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“Not always. But back to my question, Kensington, is there something on your mind you’d like to discuss with me?”
I looked down at my feet, thinking that I was going to need a new pair of running shoes soon. “I feel like I’m in limbo.”
“I understand. When can you get back to a life that feels more normal?”
“I’m not sure I know what that even means. Not since Gran Bea died. It’s just that I’ve never been someone who needed round-the-clock security. My grandmother did, and it was second nature to her.”
He was quiet, thoughtful, and I appreciated that he wouldn’t give me an off-the-cuff answer.
“I wish I could read your mind right now.”
Cortez smiled. “I am conflicted.”
Not what I expected. “Why?”
“I very much like having you here.”
I felt my cheeks flush. “I like being here.”
“But you wish you could have more freedom.”
“Doesn’t everyone desire to go for a walk alone?” I picked my foot up from the floor and rotated my ankle. “Or buy new running shoes when they need them?”
“We will take care of as many of your desires as we are able to. Some will be easier than others.”
The one question I wanted to ask, I couldn’t bring myself to. I was too afraid of his answer.
Cortez took my hand and pulled me to my feet. He put his arms around me and stared into my eyes. “I want you to be here with me because it’s where you want to be, not because you have to be.”
“That’s what I want as well.”
“Know that I am doing everything i
n my power to make that happen.”
20
Rile
By the end of January, I knew Kensington was restless. No matter how hard she tried to hide it from everyone else, she couldn’t possibly hide it from me.
I had taken her to the same bistro for her birthday where I took her on Christmas Eve. When I told her to make a wish and blow out the candles, she gave me an idea I’d been painstakingly working to make happen.
As far as the von Habsburgs, I was frustrated by the lack of information regarding Otto’s recovery since I was certain that questioning him about his attack would lead to a revelation about why his cousin seemed obsessed with Kensington.
The diplomatic immunity Konstantine enjoyed meant law enforcement was unable to hold him after an arrest. Within hours, he was a free man.
As was so often the case, it then fell upon those same authorities to keep the victim—in this case, Kensington—a virtual prisoner in order to keep them safe.
I hoped the surprise I had planned for her would raise her spirits. It took a tremendous amount of planning, including making arrangements with my father to use his plane, given the distance I intended to travel.
Prior to that, it took a lot of convincing—and more than a lot of money—to make sure we had the entire island to ourselves.
With everything now in place, we were slated to leave on the first of February. All that was left to do was inform Kensington.
I found her sitting by the infinity pool, reading a book. When she set it in her lap and looked up at me, I leaned down and kissed her.
“There’s something on your mind,” she said, winking.
