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“How is Bexli, darling?” my mum asked when my dad passed the phone to her.
“It’s difficult to say. On the surface, quite well. Beneath it, I have no idea.” I told her how she’d taken the exam in order to interview for a position with MI5 and the high marks she achieved. “She’s a natural,” I said, laughing as I repeated what I’d said to Bex when I reminded her how she’d always been the first to figure out the murderer’s identity when we watched mysteries on television as kids.
“Your father and I have talked many times about how well-suited the two of you are. We knew one day you’d both realize it too.”
“One thing we cannot do is get ahead of ourselves. We have many things to sort through, not the least of which is my convincing her to leave the UK and travel to the island for an indefinite period of time right as she’s about to interview for a job she wants very much.”
“I’m sure she’ll understand you’re doing it solely for her safety.”
My mother’s words resonated with me but for the wrong reasons. “She’ll understand whyyou’redoing it,” she’d said.
If I were to approach relocating to the island in such a way, it would not go over well. Itshouldn’tgo over well. Bex needed to be the one to make the decisions about what she wanted to do, where she wanted to go, and how she wanted to live her life. I could tell her what I wanted for myself, even suggest to her shemaystill be in danger from Mithras’ associates, but other than offering suggestions or options, I’d need to step aside and honor whatever she decided.
After telling me she loved me, my mum handed the phone back to my dad, who said he’d already begun the process of adding the security I requested. I told him I’d let him know if and when we were ready to depart. Our call ended with him reiterating that he and my mother would do anything in their power to help.
The disparity between my family life and Bexli’s had been evident when we were growing up, but was made more so the night I encountered her father and brother at the pub. While I’d had too much to drink, it hadn’t clouded my memory of the horrible things Paul Fowler said about his own daughter. It sickened me to think about it.
With a sigh, I checked my email to see if I’d received anything new from Nemesis at the same time the pilot announced we’d be landing soon.
Once on the ground,a helicopter arrived to transport me the rest of the way to Whittaker Abbey. Thirty minutes later, we landed on the estate’s helipad. Shiver was waiting close by in an SUV. Given it was just after twenty-three hundred hours, I hadn’t expected him to be.
“I cannot thank you enough for giving me a lift and allowing Bexli to stay here,” I said after shaking his hand and asking after his wife and children.
“As Z says, we’re all one big happy family. Seeing as his daughter is married to my brother and my sister is married to his son, I suppose it’s especially true of him. However, I view it in the spirit he meant it. Thus, you, Bexli, and your cohorts are welcome here any time.”
When we pulled up to Dorchester House, the door opened and Bexli stepped out onto the front step.
“It makes it all worthwhile, doesn’t it?” Shiver motioned to her.
“It certainly does.” I’d loved Bex for twenty-two of the thirty years of my life and knew I’d love her every day for the rest of it. Each time we were apart, I had no doubt I’d feel the same way I did now when I returned home to her—if she’d have me.
I met Bexli on the step and gathered her in my arms.
“Thank God you’re back,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around my neck.
I smiled. “Thank God you’re here waiting for me.”
31
BEXLI
“Ihave so many questions. I don’t know where to begin,” I said as Cayman and I walked to Dorchester House, where I was staying with Wren.
“Yes, we have much to talk about.”
“Should I be worried?”
He shook his head. “I don’t believe so.” Cayman put his arm around my shoulders and squeezed. “Shortly before he was shot, Mithras, err, Moretti—”
“I know who you mean, Cay.”
“Right. Anyway, he taunted me, saying that, as he spoke, his associates were transporting you to Gozo. I knew he was bluffing. However, as precious as you are to me, I knew the only way I’d feel better would be to see you with my own eyes. Fortunately, Z and Nem anticipated that would be the case and sent me on my way.”
I smiled. “Lucky for me. So, um, are you staying here tonight?”
“Do you think Wren would mind?”
“I think she’d mind more if you didn’t.”
