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CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
PERSEPHONE
Making a face, I pull back from the painting and study it. It’s a simple still life, just oranges and apples on a silver tray. It’s supposedly one of Manet’s lesser known it works. Pressing my lips, I tilt my head.
I’m done, or nearly done anyway. The work I’ve chosen is not a knock off exactly so much as it is a work that never truly existed. It’s one of a series of a still life that and then they did, but he never did quite so many copies.
Backing up a few feet, I move side to side, making sure that my work is impeccable and above questioning. I have to say, I love working in this particular style and although the entire job stressed me out as much as possible, I’m pretty pleased with the results.
Putting my brushes down, I slipped off my work apron and hang it on the back of a chair. The stack of forged documents is on the table beside me, the ink dried and ready to be utilized.
Stepping away from the workspace, I am finally able to breathe easily. Everything that I set out to accomplish has been done. We won’t need to hide out here much longer. I moved towards the door to the studio.
From the light, I would guess it is early afternoon. Hades and I have a doctor’s appointment today that I absolutely can’t miss. I hurry through a quick wash of my face and hands, reading myself at the last traces of my hard work.
When I come out of the bedroom, I hear Haiti is raised voice, Speaking somewhere far off. I raise a brow and tiptoe toward his voice.
Sucking in a breath, I listen outside the apartment door. I know that I shouldn’t be listening in on anything that Hades doesn’t want me to hear. But I can’t help it. He has been so tense and jumpy today that I’m practically going crazy.
They blew up a car not far from here, he whispers into his phone. I don’t believe that bullshit the news is circulating about Islamic terrorists. A car bombing within two blocks of my location is a coincidence, and I don’t believe in coincidences.
My heart starts hammering. I lean close to the three inch gap, trying to see him through it. He stands on the topmost stare, his posture indicating anger. He points his finger when he speaks, so obviously the other person can’t see him.
“We’re supposed to go for a visit to see her obstetrician today. So double the security team and lock down any kind of public transport that ye can.” He listens for a moment. “Do it now. We’re leaving at any moment.”
I barely have time to back away from the door before he whirls, hanging up the phone and heading back into the apartment. I manage to backtrack to the kitchen and look at him with wide eyes when he comes stocking in.
“Why aren’t ye ready?” he asks.
I looked down at my outfit, blushing. “I am. Or at least, I think I am.”
Hades glances at my feet pointedly. “Ye need shoes. And a jacket. And the sunglasses and hat from the other day. I want to take all the precautions necessary to ensure that no one recognizes us.”
Blowing out a breath, I head over to where I ditched my shoes in the living room. It’s the work of a moment to slip into them and grab my jacket, sunglasses, and hat. I whirl around, presenting myself for inspection.
“Yes?” I prompt.
Hades sighs, his gaze flitting over to the door. His mouth turns down at the corners and he swallows. God, he looks so tense.
“Are we sure that ye have to go to the doctor? Why can’t the doctor come to us?
I give him a puzzled frown. “We talked about this already. There is sensitive medical equipment that can’t be moved that is in the doctor’s office. I don’t know about you, but I sure would like to see our daughter and make sure she is growing sufficiently.”
He sighs again, this time silently. “As ye will, lass.”
“Is there something I should know about? A specific threat?”
His eyes tighten on me for a split second. Then he just shakes his head. “No. There’s nothing to worry about. I just want to keep ye safe.”
I can’t say that I appreciate him lying to me. But maybe there is more to the situation then I can understand.
I hurry into my coat and let him usher me out the door.
When I hurry down the stairs, I see a big black SUV waiting at the curb. Hades steers me over to the car and a slide in the backseat, feeling my apprehension growing. There are two dark suited men in dark sunglasses in the front seat and I smiled tensely at them as hideous climbs in the car beside me. Neither man says a word to me but hideous commands them as he shuts the door.
“Go,” he shouts.
He looks at me as we pull out of the parking space. “Seatbelt, please.”
