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“You’re scaring me, Apollo.”
My voice trembles and my eyes fill with tears, and he brushes them away and whispers, “I know, baby. I don’t mean to, but you must be prepared for where I’m taking you.”
“But it won’t be for long, will it?”
I sound hopeful and his expression doesn’t match his words as he whispers, “No. A few days, hopefully.”
“And you’ll stay with me?” I really need that reassurance and my heart crashes and burns when he says with a sad expression, “As long as I can.”
He pulls me close and buries his face in my hair, and it does nothing to reassure me at all. It’s as if everything has changed between us and I’m unsure why. This trip has meaning, it’s obvious, but I’m not sure if I’m here to support him while he does business, or it’s more than that. The pitying expressions of the flight crew mock me as everything burns to dust around my feet. My wild adventure has just plunged into darkness, and something is telling me it’s only going to get darker.
We pull up beside a huge boat in the marina and I swallow hard. Now I know why Apollo told me. He was preparing me for something I have only seen in the movies.
The black super yacht gleams like a heat-seeking missile against the turquoise water and the menace surrounding it leaves me in no doubt who owns it.
The Mafia.
The men are dressed in black with dark shades covering their eyes. Are they staring at me – undoubtedly so?
We are searched before we step foot on board and yet I note the reverence with which they address Apollo and I wonder about his involvement with them.
A steward dressed in white is at odds with the guards and he shows us to a table surrounded by cushioned seating, set under a canopy to keep the bright sunlight out.
“You okay, darlin’?” Apollo squeezes my hand and I glance around me nervously.
“I’m fine.”
I smile bravely and he whispers, “That’s my girl.”
Why does that send a shiver down my spine?
His girl. If only I believed him.
We set sail, or at least the engines start the boat moving, as sail is the last thing we’re doing. As the boat cuts through the crystal water, I would ordinarily be ecstatic with excitement. Now I’m dreading what’s coming and sip my soda with increasing doubt. Apollo appears lost in his thoughts as he leans back and closes his eyes. This isn’t what I was expecting at all, and I already sense he is withdrawing from me.
I am so nervous, but I can’t explain why, and the time stretches into oblivion as we make the journey, more as strangers than would be lovers.
I stare at the island that arises majestically from the ocean and squint to get a better look. It’s truly beautiful and I feel a stirring of excitement inside as I picture what staying here could mean for me. This is an adventure I really should have refused because I am further from my safe world than I have ever been before.
As we pull up alongside a jetty, I watch with interest as the guards jump off and secure the boat. They are joined by more of them and as welcomes go, this is the scariest one of my life.
Apollo reaches for my hand and sighs heavily.
“Come on, baby. Let’s get this over with.”
As we head onto dry land, I note the swaying palm trees and the sunlight catch the chrome of the boat. Something is telling me this island holds secrets that I may not want to discover. It’s as if my life will never be the same again and as we head toward the main house, I stare in wonder at a palace of the sea. It’s beautiful.
As we get nearer, I make out three figures watching us and Apollo whispers, “Don Vieri and his wife and, by the looks of it, their granddaughter Serena.”
Why does that name sound familiar?
As we approach, my heart is beating so fast they must surely hear it. I know this is no ordinary visit. It’s as if a storm is coming and I’m at the center of it, and I wonder if Apollo will be able to protect me this time.
CHAPTER 23
APOLLO
My heart sinks when I see the welcoming committee. Even though I love coming here, I feel bad about it this time. I am used to dealing with people who know the score. They live this life and exist in my world. Melissa does not. Now, because of her brother’s misguided plans, she is in danger, and I’m the bastard who brought her to hell.
