Page 65 of One Filthy Kiss

“And her food.”

“Sure.”

“And her teddies.”

“I’ll bring all the teddies, I promise.”

I look at Meggie. I don’t want to say goodbye. I don’t want it to sound final, but I don’t know how else to do this without ripping open my chest and offering her my heart to keep safe. What I want to do is pull her into my arms, scrap the plan, and disappear with her and Amber someplace no one will ever think to look.

Right now, the Antarctic sounds like our best option.

So, when Meggie comes to me, stands on tiptoes and kisses me on the lips, I can’t resist wrapping my free arm around her, and pulling her against me. I breathe in the fragrance of her shampoo, the feel of her body against mine, the way she molds herself to me like two halves of an infinity symbol.

I don’t say goodbye.

I release her and walk away with Amberand Demi.

I sense Meggie’s eyes follow us, but I don’t look around. I can’t. If I do, I’ll be the one to ruin this plan before we’ve even entered the first stage, and this isn’t about me. This is about them.

In the elevator, Demi asks Amber about the dog. “Where did you find her?”

“In the rescue center. Gio took us.” Amber is reserved away from her sister, but Demi keeps her talking.

“That’s amazing, Amber. Can I come and see her when she’s at home with you?”

I keep my eyes fixed straight ahead at the elevator’s digital display counting down the levels.

Amber smiles up at the woman pretending to be her sister. “She’s very friendly. I’m going to teach her tricks.”

“You’ll be a great teacher.”

Demi lowers the sunglasses to cover her eyes as we reach the hotel lobby and wait for the door to slide open. She casually takes Amber’s hand.

Then we’re crossing the lobby, and my security team falls into step behind us. The concierge greets me with a “Good evening, Mr. Sabatelli,” and I nod in response.

My car is waiting outside the entrance. The driver climbs out and opens the rear passenger door. I guide Demi and Amber into the back seat with a smile and climb in behind them while Demi fastens Amber’s safety belt.

My team follows us in another vehicle as we join the traffic. I focus on the people inside the car rather than scanning the faces on the sidewalk. Smile. Point out a horse and carriage toAmber as we approach Central Park. FAO Schwarz. The Natural History Museum.

Demi talks about her favorite things to do in New York. She’s got a lot to say when there’s a potential promotion riding on it. There’s no fakery. She’s just playing a role to catch the bad guy.

That’s how I eventually sold it to her.

We’re not simply helping Meggie and Amber escape The Fish. We’re taking down the bad guy and saving the lives of his future victims. And Demi is going to help me do it.

Across the bridge and we’re soon leaving the city behind.

About now, Meggie will be leaving the apartment with Ric. She’ll climb into a vehicle with a fake registration plate, lie down in the rear footwell, and Ric will set off for the rendezvous point.

I try to put myself in her shoes. She’ll be terrified, but she’ll repeat the mantra in her head: We’re doing this for Amber. We’re doing this for Amber.We’re doing this for Amber. I can track Ric’s route across the map with my eyes closed, heading north-west towards Albany.

I refrain from checking in with him on the two-way radio set; the longer we can maintain radio silence the better. Instead, I incline my head towards Amber and listen to her stories about what she has seen from the ferry during her outings with Ric.

We don’t head directly to the airport.

From the Interstate, the driver navigates the traffic and hooks a last-minute left onto the exit route, doubling back towards the city again.

Amber’s head lolls against my shoulder, and within moments, she’s asleep.