ELISE
Our plane is about to land in the La Môle-Saint-Tropez Airport. From there I’ll be driven to my new house in Monaco.
It’s been two weeks since I gave Theo the copy of Simon’s key. He called me that night to tell me that it fit into one of the nine locks on the vault.
He also told me that Kurt Ozzi will likely find out about the copy in Theo’s possession, and he may lash out in anger. It wouldn’t be beneath him to hurt me to punish Theo. Which is why I was assigned four additional bodyguards. Moreover, Theo insisted that I leave Chambéry and lay low for a while.
“In two weeks,” he’d informed me, “you’ll have a new identity, a Monegasque passport, a house in Monaco, and a comfortable monthly allowance.”
When I objected because I had a life in Savoie, he told me drily that if I stayed, I might not have life anymore,literally.
In the end, I agreed to lay low in Monaco, provided it was temporary and not in some gilded cage. He told me I’d be free to travel anywhere, and to return to Chambéry at any time, if I so wish. His agents would periodically reevaluate the level of threat and keep me current. He’d pay my rent in Chambéry, so I don’t lose the apartment. Ultimately, the decision on when to go back, if ever, would be mine and mine alone.
So, I said yes. Then I didn’t hear from Theo for two never-ending weeks. It was like being a teenager again, losing sleep, daydreaming, and waiting for a call or a text or an email from the object of your affection. I kept telling myself he must’ve lied about not being involved with anyone. That was it. He’d gone back to a girlfriend or fiancée.
It hurt like hell.
When he finally did call, it was to tell me all the arrangements had been made, and that I was moving to Monaco in three days. He also informed me that the search for Darrel’s and Jordan’s remains had been discontinued until the snow melts. That news made me sad. But I cheered up, recalling that Theo was coming to Chambéry to fly me to Monaco. What I didn’t know was that he would make sure not to spend a moment alone with me.
Our jet touches down.
Abdel and Roberto exit the cockpit. They pick up my two suitcases and step off the plane to stretch their legs. Theo doesn’t get up to disembark.
“Thank you, again,” he says, “for everything! Your contribution to finding the key was critical, more so than mine.”
“You flatter me.”
“No.” His tone is grave. “It’s the truth, Elise.”
“Well, it’s nice to know everything worked out.”
“Nice?” He guffaws.
I stand up and ask in a light tone, “Aren’t you going to show me my new house?”
“Abdel will do that,” he says, rising to his feet. “He’ll also introduce you to your local go-to person who will assist you with anything you need.”
“Cool,” I say.
“Goodbye, Elise.” His blue gaze shifts between my eyes and lips. “I’ll never forget our time together.”
Is this really the end?OnceI’m off this plane, will I never hear his voice again? Will I never see him again, touch him again? No more speculating, debating, and looking for clues together? No more serenading and laughing? No more exaltation from his improbable, intoxicating mixture of control and fervor in bed, a mixture that made me feel as if I were the center of his world?
“I love you,” I blurt out.
What?
I was going to say goodbye. By what sorcery did those innocent words come out as I love you? How did that secret knowledge slip out? It wasn’t even knowledge per se but more a suspicion that I’d worked hard to hide even from myself.
“It’s a fantasy,” he says with a soft smile. “An unhealthy fascination that will soon pass. It isn’t real. It can’t be real.”
Finally, my pride kicks in. “You’re right. I don’t know what came over me.”
We watch each other. His chest is heaving, and his gaze never leaves my lips. How antithetical for a man who doesn’t kiss on the mouth!
Oh, and what we have here?Something even more antithetical to his statements is underway below his belt.
My body responds to that sight with a longing that I can’t and won’t deny.
