Chapter 26
ROSE
When I wake, what happened yesterday reminds me why I should have never left the convent. It’s as if my world crashes onto another planet as the full implications of what happened explode my mind.
Today is my wedding day. I asked a man to marry me, and it kind of made my decision for me. It took two days to convince me that I don’t want to return to the convent, but at what cost?
I blink in the hope it brings clarity, but if anything, it reprimands me further.
You are a fool.
My head screams at me while my heart whispers, You did the right thing.
I am torn between the two of them, and common sense interjects with, You solved a huge problem. You had no other choice.
But at what cost? My sisters may decide to return to the convent, and I will have lost them forever. I didn’t even wait until I got to Washington. I foolishly grasped the nearest safe pair of hands and pleaded with him never to let go of me.
It’s better the devil you know than the demon intent on harming you.
My voice of reason makes a good point, and I breathe a little easier. I made my decision after possibly one of the scariest moments of my life, and I will have to live with that.
I glance across at the space beside me and note with a sigh that it remains untouched. Julius never joined me, no matter how much I wanted him to, and yet it’s only a matter of time. I sense it.
My mind returns to when he touched me. When his fingers glided against my skin, and drove me slightly mad.
I wanted something sinful. I’m under no illusion that I wanted him to touch me more, to explore my body like he promised and own it as he intends to.
I should be horrified, but I’m full of anticipation.
Will it be today, tonight, next week or next month?
I sense the tension building between us, and I’m so ready for the result of that, and when the door opens, and the man himself enters the room, my heart flips, and my body comes alive the second he smiles in my direction.
“Morning, baby. I’m sorry, you should shower and dress for a flight. We have thirty minutes before the cab arrives.”
“The cab? I thought–”
“Change of plan.”
He is wearing his customary black shirt and trousers, the gold wristwatch complementing the crucifix hanging around his neck.
It’s strangely comforting, almost a sign from God to trust in the dark demon he sent to protect me, and if I’m certain of one thing, it’s that I was always meant to be with this man.
We don’t hang around, and the ride to the airport is spent in silent contemplation.
The driver isn’t talkative and merely spends most of the time singing along to a Spanish song, revealing why he drives cabs for a living.
It’s amusing, but Julius isn’t amused because he appears to be locked away in his thoughts, a dark brooding presence in an uncertain world.
We check in without a hitch, and I’m surprised when it turns out we are heading for Vegas rather than Denver, and on the way to the first-class lounge, I whisper, “Why Vegas?”
“Because we can get married there without any long drawn-out process. I made a few calls last night and secured the relevant permits, so we’re good to go.”
“But isn’t that the place our, well, enemies will guess we’ll go? I would because Vegas is known for its weddings, and if they are thinking straight, they will second guess our plans.”
“Possibly.”
His amused grin causes me to ask, “Why is that funny?”
“You amuse me, Rose.”
“I amuse you?”
I raise my eyes, and he reaches for my hand, squeezing it softly. “You think like me, which amuses me because we are completely different people. I kind of like your strategic mind and respect it. Like I respect you.”
I smile as pleasure curls around my heart because I have never felt respected before.
Even my sisters consider me the klutz of the family because I have always listened rather than suggested and followed rather than be the leader.
However, with Julius, I possess the courage to voice my inner thoughts, and I wonder about that.
Why am I so comfortable around him?
It’s as if I have known him for my entire life, and I can breathe easier when he is around.
“To answer your question.” He smiles. “I used our fake names when registering, and my lawyer is instructed to arrange for the relevant documents to be waiting when we arrive. At the last minute, I will switch them, and we’ll be gone before anyone realizes we were there in the first place.”
“Do you think it will work? Can you trust him?”
“Of course.”
“Are you sure?”
I’m nervous because so much is at stake; I wouldn’t trust anyone.
“He is my lawyer for a reason and has proven himself a thousand times over. I trust him with my life, and there are not many people outside of family I could say the same for.”
“What about the man on the plane? Is he one of them?”
“Of course.”
Julius sounds positive of that, and I am reassured. I’m still uneasy though, and as we arrive at the lounge, I push my misgivings aside to enjoy an experience I have never had before.
When we traveled as children, it was in private jets, and I search the area, taking in every detail of how the elite live in normal society.
We make our way to a table, and as we sit down, a woman appears and hands us a menu with a smile.
“Welcome to the retreat. I will take your breakfast order when you’ve had a chance to make your selection, and in the meantime, can I offer you a drink?”
We order coffee, and as she moves away, I glance with interest at our fellow passengers. Julius’s dark gaze sweeps the room, studying every person here as if searching for something.
If anything, it protects me because I’m fast learning nothing is to be taken for granted, and if he is on high alert, there must be a very good reason for that.
So, I say nothing and assume the role of a bored companion as we attempt to blend in with the crowd and prepare to head into the clouds once again, praying that we reach our destination—together.