AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chuckling, I could remember dozens of times his advice had nearly gotten us into trouble. “I’m not certain I want to hear this.”
His expression turned serious. “You’re setting yourself up for another fall.”
“No, I’m not. This is a job.”
He waved his hand. “You can call it what you want. Either go all in with this woman or shut it down right now. But if you go all in, just know that if anything happens to her, you’ll end up tearing the world apart exacting revenge on anyone who might possibly be involved. Then you’ll destroy yourself.”
I clenched my jaw, gritting my teeth. While I appreciated his sudden interest in my welfare, I could handle my own shit. “What else?”
“Think about your decision carefully. You’re not the same man you were prior to being captured. You never will be. That pain I see is already starting to eat you alive. That woman might be your salvation. As long as you can handle the price.”
“Like I told you before, stop being a matchmaker.”
“I guess we’ll see. I have some other business to take care of outside the house. I know a place we could have dinner that’s off the beaten track. Only locals know of its existence.”
I thought about his offer. “Maybe.”
“In the meantime, make yourself at home, including inside this room. Everything is secure so you don’t need to worry.” As he stood, walking toward me, I could tell he had a hell of lot more to say. There was an awkwardness between us I hadn’t felt before, even after my rescue. Our lives had taken different paths.
I was on the right side of the law.
He’d shifted to the other.
As he walked out of the room, all I could think about was how thin the line was between them.
CHAPTER12
Isabella
I stared at my reflection, twisting and turning in the light, noticing how it refracted off the long strands. I looked entirely different than any disguise I’d ever worn. While I wasn’t certain it suited me, at least I didn’t fear the cheap wig falling off at the wrong time.
As I took a step away, I smoothed down the material from the dress Jeremy had provided. It was festive, stunning on me when I’d never been prone to wearing bright colors, except when I was pretending to be someone else.
Was this any different? I was still playing a game, only one where we could end up dead. I couldn’t stop trembling from the ordeal in the airport, although being here in a small castle seemed safer than anywhere else in the world. I only hoped it really was.
I’d found makeup belonging to the woman who lived here, helping myself. I’d felt filthy from everything we’d endured, spending a full half hour to scrub my skin until it felt raw. At least tonight I could be one of the women in the three different passports. Jeremy had chosen Margarita.
Satisfied, I wanted another glass of wine and a few minutes outside even if it was chilly. I didn’t care. Fresh air would do me some good. I returned to the bedroom, marveling at the beautifully crafted furniture meant for a queen. Sofia had incredible tastes in clothing and furniture. Yet I felt like an intruder rifling through her things.
Pretend.
As I walked out of the room, I reminded myself that’s all I was doing over and over again. Maybe that would help me stay rational. If there was such a thing.
I headed down the stairs, hearing nothing at first. I could swear there was music coming from somewhere in the house. I followed the trail through the kitchen, refreshing my wine before continuing my exploration of the house.
Then I noticed Cobra standing in the doorway in the living room, staring out at the ocean. He’d showered and changed, now wearing trousers and a long-sleeved shirt. For a rough man, he looked elegant, but the soft material was unable to hide his muscular physique. The music fit the moment perfectly, the acoustic guitar creating a reflective mood. As I took another step, my nipples shifted back and forth across the thin material of the dress, creating wave after wave of desire.
The man had no idea how gorgeous he was. He also had no understanding of what he meant to me. The kiss on the airplane had been full of passion, the jolt of strength I’d gotten from just being in his arms allowing me peace. But the moment didn’t last as this one wouldn’t either. We were in a glass house waiting for pebbles to be thrown, the actions shattering both our lives.
I stood where I was for a full minute admiring the man. I’d cleaned the blood from his face on the plane, insisting on doing it for him. He’d never blinked once when I was wiping the substance away, the heat of his body more combustible than ever before. It had been a strange, almost intimate moment, a further acknowledgment of the danger we were in.
As I walked closer, he tensed, slowly turning in my direction. I’d seen several expressions on his face during the last few days from fury to frustration, concern to desire. The look he gave me was indescribable.
He allowed his gaze to fall very slowly all the way down to the shoes I’d been provided, taking several ragged breaths as he returned his eyes to mine.
I couldn’t tell whether he was pleased or angry with my choices. I flicked a long strand, suddenly embarrassed even though I had no reason to be. “Red.”
“Different.”
