Chapter Three
Tessa
The car rolled onto the tarmac, cutting through puddles from the afternoon rain.
A helicopter sat waiting, its rotors in motion and three men in dark jackets standing by.
I could feel the thump of the blades before I even stepped out.
My legs wobbled a little, but I made myself walk to the open door and climb in without looking at Antonio.
My duffle landed on the seat next to me, the only thing that belonged to me in this entire production.
Antonio climbed in next. The guy named Kass followed, sitting across from us and closing the hatch behind him.
Once we all were safely buckled in, the pilot gave a thumbs-up through the plexiglass, and we lifted off, straight up, a tight, sickening lurch in my stomach.
I braced my palm against the seat to keep my hand from shaking.
The city shrank under us, the skyscrapers of downtown looking like haunted castles as the clouds closed in on the still moonlit skyline. No one spoke the entire hour-long flight. My head swam with all the things I should have asked earlier before I agreed to leave with Antonio.
A red light inside the cabin snapped on and the engine’s pitch changed.
The helicopter started to drop. I looked out the window and saw a well-lit flat patch of concrete on top of a rocky shoulder, lined with lights and a windsock.
We touched down in one smooth maneuver then stayed seated while the rotors powered down.
A set of heavy steel doors stood at the edge of the pad.
They opened to a tunnel, sloping gently down into the rock.
I quickly grabbed up my bag. Antonio helped me out of the cabin, steadied me while my legs adjusted to being back on land, then led me toward the tunnel.
The air inside was cool and dry, almost with a sterile feel about it.
Security cameras nestled in the corners and a touch panel glowed softly in the dim lighting.
Kass followed at my back, which meant I couldn’t run even if I wanted to.
The tunnel opened into a space that was half mountain lodge, half Bond villain bunker.
Someone had spent some serious fucking money making it look accidental.
The walls were wood, but the seams were perfect.
The furniture was obviously expensive but understated and vintage-looking.
I saw a fireplace built of black stone and a glass coffee table the size of a raft.
A spiral staircase led upstairs to a hallway stretching off to the left to what I assumed were the living areas. If I had to describe the look of the place, I’d put it at modern rustic with state-of-the-art luxuries.
Antonio stopped at the center of the room and let me catch up.
He didn’t look at me when he spoke. “You’ll have the top floor.
The stairwell is alarmed and there’s a secure phone in your suite.
You can use it to call Kass or anyone else on staff.
Kitchen’s always stocked. There’s a med room on the first floor.
A doctor comes by every other day unless I call him.
” He said it like he was reciting a list of guest amenities, but I heard the part he didn’t say.
Every layer of this place was designed to keep someone inside and comfortable for a very long time.
Kass peeled off down the hallway, leaving us alone. Antonio waited for me to say something, but my mouth was dry and every muscle in my body buzzed with adrenaline.
“Thanks,” I said, because it was the only thing I could think to say.
He turned to face me. His expression didn’t give anything away. “You’re safe here,” he said. “I’ll protect you with my life, Tessa.”
“I didn’t ask for that. I don’t want anyone’s life in my hands like that.”
“No, you didn’t ask. I’m giving you my protection. That’s not something I give to anyone but family.”
That surprised me, but I didn’t know what to say or what questions to ask yet.
I needed some space to think. He watched me a second longer, then walked to the base of the spiral stairs and gestured for me to precede him which I did.
On the third step, my foot slipped. He caught my elbow with one hand while his other arm went around my back, holding me against his body to keep me from falling.
I stiffened but didn’t push him away. He held me for a second before loosening the embrace slightly, then letting go.
Christ, I was so fucked. So fucking fucked. Being in Antonio’s arms felt better than anything I could have ever possibly imagined. I had no idea if this man meant it when he said he’d keep me safe, but the way I felt with his arms around me made a believer out of me.
I shook off the emotional response. The only way I’d survive this was to keep my wits about me. I couldn’t afford to fall under the spell of Antonio Miles.
At the top of the stairs, a hallway branched off into several doors.
He opened the first one and stepped aside so I could enter.
The suite inside was bigger than any apartment I’d ever lived in.
As he showed me where everything was, I got the general layout.
There was a reading nook next to a huge picture window overlooking the valley, a bathroom with a soaking tub, and two bedrooms. Windows on the other side looked straight out at the mountains, the sun sinking behind them in the distance.
“The windows are bulletproof. It’s perfectly safe to enjoy the view.”
“Is this a safehouse, or a prison?” I asked.
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he came into the room and stood by the window, gazing out at the trees. “It’s a bit of both,” he said, finally. “But it’s yours. For now.” At least he didn’t lie to me. I could deal with honesty. That way, I could prepare for the immediate future.
Once he left, I unpacked my bag. There were fresh clothes in the closet. My favorite shampoo was already in the shower. Someone had put several bottles of my brand of water in the fridge. I opened one and drank half in one go, then paced the length of the suite until my heartbeat slowed.
The sun set fast behind the ridge. I watched the sky go dark, the stars push through the black. I waited for the fear to settle, but it didn’t.
After a while, I stopped pacing and lay down on the bed. The sheets smelled fresh and clean and the cool pillow felt soothing against my cheek. I closed my eyes and decided I’d figure it all out after some rest. Surprisingly, I drifted off easily.
* * *
The next morning, a woman with a headset and a tablet knocked on my door. She looked younger than I but had the bearing of someone who’d been at this a while. She told me her name was Mae, and led me through the main part of the house to the great room.
Antonio sat at the head of a long dining table, scrolling his phone with a cup of coffee in front of him. He looked up and watched me cross the room, his gaze taking me in. I kept my chin up, because I knew I absolutely could not show weakness to this man.
Seth Miles entered from the kitchen. He wore charcoal gray slacks and a black silk shirt open at the throat.
He’d rolled up his sleeves, displaying tanned, muscular forearms. A tattoo snaked around one arm to the top of his hand.
He stood as tall as his son but wasn’t as broad-shouldered.
His movements were graceful and full of controlled power.
It was easy to see the resemblance between the two men.
He fixed his gaze on me and, try as I might, I couldn’t keep from looking away.
“Miss Garrison,” he said. “I’m pleased you made the journey safely.
” I could tell he meant what he said. His voice was warm, but not soft, but this wasn’t a man you crossed.
Ever. He sat across from me. Antonio seemed to ignore us as Seth studied me for a few seconds.
“I trust my son has made you comfortable.”
“I should thank you for your hospitality,” I said. “Though, I confess, I didn’t expect this.” I waved my hand to indicate the opulent surroundings.
Seth’s mouth ticked up at the corner. “You’re very welcome, my dear.” He poured coffee into a second cup and slid it across the table to me. “But I suspect you have questions.”
I looked at Antonio. He maintained his poker face, but his knuckles had gone white around the coffee mug.
I was supposed to make this easy for them, to say thank you, accept the food, shelter, and the security, and go along with whatever they decided to do with me.
Unfortunately for everyone involved, that wasn’t going to work for me.
“Who tried to hit Haven?” I asked. “And why do they want me?”
Seth didn’t blink. “You come to the point quickly. Good.” He looked at Antonio, then back at me.
“The first answer is Iron. The second answer is less clear. By simply surviving, you’ve made some powerful enemies.
I believe Iron is acting on behalf of someone else, but my men are still mapping out the network. ”
I took the cup but didn’t drink. “Is there a third answer?”
“Yes,” he said. “You’re a convenient leverage against my son.” He said it with zero judgment. “There is no shortage of people who would like to test the Miles family. Some think the best way is through those we have an interest in.”
I could feel Antonio’s stare, but I didn’t look at him. “I’m of no interest to Antonio.”
Seth actually chuckled as he shook his head…
almost like he thought I was too cute for words.
“He disagrees, I think,” he said, nodding at Antonio with a grin so much like a wolf in a fable my stomach turned over.
“My son doesn’t make a habit of bringing home women he doesn’t care about. Not for any reason.”
I risked a glance. He kept his jaw locked and didn’t confirm or deny. I set the coffee mug down. “That’s not my concern. I need to know how long I’m a target.”