“Nope,” she answers with a sigh and reaches for a vine with some plump red tomatoes. “This is my second time coming here. It’s not a place we visit often which is quite unfortunate. I always think it’s a crime to allow beauty like this to go to waste. But I get why Tristan wants to keep it that way.”
I want to ask her where we are but hold off. I haven’t been told that information yet, and if anyone should tell me it’s the boss himself. Not Candace. I don’t want to use my first taste of freedom as a means to get information, especially useless information.
I’ve decided that I’m not going to try to escape. There’s no point thinking I can do it the way I thought I could. I haven’t decided to relax and think things will be okay because I still need to be careful. I do know though that the only way I’ll leave this island is if I play nice and get from one day to the next. That’s the plan right now, and I’ll play everything else by ear.
“Is it true that no one can find it?” I am curious about that.
Candace nods and smiles. “That is true. I know it sounds farfetched, but these guys have a way of doing all sorts of things. An island no one can find is just one of them. Tristan and Dominic are alike in those ways.”
“Dominic?” I guess that must be Tristan’s brother, but that’s the first time I’ve heard his name.
Candace’s cheeks flush. “Yeah. Tristan’s brother.” She realizes I haven’t heard his name spoken before either, but she doesn’t look worried like it was supposed to be a secret.
She reaches for the herbs and other seasonings and starts adding it to the minced beef.
“I can make the béchamel sauce,” I offer. I used to watch my mother making hers. she added herbs to her mixture.
“Cool. Sounds like we have a plan.”
I make the sauce and help her with the salad. We start talking about cooking and it’s nice to be able to talk to another woman. We’re so lost in conversation that neither of us see Dominic approach until he’s practically next to us. Next to me, and he’s holding out a phone for me to take.
“Hi, Tristan wanted you to speak to Sacha when he felt better,” he says to me and my heart leaps at the thought of speaking to Sacha. “He’s better.”
“Oh, my goodness, thank you,” I breathe taking the phone.
“You can go out there and speak to him in private if you like.” He points out to the back garden.
“Thank you,” I say and head outside.
I press the phone to my ear and emotion takes me. I can’t believe the last time I saw Sacha I promised him I wouldn’t do anything foolish. Look what happened after.
“Sacha,” I say into the phone. I hear him draw in a breath.
“My dear Isabella,” he replies in a weak voice.
It’s so good to hear his voice. I didn’t realize just how much I missed him until I feared I’d never see him again. This is the longest I’ve ever been without him and the furthest I’ve ever been.
“I’m so sorry Sacha. I’m sorry. This is all my fault. What’s happened is all my fault.”
“No,” he says. “Never blame yourself. It’s your father’s fault. I can’t even sugar coat it for you like I used to. We’re in a situation where everyone feels like the bad guy. But … there’s just one devil and that’s him. He’s the reason why this is happening.”
I’ve never heard him speak like that against my father.
“What do we do now?” I know the answer to that is not in his hands. It’s not for him to decide.
“My dear I don’t know. We just go along with what they’re saying and hope for the best. I’m still with them, but I suspect it’s not out of captivity. More for protection. If your father sees me again, I’m dead.”
My breath catches. This is just one big mess, but I’m slowly seeing glimpses of the real man under the harsh exterior Tristan D’Agostino shows the world.
He said he’d make sure Sacha wasn’t harmed. This is what he did. He’s keeping him safe. For me.
“I’m sorry Sacha,” I say holding the phone closer.
“No more apologies, moya lyubov'. I pray I see you again soon. You told me I was like a father to you. I never got the chance to tell you you’ve always felt like a daughter to me. I’m sorry for the grief and the pain. I wish I could have done different things for you. I wish I could have given you a nicer life. A life where you could be happy.”
“Oh Sacha, I’m so grateful for you. Thank you for wishing that for me.” I don’t have anyone else who would love me like that.
“I feel we’ll have to go through much before we next see each other. I know your father. I know what he’s like. The guards think you escaped, but I think he knows you were taken too. Just like me. I knew you wouldn’t escape and put me at risk. He knows that.”