Page 60 of Mafia Obsession

Staring at the narrow bedroom, there’s no chair to sit in to get grounded. I have no choice but to slip into the bed. And oh God, it’s ridiculously comfortable.

My body sinks into the mattress before my mind catches up. I tell myself to stay alert. Just for a minute. But against every instinct I have, I fall into a deep sleep.

Chapter 21

Lourdes

Asmall stream of light greets my eyes as I wake, and for a moment, I have no idea where I am. The sheets don’t feel like my cheap scratchy ones. These are soft and smell nice.

Sensing a rumbling beneath me, I bolt up and look to my left at the oval window with the shade pulled down. Not a drafty broken vinyl one behind cheap, thin curtains that bleed in the morning light when all I want is five more minutes of sleep.

It all comes back to me. The events of last night hit me like a slap in the face. David’s betrayal in Ares’s Club. The bounty on my head and the violent men who came to collect me. Ares arriving to rescue me, killing those men, and whisking me away to safety.

And now, I’m on his plane. On my way to Greece.

The cabin beyond the door is quiet. I reach over and lift up the window shade. Past the white glow is an endless view of bright blue.

I sit quietly and look out the window. Past fluffy suspended clouds, blue water sparkles below.

“That’s the Mediterranean,” Ares’s deep voice purrs from the now open pocket door.

He’s in a pair of linen pants and a light blue button-down shirt.

I smooth my hair, aware I need to brush my teeth. “Good morning,” I say. “I think.”

“It’s eight a.m. Santorini time.” He slides his hands into his pockets. “We’ll land in a few hours. There’s coffee and a light breakfast when you’re ready. I have your luggage.”

He produces it from somewhere and leaves it at the foot of the bed.

“Thank you.” I nod and watch the door close again.

I push out of the bed and maneuver my way into the attached bathroom. I study myself in the oval mirror for an extra second before I do anything else. For some reason, my reflection from last night looks different. I don’t lookkidnapped. I don’t look stressed. I look rested.

That unsettles me. I can’t get too comfortable with any of this pampering. My next move is to get to Chicago and be with Sandrine. I find my phone, dying to call her. I need to hear her voice to bring me back down to earth. I just don’t trust my voice will be steady given what’s happened. I might end up upsetting her.

After brushing my teeth, I open my suitcase and look for something comfortable to wear for breakfast with Ares. I opt for a pair of black leggings and a crop top T-shirt.

When I step back into the main cabin, he’s seated again in his forward captain’s chair at the wide granite table. His jacket from last night is draped over the back of the seat.

With the phone to his ear, he’s speaking Greek again. His tone is neutral, the words sharp and precise. No stammering or long pauses. I don’t understand the language, but I understand cadence.

Someone on the other end is being corrected. And I wonder if it has anything to do with me. I’ll have to accept that many tense calls he’ll deal with while we’re away will be about me. I’m the reason he’s here. Away from Zervas & Company. Away from Club Wicked. Away from the Aurelian.

Ares’s gaze flicks toward me without a break in his conversation. A few seconds later, he ends the call.

I sit in the seat across from him, and the attendant from last night appears with a cup of coffee. I smile and say thank you.

“Another for you, sir?” he asks Ares.

“Another?” I say before he answers the attendant.

“I’ve had two already.” He puts down his phone. “And no, William.”

William… Good to know a name. I wonder whereheslept.

“Are you from Santorini?” I ask Ares, then sip the coffee.

“Yes. Originally.” He clears his throat. “I went to university in London. Are you hungry?”