Chapter 17
Eli
I’ve never napped this much in my life. Cesar’s presence is so reassuring, my body so happily shuts down under a blanket while he drives us someplace only he knows.
“Snacks?” I ask when he wakes me up. I’m not that hungry, but it’s becoming a joke between us, so I don’t miss the opportunity to brighten his day.
He needs it. The horrific things he’s gone through have scarred him in ways deeper and more profound than any physical injuries he’s endured.
I’ll do anything in my power to support him, even if I can’t offer that much.
It’s already dark, but as he leans over me, stroking the side of my head, I spot warm lights behind him. “Wakey, wakey. Time to treat ourselves to a nice time on Christmas Eve,” he says, pointing at the large Christmas tree right outside our car window.
I smile at him, because it gets me all fuzzy inside that he’s getting into the Christmas spirit. I want him to have that. So what if he’s a killer? Maybe it’s fucked up, but life is fucked up. Mine definitely is.
“You prepared something? Where are we?” I push off my blanket, trying to work out our new location.
He glances over his shoulder and smirks. “Prepared is too big of a word. But I think you deserve a break. Someone canceled their reservation last minute, and I snatched the room.”
I open the car door and I finally see it.
Holly Falls Lodge and Spa spelled in elegant letters above a grand entrance to a sprawling building sat above a gorge. I can see it all quite clearly thanks to the opulent Christmas decorations sparkling with colorful lights.
And then I hear something else. I don’t wait for Cesar to assist me and limp out to a barrier beyond which I hear the waterfall the resort was surely named after.
“Cesar! Come look at this!” I yell in excitement as the cool breeze hits my face and I inhale the fresh scent.
Which reminds me I should be wearing my mask, but there’s no one here.
Nobody to see me in the shadows as I marvel at the grand cascade of water illuminated with a golden-hued illumination.
We’re on the edge of a cliff overlooking the falls and the languid trail of the river, and while it’s dark, so I can only see so much, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more grand.
The sense of awe spreads through me, and I don’t even flinch when Cesar puts the cloth mask on my face, hooking the straps behind my ears. “I’ve been here before,” he tells me. “On a job, but this place is famous for their masked Christmas parties. We won’t stand out too much.”
I look back at him because right now, he’s more awe worthy than the waterfall.
“You thought of everything. I love you so much.” I turn to him for a tight hug, amazed that I thought I’d ruined my life when I killed Sullivan, but instead it led me to Cesar, and he’s rebuilding it brick by brick, into the most grandiose castle in existence.
He makes a small sound at the back of his throat, but after a moment’s pause, his warm arms tighten around me until he’s almost lifting me off the ground. I never knew safety could have a scent, but it’s herbal, and dark, and I’m surrounded by it.
“I just want to make you happy. Do you… want to bring some of the branches from the cabin with us?” he asks, gesturing at the car.
“No, I think they’ll fare better in the car, and it will smell nice when we come back.” I grab his hand. I know it will make us stand out more, but who is going to think the Festive Fugitive has gotten himself a boyfriend in two weeks?
The building’s dark wooden exterior is outlined with warm white string lights that trace the rooflines and gables, glowing against the night sky. The windows glow like golden panels, inviting us in, and I can’t wait to find out what feast awaits us—
“Are you sure we can afford this?” I glance at Cesar as we approach the glass door. I can already see the towering Christmas tree by the reception area, topped by a golden star and decorated in classic colors of red and green.
This place is fancy, like a hotel for the rich in one of those feel-good Christmas movies, and as we approach the door, I imagine we are the main characters of a rom-com, and this is when my man will reveal that he can surround me with mind-blowing luxury, and that I will never have to worry about money again.
“Quite sure,” he says, grinning at me, but his gaze drifts off when the automatic doors open and a tall man in a burgundy suit and wooden mask depicting a stylized reindeer muzzle steps out, ranting on his phone.
I’ve never owned clothing that fine. Maybe, I could get something of that quality for my wedding, but that’s about it.
“Is this my Pretty Woman moment? Next thing I know, you’ll be buying me a suit like that guy’s,” I laugh and lead the way in, though Cesar is instantly alarmed and puts his arm around me to secure my wobbly walk.
He got me a simple brace and pain meds, so I’m not even hurting, but that doesn’t mean he takes care of me any less than before.
I’m quite certain that if he didn’t want to be more discreet, he would be carrying me all the way to my room.
The foyer’s an upscale version of a lodge, with a floor of smooth stone, and the faint scent of winter berries hanging in the air as the guests socialize, have drinks by tables set up all over the area, or read.
Not everyone is masked, but Cesar and I are the worst-dressed people in the lobby. I fear everyone might be judging us, but my man approaches the reception as if he truly belongs here.
As he sorts out the details of our stay, I look around this festive heaven.
It’s a mix of luxury and rustic elements.
Elegant armchairs upholstered with plaid fabric stand in front of a fireplace, and a deer trophy overlooks the men having drinks there.
I can’t wait to see our room, but I hope it will have a few Christmas decorations too.
I can almost forget that I’m a wanted criminal.
Tonight it’s just me and my boyfriend who seems to have a bottomless bank account.
I stand by a wooden pillar, trying not to draw attention to myself, but a part of me still worries someone might recognize me by the shape of my eyes, so it’s a relief when Cesar grabs my hand and leads me to the elevator.
Our room is on the top floor, and when I step in, the amount of space shocks me.
Just like downstairs, the furnishings are simple in form but luxurious. The bed is massive. The coffee table is made from a slab of raw wood. Two armchairs face our very own fireplace, and the TV mounted on the wall is larger than any I’ve ever owned myself.
I feel like a beggar invited to a palace.
“You know what? If the cops get me after this, I would have still felt that at least I lived.” My heart beats faster when I spot a Christmas tree by the large balcony door and I now realize that we are not only about to enjoy Christmas Eve at this incredible place.
This is where we will also welcome Christmas Day.
I might be the happiest fugitive who ever lived.
I’m shocked to discover we have a balcony overlooking the falls, which I will be able to admire first thing in the morning, and the bathroom features a tub with water jets.
“Here, let me help you,” Cesar says, pushing me onto the bed, then removing my boots.
“I’m really getting the princess treatment here.
Thank you so much.” I stroke his hair as my heart melts.
I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve him.
When he kneels and puts his head in my lap, I’m terrified our happiness might come to an end at any moment, if somebody does recognize us, or if Cesar decides I am not in fact worth all this hassle.
But I want to trust him with my heart, and with my body, and soon enough, my fears quiet down.
We’ve ordered a ridiculous amount of food from a menu that doesn’t contain a price list, but at this point I am in for the ride. Who am I to question the contents of my man’s wallet? If he wants to treat me, I’ll let him.
I turn on the TV and start skipping through news channels as I stuff my mouth with a piece of cranberry pie with some alcohol in it.
I hope not to find anything about the Festive Fugitive.
It’s been over two weeks, and there’s a chance interest in me has died down in favor of exploring the depths of depravity discovered in Sullivan’s basement.
Cesar has fed me titbits of ‘positive’ information about the case, like people siding with me as the public opinion dissected my father’s legal case against Sullivan, or speculation that Sullivan tortured me, and I just lost it in an act of revenge. Which is not untrue.
The reveal of my sexuality has apparently stirred up the public’s interest in me, causing some people to speculate that I was Sullivan’s sugar baby, or something.
Cesar didn’t want to show me most of those, but he did treat me to some funny memes about how I ‘slay’.
I also rather enjoyed the disses thrown at Spencer who decided to have his five minutes of fame on the back of my infamy.
His other exes came out of the woodwork to spill all about how shitty of a boyfriend he was.
I never wanted my face all over the news, so I’m glad when instead of yet more segments about the chase, I see lovely videos from Christmas markets all around the world. I’m about to turn to some music channel when a familiar face appears on the screen.
It’s my fucking aunt.
Despite it being such a happy season, she’s in black, as if she’s intent on expressing to the whole nation just how sad she is over my crimes. She’s grown out her hair since I last saw her, and I’m happy the new fluffy hairstyle doesn’t suit her.
She and the reporter are exchanging the usual set of questions and answers.
How does the family feel about this?
Does the situation affect how they’re spending the holidays?
Does she have anything to say to her nephew, if he’s watching? That, obviously, is turn yourself in.
Fat fucking chance.