“Does he know everything?” I ask Niko in a low tone.
Niko nods.
“Guys, no need to talk in code.” Holland laughs. She really has no idea. “I have to tell you, Alexander is not happy at the wild goose chase you sent him on. The air turned blue when I called to tell him you were on your way to Scotland.”
Niko wanted him out of the way—he wanted to be sure I couldn’t speak to him.
I pivot slowly. “You devious…”
“Hey, the kids are heading back,” Holland interjects. “So does someone want to tell me if I’m an accomplice or a getaway driver?”
31
Van
Avoiding Alexander was a precaution against interference. I didn’t tell him the whole story—or the whole story as Isla knows it—but I told him enough. I needed him sufficiently spooked enough not to be in Scotland when we arrived for Isla’s belongings, her passport, and her boys. Once I was sure he was already on the way to London, I called and told him I was eloping with his sister, then had the signal to Isla’s phone blocked.
It's not the way I usually treat my friends but needs must. We can iron out the issues later after I’ve won Isla’s love. While not a religious man, I find myself sending please, God, heavenward.
“What am I supposed to tell them?” Isla’s fierce whisper brings me back from my thoughts. Her gaze slides from mine, narrowing on the pair as though they might be feigning sleep. If they are, Hugh is an excellent fake snorer and Archie mustn’t mind people thinking he sucks his thumb.
Arranging to bring the boys had been another strategic move for the most part. I knew Isla would be much happier to have them with her. I’d also thought she’d be less likely to fight the idea of us for a nine-hour flight with an audience. When the audience included the two most important people in her world, there was a every chance she might even bring herself to be nice to me. What I hadn’t bargained on was both boys falling asleep within an hour of take off, leaving us back where we started.
“Tell them they’re about to spend a week by the pool instead of the classroom.” And I’ll tell you how to win friends and influence children. I wanted them here for her, for our wedding. I fully intend on asking them for their blessing, not that she needs to know that right now. If I’m lucky, having them at the ceremony might help legitimize the union in Isla’s eyes. “I’m sure you’ll hear no complaints.”
“Don’t get cute with me.”
“I can’t help it.” I stretch out my legs and settle my hands in my lap. “I think it might be in my DNA.”
“The cunning kind of cute.” She harrumphs, jerking back in her chair.
“You’re right, of course. You’re the one that’s just too adorable for words.”
“Yes, I feel adorable,” she replies, throwing sharp daggers my way. “Van, seriously, what am I supposed to tell my children about us?”
I stifle a sigh at her use of my name. “I’m sure you’ll think of something,” I reply, stiff jawed.
“Stop being so bloody obtuse.” God, that mixture of desire and malevolence in her gaze is such a fucking turn on. If only she knew the power she wields over me.
“Tell them I’m mad about you. That I can’t live without you.”
“Be serious.”
I am being serious. More serious about anything than I’ve ever been. But this isn’t time to make a clean breast of it. She wouldn’t accept my overtures in the bedroom, refusing to discuss the possibility of a future together at every turn. This is what she left me with. It’s a path from which I won’t turn.
“Tell them I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy.” Forever, I silently add, because that’s how long I’m keeping you.
“I can’t believe we’re doing this.” Tipping forward, she presses her face into her hands. “I can’t believe you’re making me do this,” she quietly explodes, her head coming up sharp again.
“I prefer the first version. You do have freewill.” Or the illusion of it.
Her answer is a growl.
“If you want to blame anyone, it should be your ex. He sold you out. He brought you to the attention of a very dangerous man. I’m just doing what I can to protect you.” Truth and lies, given the dangerous man is me.
“And out of the frying pan into the fire I go!”
I bite back my smile. How close you come! “To jump is your choice, milaya.”
“My savior,” she snipes.
“I’m not your jailer.” Just your manipulator. The man who’d take advantage of any situation to show you how good we could be together.
“I don’t pretend to understand any of it.”
Yet, my darling. You don’t understand yet. Which is probably just as well.