“No.” He tilts his head back and closes his eyes.
“That’s it? No?”
He doesn’t reply.
“You need me there.”
When he doesn’t respond, I climb onto his lap, straddling him. His eyes bolt open.
“You need me there. By your side. That’s where I belong. I’m strong enough to withstand any storm, and more than capable of holding my own on the choppy seas.”
Less is always more when dealing with him. I’ve made my best case. Now I wait.
He studies me, his hands resting on my hips. I watch his mind turning, weighing the pros and cons, analyzing the safety issues. When the gold flecks in his eyes shimmer, I know I’ve won.
“You’re more than capable,meu amor. But there will be a high price to pay for your demands.”
Bring it on.
I glance at the privacy screen, before sliding off his lap and easing my knees to the floor.
“What are you doing,Princesa?” From the gravelly sound of his voice, he knows exactly what I’m doing.
I gaze up at him through my lashes. “Paying the piper.”
60
ANTONIO
When my phone vibrates on the nightstand, I untangle my limbs from Daniela’s soft, warm body before reaching for it.
We have the package. Are you prepared to take delivery as planned?
Yes,I text back.
I immediately notify Cristiano and Lucas, who have been camped out downstairs for days, waiting for just this moment.
It’s certainly not a surprise, but still, I lie here for a few minutes, coming to terms with what I’ve set in motion. Am I having second thoughts about killing Tomas? Not a single one. Although his disappearance will not go unnoticed.
With my uncle incapacitated, Tomas runs one of the oldest and most successful Port companies in the world. Premier might not have earned as many accolades as the Huntsman label, but it’s not inconsequential. The disruption will likely hinder productivity this year, which will be felt by everyone. I’ve done everything I can to prepare for this inevitability, but it won’t be enough.
As much as I hate that innocents will suffer, it can’t be helped. If the oligarchs are the ones helping Tomas and we don’t sever the connection, there will be more than just small suffering in the region.
Reluctantly, I climb out of bed and get dressed, leaving the woman who has become my lover, my conscience, my hope for a life I never dreamed possible. Men like me either end up alone, or with a woman we never fully embrace. At best, we find a lovely adornment who makes a good mother for our children.
I don’t know exactly what Daniela and I have, or what it will become once the gravest danger to her is eliminated. But I’m not giving her up. That I do know.
On my way out of the bathroom, I stop to watch myPrincesasleep. While I wasn’t keen on it at first, I’m glad Daniela insisted on staying with me at the lodge. It’s been like the honeymoon we never had, except I’ve had to sneak out at all hours to get some work done while she slept.
I kneel beside the bed and gently brush the hair off her gorgeous face, letting the silky strands caress my fingertips as they fall. While I’ve wanted to satisfy my vengeance for a long time, I’m sorry we didn’t have more time alone before the ground rumbled.
“I need to go,querida.”
“What time is it?” she asks, blinking.
“Time for you to go back to sleep.”
“When will you be home?”