Page 54 of Escape You

In the bathroom, I hopped in the shower before the warm water kicked in. I needed something to clear my head and put my feelings for Mia aside for a few hours. Our lives depended on it. If Rossi found out we were trying to take down his new business venture, he wouldn’t hesitate to put a bullet in both our heads. Grandson or not, he would never forgive treason. I squeezed my eyes shut to chase away the image of Mia getting hurt.

Following Mia’s lead, I donned a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. The weather wasn’t exactly cool, but I grabbed my leather jacket too so we could take my motorcycle. A bit of fresh air would be good for us. After all this time of being under Rossi’s thumb, I was starting to feel a bit stifled.

When I opened the door, Mia stood on the terrace, her hands braced on the cement rail. Earlier, she’d gotten vertigo when she got near the french doors. I still couldn’t believe she was pregnant with our baby. Mom would be ecstatic when she found out. Was that even in the realm of possibilities for us? To have a normal life, where Mia got to meet my parents and brothers? What about her and her family?

Ironically, I was better off being introduced as the devil’s spawn than Agent Cole. It was as Mia had said. Our situation didn’t call for it, but I was happy to be here with her. When she turned to face me, I offered her a smile. She blew off air and pushed off the wall.

“Are we riding?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“In your Chase Rossi clothes, that still sounds kinky.” She laughed.

I glanced down at my jeans and jacket. “These are my clothes. So is the bike. Chase was more of an ethereal type guy, who was all about yoga and shit.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. The FBI didn’t think that his real personality would mesh well with Jac. Since the two met only once when Chase was twelve, the FBI decided to let me be me and win Rossi over my way.”

“They got that right. The old man loves you. He’s proud to have you as his grandson.”

“I know. That makes me feel sick.”

She kissed my cheek. “It will be over soon. Come on. Vic’s already on his way to the hospital.”

“Wait.” I glanced down at her flat belly. Her pregnancy still didn’t feel real to me. “Can you ride, you know?”

“If you say “in your condition” to me, I will divorce you.” Her green gaze shot daggers at me.

“I just meant, is it safe?”

“Are you a shitty rider?”

“No.” I braced my hands on my hips. “I’m a fucking pilot. A motorcycle is nothing.”

“Then, that’s it. Be safe, and don’t get us both killed.” She pushed me toward the door and walked back to the closet. When she returned, she had a leather jacket laced over her arm. “I need to get out of here. Feel free for a goddamn minute, or at least, feel like I’m moving forward.”

“Okay.”

As civilized as Rossi made it all seem, Mia was right. She wasn’t here on vacation, and she sure as hell wasn’t here because she wanted to. She was Rossi’s prisoner. And if I were being honest, she was my prisoner too because if she tried right now, I wouldn’t let her leave on her own. Granted, it was all for the greater good, but I’d given up on this idea that I was on the absolute right side of things. Mia’s reasons for being here also had legitimacy. She was here for her family. For our baby.

I opened the bedroom door and stood back to let her through. With a sigh and a shot over her shoulder, she strode out and down the long hallway toward the grand staircase. Before we reached the landing, I spotted Rossi on his way up. I stalked Mia backward until we reached the side wall. She glanced at me with fire in her eyes, but then she understood. If Rossi was happy with my performance, he wouldn’t think to question our motives for leaving this penthouse.

I gripped her waist and caught her mouth. The sudden change took her by surprise. She shoved at me but then kissed me back. I’d meant for our kiss to be merely a display for Rossi, but her lips were so good I caved in to it, thrusting my tongue past her teeth. I got lost in her scent and her hand inside my shirt.

“Dammit, Tyler. I can’t keep doing this with you.” She pulled me to her.

“Why not? We do it so well.” I grazed my teeth down the cord of her neck.

A chuckle behind us brought me back to my senses. “I’m surprised to see you out of the room so soon.”

“I need air.” I opted for the truth.

He laughed again. A creepy and somehow self-entitled laugh. As if he owned us. “I can see that. Go on for a walk.”

I took Mia’s hand in mine, and she squeezed it tight.Let’s go, I mouthed to her.

She followed behind me, her chest rising and falling. When we got in the elevator, she pulled away from me. “Why do I feel dirty every time that asshole talks to me?”

---