It’s not long before the helicopter starts descending, and I look down and see we’re passing over the North Shore. Soon, we fly over the Harbour Bridge and Waitemata Harbour, and then he approaches Mechanics Bay Heliport, and the helicopter touches down.
We thank him profusely and exit the heli, collect our luggage, and head outside. To my relief, Marcus and Caesar are there waiting for us, and I run up to them and give them a big hug.
“Are you okay?” Marcus asks with concern, taking my face in his hands and searching my eyes.
“I’m fine, stop fussing.” But I smile, because now I understand why he’s been so concerned about me.
“Ella’s going to call everyone who’s not deployed in for a mandatory operational briefing as soon as we get there,” Caesar advises Luke as we get into his car. “We haven’t advised anyone that you and Aurelia are coming back.”
“Good.” Luke’s mouth is set in a firm line. He’s switched into professional mode; I can tell. He slides into the back of the car with me, but he doesn’t take my hand.
I’m not surprised. I know he’s worried about what the guys will say when they find out we’re… what? Having an affair? Dating? I don’t know what to call what we’re doing.
I look out of the window as Caesar eases into the traffic and heads for the Ashford building. On Evermore, everything seemed so clear. Luke and I confessed we were in love with one another. He said he wanted to date me properly, and we even talked about wanting to live near the sea and whether we wanted children. But now it feels like a dream. My stomach flips with unease. Maybe he’s having second thoughts; perhaps seeing Marcus has reminded him he’s going to have to have a conversation if he wants to be with me, and he’s decided it’s going to be too hard.
But then I look across at Luke and see his gaze on me. His eyes are filled with affection. He gives a small smile and winks at me, and a glow spreads through me. I have to calm down and let the day play out. At the moment, it’s impossible to see past what happens when we get to the office. I know he’s laser-focused on catching the guy. I just need to wait until the day’s end.
Caesar pulls into the underground car park, and we get out and go into the elevator. Luke presses the button for the ground floor, and it only takes a few seconds before the doors open again.
“I’m coming with you,” Marcus says.
Luke nods and looks at Caesar. “Can you take Aurelia to the second floor, into the main boardroom? We’ve got cameras up there pointed in that direction, and we can keep an eye on you there.”
“Will do.”
Marcus heads out, but Luke hesitates and looks at me. I swallow hard at the thought that he’s leaving me. I know he has to, and I still have Caesar with me, but I feel a sudden surge of panic at being parted from him.
“This will all be over soon,” he says firmly.
I just nod.
He gives a small smile. “Kia kaha,” he says quietly. It’s Maori for ‘Stay strong.’ Then he goes out, Caesar presses the button for the second floor, and the doors close.
The elevator rises quietly. My heart’s hammering. I hate that I don’t know what’s going on. I’m just going to have to sit and wait for everyone else to sort this out. Powerless again. It seems to be my fate.
“You okay?” Caesar asks.
“I wish everyone would stop asking me that,” I grumble.
He leans against the wall, his hands in his pockets, studying me. “You seem to be getting on well with Luke.”
“Don’t start.”
“I’m not starting anything. I’m making an observation.” He lifts an eyebrow.
I blow out a breath. Then I give him a pleading look. “I really like him,” I say softly. “Don’t be mad.”
He pauses. Then his expression softens. “I’m not mad. He’s a good guy. I don’t know what Marcus is going to say, though.”
“He wouldn’t fire Luke, would he?”
Caesar’s brows draw together as the elevator doors open. “I don’t know. He’s the one who suggested Luke be your CPO. He trusted that he would do everything to keep you safe.”
I follow him out of the elevator. “I guess falling in love with me wasn’t exactly in the job description.”
He stops walking and stares at me. “In love?”
I blush. “Yeah. He said he’s in love with me.”
