Chapter 16
Eva
“When lines are blurred, and the water gets cloudy, sometimes you have to rely on instinct alone.”
“What did you find about Fabbri that made you have to fake your death?” I ask him, needing to help keep the conversation going. I look down at where he is holding Claire’s hand, and I know I should feel jealous, but I don’t. She deserves the world. I won’t leave her side unless she asks me to.
“When I was digging into his empire, I found that he has an older female partner. I was digging further into the offshore accounts and shell companies when I walked into a code that alerted them. They couldn’t backdoor into my system, but they had enough time to figure out where and who I am.
” I admit, disappointed in myself that I didn’t see it sooner.
“I thought you were the best at what you do. How did you walk into a digital trap?” Leo asks his best friend, his voice laced with confusion.
“It was an account that was making transfers from one shell company to the next. I followed the money and didn’t realize until it was too late. He knew where I was and that I was onto him, so I needed to disappear before he sent more people after you,” Rome responded with an almost desperate tone.
“What have you found since?” I ask him, knowing that he wasn’t going to give up so easily. Not when the lives of the people he loves are on the line.
“This is the weird part. I have been tracking them all over the world. Most of the transfers were scattered and hard to track until I dug deeper. When I finally figured out how to break the encryption, I found money being funneled and spent on a secluded house just outside of Seattle,” Rome admits, and we all look around in shock.
“He’s here?” Ella asks, and I feel Claire’s hand tighten on mine. I squeeze her hand back reassuringly.
“He and his accomplice have been at the property since you got married. They are hiding in plain sight and hoping that no one will catch them,” Rome responds, smiling for the first time all day.
“When do we leave?” asks Leo, and I smile at his eagerness. I take a moment to observe the room and all of us. No one wants to be left behind on this, but will everyone make it through this? Is it a good idea to attack an enemy with so little backup?
“We can leave at any point today, but I would recommend going at dusk, stashing the vehicles on an access road, and traversing in when the sun is down,” Rome responds, ready and waiting for further instruction from his best friend.
“Okay,” Leo says, looking at his watch and assessing the time.
“We can meet at my place at three to go over the plan and suit up.” Rome offers, knowing that we have some hours to kill between now and then.
“What do we do until then?” asks Claire in a soft voice. I know how hard this is for her. She thinks that she is getting left behind and she cannot sit here alone.
“I am going to stay here and catch up with your brother and sister-in-law on the background information that I didn’t have access to before,” I responded, knowing that she needs time with Rome to clear her head.
This is going to be hard given her history and the emotions that she has with everyone involved.
They need time to smooth the waters before we are all thrust into battle.
“What about me?” she asks, looking at the floor afraid of the answer. My poor sweet flower. I promise that you will never be cast aside. As long as my heart beats, it will be for you.
“You’re coming with me to my place,” Rome responds to her question, and looks over at me for approval. I nod, glad that we are able to ensure her safety and I still get to be fully debriefed about the people we are about to face.
“You aren’t going to lock me up here and leave me?” Claire asks in astonishment. My heart breaks for her. She is so used to being kept from the world and out of sight that she honestly expected us to shut her away. I take my free hand and cup her cheek gently.
“I know that in the past people have kept you under lock and key but from now on, you will always have a choice in the matter. I never want you to feel as though decisions are being made on your behalf. It is your life and if you want to go, all I ask is that you stay between Rome and me so that we can protect you better.” I respond, dismissing the very idea that she should be locked away.
“Thank you, what should I bring?” she asks, looking over at Rome. His cheeks pinken, causing me to smile. This is the sweeter side of him that isn’t easy to portray in a file.
“Wear whatever makes you comfortable. I have clothes and everything in my closet already for you,” he admits, the color of his cheeks getting more pronounced. She smiles widely, and then looks over at me.
“You’re sure that you’re okay with this?” she questions, warming my heart.
“I will never ask you to choose. I know making a choice between us would cause you pain. All I ask is for your honesty. Everything else is available for discussion,” I reassure her by placing a soft kiss on her cheek.
A rosy blush creeps up her cheeks making me smile.
While I may not love sharing her, I will gladly do it if it makes her happy.
She is more than I could have ever hoped to ask for in this life after losing Emma all those years ago.
“Why?” she asks, still unsure of how this all works. I smile softly.
“Years ago, I was in love with someone and she died. I know how it feels to hold space for someone that you’ve lost and since he is back from the dead, I would never ask you to relive a pain I know so well.” I respond, voice cracking at the mention of losing her.
“Did you eliminate the person who took her from you?” Rome asks, ready to help where he can.
“I did,” I respond.