Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Antonio climbed in next. The guy named Kass followed, sitting across from us and closing the hatch behind him. Once we all were safely buckled in, the pilot gave a thumbs-up through the plexiglass, and we lifted off, straight up, a tight, sickening lurch in my stomach. I braced my palm against the seat to keep my hand from shaking.
The city shrank under us, the skyscrapers of downtown looking like haunted castles as the clouds closed in on the still moonlit skyline. No one spoke the entire hour-long flight. My head swam with all the things I should have asked earlier before I agreed to leave with Antonio.
A red light inside the cabin snapped on and the engine’s pitch changed. The helicopter started to drop. I looked out the window and saw a well-lit flat patch of concrete on top of a rocky shoulder, lined with lights and a windsock. We touched down in one smooth maneuver then stayed seated while the rotors powered down.
A set of heavy steel doors stood at the edge of the pad. They opened to a tunnel, sloping gently down into the rock. I quickly grabbed up my bag. Antonio helped me out of the cabin, steadied me while my legs adjusted to being back on land, then led me toward the tunnel. The air inside was cool and dry, almost with a sterile feel about it. Security cameras nestled in the corners and a touch panel glowed softly in the dim lighting. Kass followed at my back, which meant I couldn’t run even if I wanted to.
The tunnel opened into a space that was half mountain lodge, half Bond villain bunker. Someone had spent some serious fucking money making it look accidental. The walls were wood, but the seams were perfect. The furniture was obviously expensive but understated and vintage-looking. I saw a fireplace built of black stone and a glass coffee table the size of a raft.
A spiral staircase led upstairs to a hallway stretching off to the left to what I assumed were the living areas. If I had to describe the look of the place, I’d put it at modern rustic with state-of-the-art luxuries.
Antonio stopped at the center of the room and let me catch up. He didn’t look at me when he spoke. “You’ll have the top floor. The stairwell is alarmed and there’s a secure phone in your suite. You can use it to call Kass or anyone else on staff. Kitchen’s always stocked. There’s a med room on the first floor. A doctor comes by every other day unless I call him.” He said it like he was reciting a list of guest amenities, but I heard the part he didn’t say. Every layer of this place was designed to keep someone inside and comfortable for a very long time.
Kass peeled off down the hallway, leaving us alone. Antonio waited for me to say something, but my mouth was dry and every muscle in my body buzzed with adrenaline.
“Thanks,” I said, because it was the only thing I could think to say.
He turned to face me. His expression didn’t give anything away. “You’re safe here,” he said. “I’ll protect you with my life, Tessa.”
“I didn’t ask for that. I don’t want anyone’s life in my hands like that.”
“No, you didn’t ask. I’m giving you my protection. That’s not something I give to anyone but family.”
That surprised me, but I didn’t know what to say or what questions to ask yet. I needed some space to think. He watched me a second longer, then walked to the base of the spiral stairs and gestured for me to precede him which I did. On the third step, my foot slipped. He caught my elbow with one hand while his other arm went around my back, holding me against his body to keep me from falling. I stiffened but didn’t push him away. He held me for a second before loosening the embrace slightly, then letting go.
Christ, I was so fucked. So fucking fucked. Being in Antonio’s arms felt better than anything I could have ever possibly imagined. I had no idea if this man meant it when he said he’d keep me safe, but the way I felt with his arms around me made a believer out of me.
I shook off the emotional response. The only way I’d survive this was to keep my wits about me. I couldn’t afford to fall under the spell of Antonio Miles.
At the top of the stairs, a hallway branched off into several doors. He opened the first one and stepped aside so I could enter. The suite inside was bigger than any apartment I’d ever lived in. As he showed me where everything was, I got the general layout. There was a reading nook next to a huge picture window overlooking the valley, a bathroom with a soaking tub, and two bedrooms. Windows on the other side looked straight out at the mountains, the sun sinking behind them in the distance.