll give you your phone back soon when my people ensure it's free. You must be hungry. I’ll have someone grab dinner for us. Give me a list of things you want to eat, and I can make sure the fridge, and pantries are appropriately stocked. And anything else you need.”
She patted my chest and then moved back inside. “I’m more interested in what your liquor cabinet is stocked with.”
I followed her. “You can’t just drink. You need food.”
She shrugged. “Will we be able to leave the house?”
“Perhaps, with protection. Not tonight, though.”
She turned back to me briefly and stuck her tongue out before heading over to my open bar area connected to my dining space. “Were you always this bossy?”
She was being cute. I liked that. It felt like an opening for me. “If by bossy you mean careful, strategic, and decisive, yes.” I took out my phone and clicked on my notes app before giving it to her. “List your desires, sweetheart.”
She reached for the phone but paused, looking up at me with questioning eyes before taking the phone. Our fingers grazed, and I felt the mildest buzz of electricity between us. I was going to enjoy being this close to her. She had no idea what she was in for.
“Desires. Sweetheart,” she began as she started typing on my phone. “I like how you’re talking to me.”
I chuckled before going to the bar and taking down two short glasses. I rinsed them out, then poured a bottle of Japanese whiskey into both. “Get used to it.”
She looked up, mouth open to say something, but we were interrupted by Paulo. “Everything’s secured. We have this place double-warded. The glass was already bulletproof, and your safe room is still in order. I have guards posted outside, and they will work on shifts. I’ll send you their names and profiles. If you leave, have someone with you at all times. Always good to have backup. Sam is safe, and Marcus was made aware. I’ll have people maintain eyes on them and Marcus’ fiancée. I already have folks looking into possible threats behind this attack. Our enemies don’t typically hide behind the things they do, but someone on the inside would. So, I won’t rule out that it could be one of our own.”
I nodded slowly as I walked back over to Camilla with her glass. “Don’t make any new enemies getting to the bottom of this. I have some contacts I need to call as well. Keep me updated on the process in regular intervals.”
Paulo gave me a curt nod before looking over to Camilla. Besides my brother, Paulo was the only other soul who knew my feelings for her and that everything I’d been doing the last several years was in an attempt to live a better life, not just for me, but for her, too. He was like my own brother, and I trusted him with my life. He dug into his pocket and offered her phone back, which she eagerly took. “It’s clean. Don’t post anything on social media, including comments and likes. Don’t send any emails.”
