Chapter 11
JULIUS
For a moment I just stare at her, something gnawing at me from inside.
The only words playing on repeat are ‘a decent man’.
It hits me hard because, of course, Rose wants a decent man.
She’s lived with a tyrant for most of her life, and yet that is not happening for her.
If she succeeds in her inheritance, it will most definitely not be down to a decent man, and for some reason I feel bad for her.
She smiles, and it takes my breath away as she tentatively leans forward and this time lays her palm flat against my face and stares into my eyes.
“I have a feeling you consider yourself not to be a decent man. I disagree.”
“So are you saying that I’m in with a chance?”
I cock my head to one side, and she chuckles softly, the action lighting a spark in her eyes that whips the breath from my body.
“You are a decent man, Julius; you just disguise it well, I’m guessing.”
“You’re wrong, Rose.”
I shake my head, hating this conversation but realizing I must be honest with her.
“Decency is living a respectable life. Playing by the rule book and working a steady job. It’s putting others before yourself and remaining within the boundaries that keep you on the right path.
I am not on that path, Rose. I went off-road the moment I could walk and live by my own rules.
There is no decency in my life when there is nothing in it for me. ”
I wave my hand around at the opulence surrounding us.
“My family takes rather than asks. They demand and they are ruthless in getting what they want. The guy who died — that is on me. I may not have pulled the trigger, but I gave the order. You see, nothing gets in the way of what I want—what my family wants and so push aside any notion that I am decent because I am not.”
She falls back against her seat and nods, her throat bobbing as she swallows hard, and it’s as if I struck a cute puppy. Disappointment flares in her eyes, and she casts them down, a fragile shake to her shoulders as she digests my words.
Eddie appears by my side.
“We land in twenty minutes. You should be prepared for that.”
I point to the seat in front of us, and as he folds his huge frame into it, Rose stares at him with interest.
“When we land, there is a car waiting for you. Customs and border security will be waiting at the foot of the steps, but there will be no problems with that.”
I’m aware Eddie will have made certain of a huge payout to get us through the border, and he holds out two passports and an envelope.
“You are Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan from Orlando.”
I raise my eyes, and his slight chuckle reminds me what a bastard he can be.
“Orlando?”
“Why not?”
Rose glances between us in confusion. “What’s going on?”
I take her hand and grin.
“Road trip. We must lose ourselves while Eddie clears our path home. You wanted excitement, baby girl; your wish is my command.”
“Will it be dangerous?”
“Life is dangerous.“ I snap and then say casually, “Not every corner reveals somebody out to get you. Sometimes life has a habit of dealing a blow where you least expect it. Accidents happen, health matters, disasters destroy and circumstances change. You cannot live life and not be affected by something along the way, but if you hide from it, you miss out on the most amazing gift man could ever receive. So, embrace change and run with it because one year of freedom will become addictive, and after a few days, you will no longer walk in fear of it.”
Eddie rolls his eyes, and I resist offering him my middle finger and growl, “What else?”
“You have the necessary paperwork, phones and credit cards in your new names. There is also enough cash should you require it, and I would advise you to pick up clothes and items you may need for your journey. There is an address you should head to tonight where you will be safe. They are expecting you.”
“What address?”
“It’s a g?te in the middle of nowhere. The couple who run it are clean and unaware of anything outside of their idyllic existence. Use the time to plan your route and don’t even tell me where you are going. You’re on your own.”
“Are you sure about that?”
I reference the two guys he mentioned would be tailing us, and he shrugs.
“To a degree.”
Rose is obviously confused, and Eddie points to one of the rings on my finger. “You should get Rose a ring when you stop. Think of everything and play the American tourist because you must not draw attention to yourselves.”
“I’m good with that.”
He nods, apparently satisfied.
“Head for Spain. You can get a flight from Madrid to the US and then make your way to the ranch at Denver. Do not tell anyone about your route, and all communication must be kept to a minimum.”
Rose glances between us and appears so worried I instinctively reach for her hand and smile my reassurance.
“Relax, baby, this is what you wanted. It’s a shame about your companion, but we can work on that.”
I wink, and her soft smile causes my gaze to linger a little too long because Rose is the most beautiful woman I have ever met, and it’s not just because she is insanely attractive.
It’s the good in her that shines through, and yet the hint of steel in her gaze when she refers to her stepmother gives me something to work with.
Rose will need to be strong to survive this year in many ways.
It won’t be easy and could all unravel, but all the time it is me holding her hand, I would like to see them fucking try.
Eddie sighs as the landing gear lowers, the grind of the machinery reminding us that shit is about to get real.
He says roughly, “Good luck and I’ll see you on the other side.”
He leaves, obviously hating every second of this, and Rose whispers, “Why can’t we carry on to Washington?”
“Because there is one known enemy waiting to pounce, not to mention several others probably waiting nearby. We must be clever, cunning and reckless if we are going to secure your future, Rose, and once again I must remind you that a decent man is not what you require right now.”
I turn and grin and note the blush steal across her face as I growl, “The devil’s in charge now, baby girl, so buckle up for the ride.”