Chapter 14
Sophia tapped on the steering wheel, glancing in the rearview mirror several times, keeping just above the speed limit as she drove.
Her nerves were on edge, a combination of anxiety and frustration building.
She glanced at the single sterling silver rose and the note she’d found at her house, exactly where Wrath had indicated it would be.
He’d known better than to make his final request over the phone.
She had good reason to believe her phones had several pairs of ears listening.
What he did mention in exacting detail was the name of the informant as well as corroborating evidence regarding the group of people he’d been assigned to assassinate.
David.
If his accusations were only half true, the horrific nature of their activities would be considered treason to the United States. Wrath had subsequently sent a blind email with an address that would quickly disappear, and she’d forwarded it to the director with a significant time delay.
She eased the rose into her hand, taking a deep whiff. He’d remembered her favorite flower or perhaps it was a reminder of the past. Almost everything about Wrath held an air of surprise.
Twenty minutes later, her GPS indicated the correct exit.
Slowing down, she made the turn onto the ramp then came to a complete stop.
There was no one behind her, no one to help.
Or hinder. This had to be done. Calm your nerves.
You can do this. This time, she laughed out loud.
The little voice had been working overtime.
As she pulled up to a gate, the chain link swung open and she gripped the steering wheel.
She pulled to a full stop, cutting the engine only a few seconds later.
When she climbed out of the car, she had the Glock in her hand.
Taking methodical steps, she walked toward the plane.
The Learjet was running, ready to taxi down the runway, no doubt for a country without extradition.
Good for him.
She didn’t have to wait long. The door opened, and she held her breath.
Wrath eased out onto the platform, tilting his head.
The single word in her mind?
Dangerous.
He was dressed in linen pants, a flowing shirt and wearing sunglasses; Sophia was surprised how relaxed he seemed. She held the gun in both hands as he approached, anxiety as well as excitement slithering down her spine.
When he was only a few inches away, he removed his shades then closed the distance. Lifting one arm, he wrapped his hand around hers, squeezing before taking the gun out of her hand. “I wasn’t certain if you would come.”
“I wasn’t certain that I would, but you were right about a deal for protection. They never intended on honoring it.” She’d thought of nothing but the man and the way he made her feel since the incident. He was her world, in some ridiculous but beautiful fashion.
He chuckled. “As I would have expected.”
Inhaling, his exotic cologne filled her nostrils, giving her a sense of peace.
She no longer had any fear or reservations, especially since her partner had been an informant for the Dark Haven for years, long before they’d become partners.
She had a distinct feeling David’s life would be cut short, spending most of his years inside a Federal prison.
“My world is brutal, sweet Sophia,” Wrath said quietly.
“I know.”
“And unforgiving,” he half laughed.
“The consortium.” Another man approached, equally as handsome as Wrath, a chiseled face that could stop traffic.
He studied her intently, a smile finally curling in the corner of his mouth.
“They refuse to allow you to have anything to do with them.” Killing Gabriel must have sent more shockwaves than she could imagine.
He noticed her gaze and lifted an eyebrow. “The members certainly don’t kindly to anyone refusing their orders. The fact is, I couldn’t kill you.”
“David made certain they knew I was alive. That bastard.”
Wrath nodded as the other man stopped just a foot behind him. “Let’s just say David was supposed to carry out the hit on my life by tomorrow. The consortium figured that he could get close without causing initial alarm. I was lucky that I was tipped off as to the detailed plan.”
Swallowing, she inched even closer, her body trembling. “Then I was next on the list.”
“Yes. As you might imagine, I couldn’t allow that to happen, but I required some help in getting out of a difficult situation.”
Sophia shifted closer to the stranger, eyeing him up and down. “That’s where you come in.”
“She is just as formidable as you told me, Wrath, but entirely more beautiful,” the stranger commented in a husky voice, the Italian accent heavy. He took her hand, pressing his lips against her knuckles. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Nicolo Moretti.”
The name rang a significant bell.
“You are the son of Leonardo Moretti, another suspected consortium member.” She slowly removed her hand, taking a step back. “What are you trying to tell me, Wrath? What the hell is going on here?”
Wrath cupped her face, rubbing his thumb across her mouth. “I adore you, sweet Sophia. You are my life, my very salvation. I will give you everything you’ve ever desired, but there’s a deal I’m going to offer. You must trust me.”
“A deal. Trust.” She shivered from his touch.
“Will you be able to do that?”
The tenderness in his voice was seductive, the urgency terrifying. Trusting him would take everything out of her, but there was nothing left for her there, nothing that held any meaning. “Yes.”
He seemed relieved. “Nicolo is a… friend of mine. We grew up together. Yes, his father is on the consortium and a supporter of both my father and me. Fortunately, no one is aware that we can even tolerate each other.”
“It is difficult to stomach your certain proclivities,” Nicolo teased, his face immediately hardening. “Wrath is a natural born leader. He will change the course of the old ways of the consortium in time. That is much needed. The brutal ways must end.”
“Nicolo is right. However, defying the consortium wasn’t in my best interest, Sophia. Killing my brother only added fuel to the fire. I need to disappear for a while and the only way you’re going to be safe is if you do as well,” Wrath further explained.
“What are you suggesting?” she asked. “A trip until things calm down?”
Wrath looked at the skyline, shaking his head. “I love the vibrancy of this city; the beautiful people, the music, and the amazing food.”
“Cut to the chase, Wrath.”
He pulled her closer, staring into her eyes. “We need to die in order to live.”
“Die? I don’t…” It dawned on her what he was getting at—faking their own deaths. “You’re serious. Pretend we’re dead.”
“It is the only way. There is already infighting amongst the other members. They will…how do you say, burn themselves out in time. I will have the glory of announcing your deaths and their spiral toward hell. They will soon need young blood to take their places.” Nicolo’s tone had turned serious.
“How long do we need to stay in hiding?” she asked, trying to rationalize the idea. That could be the only way to get Wrath… to get them both off the radar and safe.
“You can never return to your life, but we will begin one together,” Wrath stated, his finger brushing aimlessly across her arm. “If you can trust me enough. I will learn of the right time to take my rightful place. In the meantime, we will indulge in our every fantasy.”
Sophia held her breath, her mind reeling.
“Will you come with me? Do you accept the deal?” Wrath asked.
“We should go, my friend. We have little time to make this work.” Nicolo stepped closer. “Another assassin will arrive soon enough.”
Wrath gave her a longing look.
Sophia stole a glance over her shoulder, studying the Miami skyline. Yes, this she could do. No, this she wanted more than anything. “Accepted.”
Leaning down, he kissed her lips. “Then come with me. We have an island to explore. Fiji is beautiful this time of year.”
She was leaving everything behind. Her career. Her few friends. All her belongings. As he led her up the stairs and to the beginning of a new life, she stopped only once before going inside the plane.
Six weeks later
The Islands…
A home.
Sophia rarely talked about a home or family, but Wrath knew it remained on her mind. He would give her the world if possible. For now, the lovely home only steps away from the ocean would have to do.
He stood in the doorway, the warm breezes allowing the sweet scent of jasmine to float into the room.
There was no way the lovely fragrance was able to mask Sophia’s natural perfume, even though subtle in nature.
Perhaps his skin was permanently stained with her lovely essence.
The sun had just broken through the clouds, shimmering down on her copper strands of hair, creating a bronze halo surrounding her head.
Love. Who would have ever thought he could capture the emotion, reveling in every day he spent with her.
He’d never expected to be this happy. He certainly didn’t deserve his good fortune. The devil himself should have dragged him into the very depths of hell.
Sophia had told him that people could change, that goodness was a product of the heart that could never be eliminated. He wasn’t convinced she was right, but he wanted nothing more than to enjoy their new life together.
Sighing, he took a sip of his wine, studying the way she was carefully planting flowers in the various poolside containers.
She was taking her time as if nothing else mattered.
With her hands covered in dirt, her face glistening from the slight exertion, he knew she was the most beautiful woman on the face of the Earth.
News of their untimely demise had been handled much like Gabriel’s, with limited acknowledgement. Although his father was aware a plan had been concocted, Wrath had refused to allow details to ensure his safety.