“I don’t know.”
“It was a lot to deal with.”
“I still don’t fully understand why she is there. Surely, she could hide out somewhere better than that.”
“She obviously has her reasons. I thought the same at first. Why put yourself through imprisonment when you don’t have to? Pretend to be crazy and hide behind a locked door. Then I remembered who we are dealing with. She saw her predecessor murdered and was aware of the promise to do the same to her. Enrico was hardly a caring husband, and her wealth tripped her up throughout her life. Sure, she could have hidden away in themountains, a different country perhaps, but by locking herself away in an institution, she was hiding in plain sight.”
“She could have gone back to the convent. I would.”
“Where she would be more of a threat? Think about it. Everyone thought she was the living dead. Drowning in alcohol and incoherent most of the time. Her father has given up on her, her husband carried on and her daughter had no idea if she was alive or dead. Her inheritance had moved to her daughter, so she has nothing of value to give. She was not worth the paperwork, or the attention her death would shine on the Sorcusis. Behind the scenes, however, she played a huge part in their downfall. I must say, her ties with Malik Karim are impressive. She is of benefit to him.”
“So, our mission is clear. Kill Morgan and free us all from the threat. Right the wrongs of the past by becoming the master, not the apprentice.”
I hate how hollow my words sound.
“I’m not a murderer, Joseph. Despite everything, I don’t have that right. I’m not like Eliza, not like you, and definitely not like Morgan. If I kill her, I am no better than her and don’t deserve to live a free life. How can this work? Because I already know I’m not up to the job.”
“But I am.”
He states, with a dark edge to his voice. “I have killed so many people, one more won’t add to my suffering.”
His words remind me of what he is and has been for some time and I should be terrified of that—of him. Somehow, I’m not.
“What happens now?”
The car feels safe as we speed down the highway. Taking the short trip to the airfield before we head home.
“We pack for Milan, but first we do something we’ve never done before.”
“What?”
He smiles and, slipping his arm around my shoulders, he pulls me to his side.
“We go on a date.”
“That’s the last thing I thought you’d say.”
For some reason, it causes me to relax, and I love how easy it is with him when it shouldn’t be.
“Where are we going?”
“For a meal, dancing, and then a walk along the embankment. London is particularly beautiful when the shadows disguise the imperfections.”
My breath catches as he turns my face to his, casually, with ownership, and kisses me softly. There is no sexual intent in this kiss, mere longing, affection even, and I wonder if Joseph’s demons are slipping away a little now he has opened the crack to their prison.
* * *
He is waitingin the library. I dressed in a turquoise pantsuit with discreet jewelry this time. Flat shoes and a matching purse, a cream faux fur coat wrapped around me against the chill of winter outside.
It’s a cold crisp night and the stars are out and as I meet him in the library, his dark intense gaze powers through to my soul.
“You are beautiful, angel.”
His beauty overpowers me every single time as I appreciate the finely crafted muscles to his face, his deep brown eyes and his strong jawline. The muscles ripple under his black silk shirt, always slightly open, revealing the danger to my heart inside. His hips are circled by a brown leather belt, his pants disguising the strong legs of a man who towers above me, even when I’m wearing heels. Tonight, I am not and he appears a mountainbefore me, one I’m eager to climb, to witness its beauty, to marvel I am here at all.
He holds out his hand.
“Come, we will be late for our booking and I’m hungry after the long day we’ve had.”
