Page 27 of North (The Moral Compass 2)

Chapter 22

Kara

IwalkoutofStarbucks completely refreshed and ready for the journey back. I don’t think of it as home because it’s not. I actually don’t have a home. I’m like a bloody waif and stray, sofa surfing at my friends and just plodding through life.

I need to make a conscious effort when I get back to put my life firmly back in my lane. I’ve drifted for too long.

There is a hen party near the gate causing a stir. It looks like they have brought their own stripper with them. I can’t help but laugh inside as the guy is trying to avoid their faces. They are really having a fun time teasing him. I used to be like that. All fun and giggles.

Hmm. Maybe soon, Kara.

I’ve got that feeling again as I approach the gate. Someone is watching me. I look around again, but I can’t see anyone familiar or out of place. North taught me how to look for strange people and how they behave, but I just can’t see anyone or anything weird or unusual. My eyes gravitate back to the hen party. The guy has gone, and they are all laughing with the bride. One of them is waving a piece of paper yelling, “at least I got his number!” I chuckle. This is something I definitely would have done before North. Now, I just don’t have the energy or the want.Arghhh,I need to sort out my shit when I get back.

New mission.Find Kara.

I’m abruptly disturbed from my rambling thoughts as I’m shoved forward forcefully as someone barrels into my back.

“For fuck’s sake, watch where the hell you’re going!” I yell, trying to straighten myself up. “What’s your problem? And take your dirty, grubby hands off me before I snap them off.”

“I’m trying to stop the love of my life from getting on that train and disappearing forever,” a deep, soft, beautiful voice replies.

All the oxygen in my body dispels in an instant. I’m frozen to the spot. My head won’t move, and I can’t breathe.

It’s North.

Oh shit, oh crap, oh no. He’s here, he’s found me. How the hell am I going to get out of this now?Don’t look at him, Kara. If you don’t look at him, you will be okay. Keep your head down, Kara. Don’t. Look.

Too late.

“Do you think you could help me?” he asks calmly, still holding my body in his strong arms. I can’t catch myself.

“Erm, no. I don’t think I can. I have to catch the train.”

Shit, Kara, don’t fucking look into those eyes.

“Ah, well, if you are hell-bent on going back, I’m coming with you.” A simple but powerful statement.

Shit.

“Oh, well, erm. Oh shit, North. Why?” I whisper. I can feel the tears rising again.

“I can’t have this conversation in a train station, Kara. You have two choices. One, you get on that train, and I come with you.” He pulls his passport out of his jacket pocket. His million-dollar smile rips my heart out. “Two, you come with me now, and we sort all this out and decide where we go from here. I would prefer option two as I don’t really like France.” The goofy sod is still smiling. I, on the other hand, have involuntary tears pouring down my cheeks.

I can’t think, I can’t talk. I’m just lost in his dark-chocolate eyes. His beautiful, perfect lips are just so fucking kissable. I haven’t felt anything like the electricity flowing between us with anyone else in my entire life.

“What’s it going to be, Princess?” He releases one arm and lifts my chin with his hand. I have no option here. My heart is smashing against my chest. I simply nod.

He takes my hand and leads me away from the boarding gate and out of the station. My feet are moving whilst my body is like an electric conductor. The sparks fly around my body, all starting from where his hand meets mine.

But it feels so right!

He doesn’t say a single word until we are outside the Majestic Hotel. He turns to face me, holding both my hands in his, his eyes finding mine.

“So, we are going in here, and we are going to talk. If you still want to go back to France after, I will personally call a jet and let you go. Okay?” I can hear the strain in his voice, and fear is all over his face.

Oh, my big man. What the hell are you doing to me?

We enter the hotel and walk straight past the reception desk.

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