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CHAPTER FIVE
Bourne
It didn’t take long for Edric to fill in all the holes in Marco’s story and discover that a contract to kill was issued. We managed to stop and cancel it, but until I found her, the threat to her life was still extremely high. I was staring again at her picture; she took my breath away. She is so beautiful. The alluring Sabina Santoro is twenty-two years old, the same age I was when I met her ten years ago. She attended and graduated at the top of her class from Brown University and returned to Italy only one month ago, and now she’s on the run from her father. Marco is frantic in his quest to get Sabina back in his grasp before Lucas returns home. From what I’ve read in the file, their relationship is good, and I suspect big brother Lucas will lose his mind once he discovers his only sister is missing.
Marco believed she had already evaded him in London, but Edric quickly discovered she was still in the city and on a plane to Rome. I read the file several times, memorizing everything Ineeded to know about Sabina, and then placed it in a drawer and had Kaz book me a ticket to Rome, the same flight Sabina was traveling on.
We were both seated in first class, with mine in the last row where I could watch her, never taking my eyes off the exotic beauty that captivated me from the first moment I viewed her picture. However, I saw a sadness in her eyes, the same sadness I saw and got so drawn into when we first met. A story yet to be told, but I am a determined man who will discover all the secrets she’s been keeping. I have to for my sister’s memory, my father’s suicide, and my thirst for avenging them both. The act of revenge is a complicated matter. It’s been a long six years without my family, and now the key to all my unanswered questions is sitting just a few rows before me.
Once we deplaned, I remained in the shadows unbeknownst to her as she made her way through customs. I kept a safe distance in the long line of travelers making their way out of the terminal. She appeared overwhelmed during the short flight; perhaps too much coffee? I observed her ordering more than two during the beverage service.
She reached her waiting driver and spoke fluent Italian, asking to leave, but he would wait for me per my instructions. She paced back and forth and checked her watch while her eyes roamed the surrounding area. She’s smart; I like that she’s aware. The driver told her precisely what Kaz instructed him to say, and she seemed appeased. I gave it a few extra minutes, then approached the driver and said, “My apologies for my lateness. I am truly sorry for delaying your departure.”
“Not a problem, sir. Do you have any bags?”
“I do not; shall we get on?” I said and then tipped my head toward her, and to test her reaction to me, I winked. I could see the visible evidence run up and down her arms. Perfect, as I suspected. She blushed like the young and impressionablewoman I knew she was. She quickly averted her eyes to the floor. Shyness is another thing I love. We exchanged pleasantries, and then I gestured for her to step up, taking my seat beside her. The driver confirmed the drop-off point, and then I smiled, knowing what I say next would probably freak her out.
“What a coincidence! I’m going that way as well. What hotel are you staying at?” It didn’t take long for the beautiful, blushing Sabina to show me her reaction, and then I heard her soft voice again.
“It’s not a hotel, it’s more of a boarding house. It’s only a quick stop-over for me, but you will love the town.”
“I’m sure I will, but I can’t imagine anything as beautiful as you are, Principessa.” I could not resist another moment of not touching her, so I kissed her trembling hand to my lips. She said nothing more, and we drove on. I indulged in the sheer satisfaction that this would be a lot of fun with the alluring Sabina. She’s afraid. I can see the fear in her eyes, but it’s not from me; no, it has to be Marco. What did that bastard do to her? He will get what is coming to him, I’m sure of it. If it's not me, it will be Lucas to put an end to him once and for all. She will never have to return to that fortress of hell. No, that would not be happening. I knew from the minute I saw her it was just a matter of time before I would be taking her home, just not to hers.
She put her headphones on, effectively blocking me out, which was okay for now. I gazed down at her and silently said,“You will be mine because I say so, and Sabina, you don’t get a vote.”
The drive to the town of Parioli was quiet, with Sabina focused on the window, watching the cars go by. For me, it was enlightening just watching her. I suspected when the driver stopped at the location she gave, it would not be where she would remain. But I wasn’t worried because I already had spotters on us, and once I pulled away, they would continue to track her. Her fingers tightened around the strap of herbackpack, and then she uttered a few words of gratitude to the driver in Italian. I exited first and offered my hand out to her.There goes that blush again!I thought as she accepted it and then said goodbye to me.
I leaned close enough for the sweet Sabina to take a cautionary step back. I was a stranger to her, but not for too much longer. I placed my arm around her waist and pulled her closer to me. She gasped in surprise. It was a bold move and too soon for me to show my hand. Sitting next to her and inhaling her perfume was too tempting for me to take.
“Mi scusi signore, ti suggerisco di tenere le mani per te,” I almost believed her when she scolded me and asked me to keep my hands to myself.No fucking way.
“Oh, sweet Principessa, I know you can understand me whether I speak to you in Italian or my native British, so let’s not play games. Why would I ever consider not touching you when all it does is please me?”
“You don’t even know me, and stop calling me Principessa. How could you say such things?”
“There you go, your English is perfect. And to answer your question, I want to know you better.” Her eyes went as wide as saucers as she couldn’t believe I was giving her the time of day.I know you, Sabina, and maybe not right now, but you will remember who I am and how our connection began.
“What about Principessa? I’m hardly a princess,” she said with her eyes on the sidewalk.
“Oh, but you are, and I’ll have another chance to know you better.” For someone on the run from one of the most feared Italian families in Italy, she’s not making wise choices, and coming to Rome was probably at the top of the list. Edric has gathered that her traveling to London and Rome is part of the shell game her friend Pierre has designed to throw off her father. However, we are the best at what we do, and it wasn’t too hardfor Edric to figure out. Her poor excuse of a disguise is also a wrong choice. She’s wide open here; if she’s not careful, word will spread quickly, and Marco will find her. I will not allow him to get that chance because she will be with me and under my protection in a matter of hours.
“I have to go. It was nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Principessa.” I watched her hurry down the sidewalk and turn the corner, probably to a waiting car taking her to her actual location. I waited a minute in case she returned, but I knew better and then turned to Hans, who we arranged to replace the driver initially hired to pick her up.
“She’s a skittish one,” he remarked. “You’ll handle everything from here?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Thanks for today.” I dialed Edric next, “You have eyes on her?”
“Yup, she’s on the move. She made it about a block from you, and a red-headed girl picked her up.”
“I suspect that’s Lucy, a friend from college. They are probably meeting up with Lucy’s husband, Pierre Goddard.”
“Friends from school who now live and work here.”
“Stay on her and let me know where they end up. I’m going to the apartment to meet up with Kaz. We will brief later.” A minute later, my car pulled up and took me back to the high-rise apartment I kept in the city. I did some daydreaming, just as Sabina did earlier, and I couldn’t stop smiling.
“You have nothing to fear again, Sabina. I will protect you.”
