AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Beside me, Alize is holding on to my forearm for dear life. She cranes her head to look up at Ben, who appraises her with passive indifference. I find myself watching his expression—and the expression of the other soldiers around us—to make sure they aren’t even thinking of her in a way I don’t like.
It won’t end well for anyone who disrespects Alize.
“Miss Moreau will be my guest for this trip,” I tell Ben. Alize bristles beside me, but she smiles. “She’s a part of our family now, and I expect her to be treated as such.”
Ben tips an imaginary hat in Alize’s direction, lowering his head. “Of course. Welcome to the Empire, missus.”
Alize thanks him a little awkwardly, and Ben escorts us to one of the waiting vehicles. At the helm is Eduardo, another high-ranking Empire soldier. My father sent his best to retrieve us, which is what I expected.
I’m not fooled into thinking it’s for our safety. No, my father sent his best to ensure I don’t deviate from his plan.
When I get back to the penthouse, Alize will go into the care ofmysecurity detail. Over the years, I’ve built up my own goodwill with a few of the soldiers. As “trustworthy” as Ben and Eduardo are, if I must leave Alize in the company of anyone, it wouldn’t be people who feel so indebted to my father.
On some level, I’ve been prepared for a separation from him for a while.
“Why so many cars?” Alize asks when we’re on the road. There are a total of five identical vehicles in the convoy.
My arm is around her waist, and she’s cuddled into me like she’s holding on for dear life. I quite like it. “So that if we’re being targeted nobody knows which car we’re actually in.”
Her hazel eyes turn into saucers. “I thought they only did that for like, the president, and stuff.”
I chuckle. “I guess I’m like the president here.”
I watch her mull over my words. There’s no way for me to properly explain it all until she sees it for herself. Hopefully, after a few days she’ll realise why I considered Saint Frederic University such a haven.
My real life is a shitshow.
An errant thought burrows its way into my thoughts. What if Alize doesn’t like my life? What if she hates it and no longer wants to spend the rest of hers with me? I banish the thought as quickly as it appears.
Alize is mine.
This will never end until I say it does. And as I sit looking at her peering out the window, her hazel eyes glittering with delight as she looks at the English countryside, I’m reminded that I never want this to end.
I love this girl.
“I don’t know why, but I didn’t expect England to be this…bright,” she mutters, leaning over my lap to get closer to the window.
I run a hand along her back, settling my palm flat against her waist. “What do you mean?”
“It always seems so dreary on television and the way it’s described in books. Especially in the winter.”
Looking out the window, I try to imagine seeing the scenery for the first time.
“It usually is,” I say. “Winters are wet and cold. The weather’s good today.”
She hums a response but doesn’t say anything further. I’ve seen all this a million times before, so I turn my attention to something much more beautiful and interesting—her.
Her brow furrows, and I expect another question about the weather.
“Are there any rules?” Her eyes meet mine in a question. “Like, rules for your house.”
There’s the hint of fear in her expression, like it’s finally dawning on her she’s literally walking into the lion’s den. I nod slowly, turning my attention beyond us to the two men sitting up front.
I click a button on the console beside me, raising the privacy screen that separates the cabin. Alize watches the frosted glass raise curiously. With the screen in place, it’s just the two of us.
The less Ben knows the better.
“Don’t talk to my father unless I’m with you,” I begin. She’s watching me with rapt attention, obviously holding on to every word I say. I’m grateful for it, as the last thing I need is her inadvertently putting herself in danger somehow. “When we get to the apartment, I’ll introduce you to the soldiers you can trust in case anything happens.”
