Page 28 of The Tourist

I move to lie beside her on the sofa, holding her close.

“You’re amazing, Chloe. So strong,” I tell her.

She turns to me. “Thank you. I needed that. I didn’t know my body could feel so much pleasure. I’ve only ever experienced pain with intimacy.”

“What we just did was intimacy. What they did to you was not. Never forget that,” I respond, placing a gentle kiss on her lips.

As we lie there, her body pressed against mine, a deeper emotion starts to stir within me. It’s more than just a need to protect her. It’s a genuine affection that’s been growing, slowly but surely, ever since I rescued her. I care about Chloe deeply, more than I’ve allowed myself to admit until now. My feelings are strong. I’ve never felt this way about a woman before.

As the reality of our situation settles in, though, a wave of guilt crashes over me again. I want to be with her, but I feel conflicted. My mind is spinning in a whirlwind of confusion and responsibility. Serena is still out there, somewhere. No matter how I feel about Chloe, I need to stay focused on finding my sister.

“Chloe…” I begin hesitantly. “I need to say something. I care about you, and I want to be there for you. I feel something developing between us. But… I need to focus on finding my sister. Serena needs me. She has to be my priority.”

Chloe nods. “I know. I understand. I don’t expect anything from you. You’ve already helped me more than you know.”

I kiss her forehead. “I’m going to call Eaton. I don’t like to suggest this, but I think it would be better for both of us if you stay with him for the time being. I’ve no way of knowing what the next few months will entail. I can’t be certain I’ll be the same man when I come out the other side. I need to protect you and know you’re safe. Eaton and Shelby can take care of you until you’re ready to go home.”

Chloe looks at me with a mix of sadness and acceptance on her face. “Okay. But promise me you’ll find Serena. And promise me you’ll take care of yourself, and when it’s over, if there’s even a small part of you that is the same as you are right now, then promise you’ll come back to me.”

“I promise you with everything I have,” I declare, my voice firm. “I won’t stop until I find her. And I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

I reach for my phone and dial Eaton’s number. As it rings, I help Chloe to sit up so she can straighten her clothes. I know this is the right decision. The road ahead is uncertain, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect the people I care about.

Glancing down at Chloe, I see a mixture of pain and resilience in her eyes. I realize just how much she means to me, and it only strengthens my resolve. The road ahead is uncertain, but with Chloe’s courage and our shared determination, maybe we’ll have a future together when everything is resolved.

CHAPTER19

Chloe

Moving into Eaton and Shelby's home feels like stepping into a different world. Their house is beautiful, but it lacks the Spanish flair that made Diego's place feel so uniquely him.

With its sleek modern lines and minimalist décor, this house looks pristine and perfect. I’ve never been a perfect person, and I have to admit I’ve always been a bit lazy when it comes to tidying. I’m also a hoarder of stuff, especially books and notebooks, so this house is rather too clean and orderly for me.

Diego told me a bit about Eaton and Shelby’s story. Shelby was brought to Las Vegas by Eaton, who told her that he owned her because her father had murdered his mother. Eventually, they discovered this was a lie and part of an evil plan instigated by Richard Armstrong.

How many lives could one man destroy?

Shelby’s father and mother were both in love with Eaton’s mother, and when Richard Armstrong found out, he killed his wife and Shelby’s father. Long story short, Shelby’s father predicted this might happen and had written a will ensuring all the money he’d accrued from his business dealings was protected and in Shelby’s name.

Thankfully, Eaton and Shelby fell in love, and together, they killed Eaton’s father.

"Welcome, Chloe! We're so glad to have you here," Shelby greets me warmly.

"Thank you," I reply, trying to match her enthusiasm. "I really appreciate you letting me stay."

"Of course!" she exclaims. "Come on. I'll show you to your room."

I follow her down a long hallway, and we pass several rooms before Shelby stops in front of a door and and pushes it open.

"This is yours," she says, stepping back to let me walk inside.

The room is spacious with a large window. The walls are painted a soft cream color, and there’s a queen-sized bed topped with a fluffy white comforter and a purple cushion that adds a splash of color. It’s lovely, but it feels like a hotel room—impersonal and temporary.

My room at Diego’s felt much more like home. I know it seems like I’m being judgmental and ungrateful. I’m not usually like this, and I’m not sure why I am. I guess I’ve become comfortable living at Diego’s.

"I hope you like it," Shelby says, watching me carefully. “If you need anything, we can get it for you. Do you have any pictures or photos? You can hang them on the walls. Make this room your own.”

"It’s beautiful, Shelby. Thank you," I reply, putting my suitcase down on the bed. "Really, it’s perfect as it is."

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