Page 73 of Neverland

Chapter 19

NOW

It was a four-hour journey to our next destination. The supposed threat that came through meant Romeo was to stay with me and get me as far away as possible until the detectives gained the upper hand on Dominic. For my own sanity, they spared me the details about what was said, and I came to accept that as wise. They didn’t need a hysterical woman messing up their plans, because I’d unwittingly done that the night I walked into the penthouse.

Romeo and I traveled together which gave us more time to catch up on eight years lost. We laughed, his witty sense of humor exactly as I remembered it. We held hands the entire way, our flirting occurring so naturally. But during the quiet moments, my mind wandered. As I absently watched the scenery pass by, my thoughts played a montage of the last night I saw Dominic.

How had he survived?

“Before Dominic emerged from the hall…” Romeo began after I asked about it, “… he’d sent a message to Anton instructing him to come up. Outnumbered, he needed backup and it just happened to be perfect timing that when Sol and Charles opened fire, Anton emerged from the lift blasting an AK-47. Needless to say, they made a hasty exit and have been lying low ever since.”

“That guy has nine lives, I swear it.”

Romeo turned and smiled. “The good thing about that is eventually those lives will run out, and if we don’t get him, somebody else will.”

~~~

“This is a safehouse?” I asked, in awe of our supposed destination.

“Not quite,” he smiled. “I mean, it is a safe house. Just not a safehouse.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“It’s a work in progress but I’ll get there.”

My eyes widened, looking from the dream house on the lake and back to Romeo. “This is yours?”

“It’s not my main house, but I get out here whenever I can.”

The sun was starting to rise, the lake glimmering and glistening like a sea of diamonds.

“Come on.” Taking my hand, he led me down the path and around the lake-side of the house. Lifting a pot plant, he retrieved a key and unlocked the door.

“Aren’t you guys trained to be suspicious of… everything?”

“Not in this town. Besides, Mr. Delaney comes in and takes care of the place on a regular basis, so he’s my eyes and ears when I’m not here.”

Still holding my hand, Romeo led me inside, dropped his duffle bag and pulled me into his arms. Having him so close, feeling his hard body against mine, it all felt the way it should. By now, he wore a light stubble on his tanned face, and it not only looked sexy as hell but when he kissed me, it felt divine.

“It’s been a long drive. How’d you like me to run a bath for you?”

“I’d love that.” I smiled coyly. “But only if you’re going to join me.”

Romeo cocked a brow and I bit my lip to stop a giggle. “You read my mind.”

~~~

Leaning against Romeo’s chest, I let him bathe me, the hot water feeling like heaven as it ran over my bare breasts. I moaned and Romeo chuckled, kissing the top of my head.

“Does this feel strange to you?” I asked, lost in delirium.

“What, us?”

“Yes, like this.”

“Not in the slightest, babe.”

I smiled. “I didn’t think so either. It feels so right, it’s scary.”

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