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He smiles, and it sends a cascade of tingles down my spine. “Well, you already helped me find Nate, and now that the word is out, I need you to keep me well hidden from the public eye.”
“I don’t know, Sebastian. I don’t like this idea. If they’re after you, they’ll find you.”
Sebastian moves his body away from mine slowly, like he’s testing the waters for how close he can get to me without biting. Little does he know I’m the shark in this scenario, not him, and I might just bite him.
I blush. That sounded better in my head.
When we step outside, I see two policemen nearby. At least I think they are. I step up to them, explaining my situation about wanting to go home.
There’s a major communication issue, and Sebastian squeezes his arm around my waist and laughs.
He speaks something in Chinese.
My eyes widen. He knows Chinese? What else does this man know?
“No, I need to get home. Maybe once I talk to my father we can get this whole situation cleared,” I tell the two men who smile at me.
Sebastian says more words to them, and the two men walk away. He spins around on me when they’re out of earshot. “Oh, you’re going to pay for that.”
“Pay how?”
Sebastian stares at me like he can’t believe the audacity I just had trying to free myself. I kind of can’t believe it either.
“Just wait.” He wraps his long fingers around my wrist as he steps me closer to his car.
Jeremy opens our door, and I slide into the backseat.
“Home,” Sebastian says to Jeremy, before climbing into the front seat away from me.
Jeremy pulls away from the curb and makes his way through the city. The car is silent and I’m too afraid to even breathe.
Too many thoughts flood my brain. Nate telling me Sebastian is ripping off the Four Families. Sebastian trying to clear his name. I don’t know what to think right now. This situation is too confusing, and the jet lag is numbing my mind.
All I know is it would be easier to help Sebastian back at home with the assistance of my father. I watch the city pass me by, wondering if I can get a hold of my father. Wondering how long until someone comes to hunt down Sebastian and kills me too. I’m not trying to be some sort of collateral damage.
Suddenly I’m terrified of being here. I want to go home.
“Mia, do you understand what is going on?” Sebastian says, once we’re back at his place and Jeremy is no longer with us.
We stand in his living room, and I avoid looking him directly in the eyes.
I shake my head. “You’ve kidnapped me to use me?”
Sebastian doesn’t answer, but steps closer, his blue eyes studying me.
My heart races. I never get nervous in the presence of a man, ever. Usually, I’m the one making men nervous. But here I am, practically shaking in my wedges.
“Mia, let’s compromise. What you need to understand is someone is trying to kill you. If Bishop Blackstone finds out where you are, he’ll pick you up and then you’ll be in some serious trouble.”
I swallow.
Sebastian steps closer. “Do you understand that?”
I nod.
“Now, I’m protecting you from him. I’m keeping you safe.”
I blink.
“If you were to alert anyone to your position, it would alert Bishop. Understand?”
“Yes.” My voice is so tiny, so weak. “Yes,” I say again, stronger this time.
“We’re helping each other here.”
“How?”
“I protect you.” He steps even closer, his body almost flush with mine. “And you help me.”
“Did you do it?” I ask, my bravery coming back in waves.
“Do you think I did?” His piercing eyes study me as I don’t answer.
“Does it matter?” I ask with a shrug. There’s no escape for me, so there’s no point in even caring if he’s guilty or innocent.
Either way, I’m here, helping.
“No, it doesn’t.” He moves away from me and guilt slams into me because he looks disappointed by my answer. “Get ready. We leave in an hour for the bank. Wear jeans.”
“Where is Shenzhen?”
“About thirty miles from here. We’ll hit the bank and depending on what we find, we’ll look for Oliver.”
“In Italy?” I can’t traipse all over the world.
“Yes, in Italy.” Sebastian acts like it’s no big deal to drag me around the globe with him.
“Don’t you think if you step one foot in Italy the Four Families will know?”
Sebastian shrugs and I note the carefree way he smiles. “I don’t plan on being detected.”
I move away from Sebastian. “I need to shower.” Actually, I just need to distance myself from this man. He’s been my father’s friend for so long, and it’s weird to be alone with him. To stare at him and have him stare at me.
I step into the bathroom and pad across the marble floor to turn the knob to the shower. Steam fills the room while I undress. I step under the spray and lean my head back, letting the hot water pour over my hair.
