Chapter 65
Chapter Sixty-Five
F ragments of memories haunted me—rough plastic biting into my wrists, the dank mustiness of the warehouse choking my lungs, the void-like darkness of a gun barrel. I jolted awake with a strangled gasp, heart thundering.
Where am I?
As my eyes adjusted to the shadowy room, I registered Neil’s form curled around me, his arm draped over my waist.
Neil is here. I’m okay.
The tension seeped from my muscles as his deep, even breaths and the steady rise and fall of his chest lulled me back into a sense of security.
The single bed was cramped, too small for the both of us, but I didn’t care. After everything, having him near was the greatest comfort I could ask for. I shifted, nestling deeper under the covers. Neil reflexively tightened his embrace with a soft murmur, and I allowed my eyelids to drift shut.
The next time I woke up, Neil was gone.
Before I had time to panic, the hinges of the door creaked. Neil slipped back inside, a fond smile gracing his lips as our eyes met. He crossed to the bedside table and set down a tray laden with a full English breakfast—sausages, eggs, beans, toast, the whole shebang—along with a mug steaming with the promise of a decent cuppa. “Morning, Sleeping Beauty,” he crooned. “I was starting to think you might hibernate right through until next Christmas.”
My stomach rumbled with blatant, traitorous need. Just how late had I slept in?
Neil dragged the desk chair over to the bedside with a screech and sat, watching me expectantly.
“What time is it?” I asked, yawning.
“Just after eleven.”
I rubbed grit from my eyes. “Wow. I slept in.”
“You needed it. Now, eat up. If you can get your energy back, I’ll take you out this afternoon.”
I snapped upright. “Out? Like, outside? Isn’t that dangerous?”
Neil shook his head. “While Daniel’s in custody, and his criminal contacts in the UK are under close police scrutiny, no one will dare make a move against you or me. We’re free to stop hiding.”
In a rush of emotion, I threw my arms around Neil. He held me for a long stretch, stroking my hair.
“Does that mean it’s finally over?” I asked.
Neil’s smile faded to something more sombre. “Yes. It’s over. I don’t think Daniel’s going to worm his way out of this.”
“That’s a relief.”
Neil nudged a fork towards me. “Now, eat.”
I dug into the pile of fluffy scrambled eggs and ate a mouthful to appease him. “So, where did you want to take me?” I asked, loading the fork again.
Neil grinned. “I heard your Christmas plans got rudely interrupted. Let me make it up to you.”
I dropped the fork and flung my arms around him again.
The crisp air nipped at my cheeks as Neil and I strolled hand in hand along a path lined with wooden stalls decked in strings of fairy lights. Cinnamon, mulled wine, roasting nuts, and gingerbread perfumed the air. All around me, the Winter Wonderland hummed with an infectious energy. Christmas music played, and crowds flocked at food vendors, amusement park rides, and an ice rink. It was like something plucked straight from the pages of a storybook. It was everything I had imagined and more.
Neil led me away from the main thoroughfare towards a quiet alcove housing a quaint little cafe strung with twinkling icicle lights. We ordered piping-hot mulled wine—his the classic blend, mine a tart Bramley-apple flavour laced with cinnamon. I inhaled the heady scent as we settled across from each other at the rustic wooden table.
As idyllic as this moment was, the cold knot deep in my stomach refused to unwind. I traced patterns through the condensation on the tabletop, reluctant to shatter the magical ambiance with questions and insecurities. Neil’s eyes met mine over the rims of our steaming mugs, a knowing look in his eyes. “What’s on your mind?” he asked.
Curling my fingers around the warm mug, I mustered my words. “So, now that Daniel is out of the picture for the time being, what comes next?”
Neil took a slow sip of his mulled wine. “We wait. Even uncontested, the will could take a year to process.”
“That long?”
“Maybe even longer.”
“And then?”
“Daniel will own eight percent of Zelthia, I will own four percent, and Veronica one percent.”
“But that means Daniel would still be the majority shareholder…”
Neil smirked, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “I still have one card left up my sleeve.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“Avenex owns a three point five percent stake.”
“Dixon—”
Neil shook his head. “Dixon is just the manager. Avenex is my company. I own its shareholdings—unbeknownst to Daniel. When the time is right, I will reveal my hand. Veronica and I will pool our shares into Avenex, which will give us the majority.”
I shook my head, dumbfounded. “You had this all planned out from the very beginning.”
“Not quite. A lot of pieces fell into place through sheer dumb luck along the way. But yes, things are lining up as I envisioned.”
A pensive silence fell between us as I digested everything. It was happening. Soon, Daniel would be relegated to the sidelines while Neil and Veronica took control and began their reforms to turn Zelthia into an ethical, sustainable business. After years of plotting, Neil was on the cusp of achieving his goal. My heart swelled with awe, pride, and exhilaration on his behalf. But through the euphoria, a twinge of melancholy pricked at me. Now that his end game was in sight, what did that mean for us? The thought of him slipping from my grasp made my chest ache. I forced the worries down and lifted my chin. “Once you’ve taken control, what will happen?”
“My job is done. I’ll be handing the reins to Veronica. She’s the one who will lead the new era of Zelthia.”
“And what will you do?”
Neil reached across the table and took my hand in his. “I want you to have as much say in that as I do.”
The knot in my stomach came undone. He wanted to be with me. He wanted us to shape our future together.
His expression turned serious. “But before all that, I need to tie up loose ends in Singapore and in Auckland. I can’t leave everything up in the air. Ronnie needs me, Luxmore needs me… unless… unless you want me to stay with you? Because I’d do it. I’d turn my back on it all for you, if that’s what you wish.”
His voice was so raw, so earnest, I knew he meant it. In that moment, part of me was tempted to take him up on the offer. But I couldn’t ask that of him. Not after he’d already come so far. To throw away years of work and sacrifice now would be a betrayal, not just of the mission, but of the person Neil had fought to become. And truth be told, that was the person I had fallen in love with.
Swallowing hard, I entwined my fingers through his. “I want you to see this through to the end. No matter how long it takes.”
Neil’s eyes widened a fraction, brows lifting. Then, all at once, his features relaxed and settled into a look of pure gratitude and adoration. “I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
I shook my head, squeezing his hand. “Just come back to me in one piece, that’s all I ask. Oh, and look after Archie. He needs you just as much as Ronnie and Luxmore need you.”
Neil grinned. “He’s in good hands with a capable dogsitter. But you’re right. I need to get back to him.”
The tension between us eased, a comfortable understanding blossoming in its place. When it came to the important things, we were aligned. Even if our respective paths diverged for a while, they would eventually converge once more.
“I’ll have Europe to keep me occupied while you’re busy finishing what you started,” I said.
Neil sighed. “After what happened to you, I’m going to have a hard time with the knowledge you’re out on your own. I doubt Daniel would be capable of sending anyone after you anymore, but still… It would ease my fears if you had Lana as a chaperone.”
“Lana?”
“The woman you referred to as Hannah. Lana is her real name. She’ll need a new assignment now.”
“Lana…” Even though she had been paid to act as my best friend, I liked to think we had become real friends in the process, and I wouldn’t mind spending more time with her. Besides, if having her along to watch my back would grant Neil some peace of mind, I could allow him that. “If she agrees, then yes. At least for a couple of months until I find my footing.”
Neil’s shoulders eased, some of his worry lines smoothing out. “Good. I’ll arrange it.”
I brought my hands back to cradle my hot drink. “When are you going to leave London?”
“The police wish to talk to me, but once that’s taken care of, I should go.”
“Stay with me until Christmas.” The words sprang to my lips before I could even think them through.
Smiling, Neil leaned across the table. “Your wish is my command.” He sealed the deal with a chaste kiss pressed to my lips.
“Thank you.”
“I wouldn’t want to spend Christmas with anyone else.”
“Me either.”
When we had finished our mulled wine, Neil stood and offered his arm. “Shall we?”
I rose and slipped my hand into the crook of his elbow. As we walked side by side, faint white flecks began to drift through the air.