Page 97 of Betrayed in the Dark
I pull the car over to the side of the road and park.
“Where are we?” she asks.
“Do you trust me?”
“Of course.”
There’s no hesitation in her answer.
Only resounding confidence.
And it sends warmth through my chest.
After getting out of the car, I grab her hand and lead her around a building where we’re met with a view of—
“Oh my God.” Madeleine’s eyes widen. “It’s the London Eye.” She swallows hard, her eyes never leaving the attraction. “Are we… Are we going on that?”
“You better believe it.” I pull her along with me, wrapping an arm over her shoulder as we approach the ticket office. A moment later, we’re next in line, waiting for an available capsule. I look at Madeleine and find her quietly nibbling on her thumbnail as she peers up to the top of the structure.
It’s an old habit she’s had since childhood—one that always signaled her nervousness or fear.
I nudge her shoulder. “Don’t tell me you’re scared of heights?”
She drops her hand and juts her chin out, holding her head high as she carries herself like royalty. “I’m not scared of anything.”
There’s a slight pull at one side of my lips as I say, “All right then.” A capsule stops before us, and the man opens the door. I gesture with my arm, letting Madeleine go first. “Prove it.”
She purses her lips and takes a few confident steps toward our awaiting pod, but the minute she places one foot inside, she turns toward me and grips my shirt.
“You won’t let anything happen to me, right?” she asks, her voice growing soft.
My brows furrow as I grasp her chin between my fingers. “I would never let anything happen to you.” Relief floats over her bright blue eyes. “But if you don’t want to do this, we don’t have to.”
She shakes her head, a smile tugging at her lips. “No. I mean, I came all this way. I might as well give it a try.”
I lean forward, brushing my lips over her ear. “That’s my girl.”
A soft blush spreads over her cheeks as she turns and steps into the capsule, walking to the other end, where she places both hands against the glass and gazes out at the view. After thanking the attendant and giving him a few bills for some extra time at the top, I follow behind her, entering the warm space. The door closes, locking us in together.
She doesn’t notice as I scope out the discreet camera in the corner.
And she definitely doesn’t notice as I reach inside my pocket and pull out a small roll of duct tape to cover the lens.
No, she’s too lost in the beauty that is London.
“How long does it take to go fully around?” she asks, still mesmerized by everything before her.
“About thirty minutes.”
I catch her smiling in the reflection. “I bet you take all the girls here.”
I come up behind her, letting my hands skim over the fabric of her coat. I rest my palms against her stomach, wishing there was no material between us. The opening of my jacket drapes around her as I rest my chin on the top of her head.
“What girls?”
“The ones who’ve kept you company over the years. Probably fallen head over heels for your sexy accent and charm, not knowing any better,” she teases.
I chuckle, pushing her hair aside and grazing my lips against the side of her neck. It’s funny if she thinks I’ve ever been with anyone but her. “And what about you?”
