Page 131 of Depths of Destruction
"No. Only your gun and other stuff. The passports are safe to use."
"Thanks. I owe you."
Kalim gets a cocky grin. "No. I think we're even now."
"You feel better now that you made me say it?" Andre asks.
"Yep."
Andre shakes his head and snorts.
"Annabella knows a guy who owns a private plane. She'll arrange your flight out of here."
"Appreciate it," Andre says.
"I can't guarantee a window unless you leave now. Give me seven minutes. Turn right, then left, and you'll go all the way to the front doors. But you didn't hear anything from me." Kalim winks.
"Thanks, man."
"Stay safe."
"You, too."
"Ma'am." Kalim nods and leaves.
Andre glances at his watch and turns.
I'm already pulling clothes out of the plastic bag.
"Naomi, are you okay to go? If you aren't ready, then I'll figure something else out."
"Yes. If this is our chance, then let's go. I'm not going to the U.S."
"Okay, baby. Let me help get your shirt over your back." He helps me get changed. "We need to move fast once we leave this room."
For the first time since our capture, I feel like myself for a brief moment. "I won't let you down, Clyde."
Andre grins and blinks hard. "You could never let me down."
22
Andre
"Welcome!I've been waiting for you. I'm Annabella," she says with a French accent. She smiles, and her warm-brown eyes light up. Her reddish-brown hair is pulled into a slick ponytail and her pouty lips are painted red, which makes her slightly sunburned cheeks look pinker. Her bangs almost cover her eyes but aren't so thick you can't see her eyebrows, which are perfectly plucked.
I can see why Kalim has been obsessed with you all these years. You're exactly his type.
I kiss her quickly on both cheeks. "Ma'am. I'm Andre. This is Naomi."
Naomi smiles and nods but grips my arm and stays by my side. She politely says, "Nice to meet you."
I put my arm around her waist, and she sighs, as if in relief.
How am I going to help her recover from all this?
Annabella addresses Naomi. "It's a short walk to your cottage. Do you want me to get a golf cart, or are you okay walking?"
"I'd prefer to walk."
