Chapter Fourteen
Milena woke with a start, the pitch black surrounding her forcing a gasp to leave her throat. Laying perfectly still, she focused on her breathing as the realization of where she was came back to her. A smile curled her lips as she recalled how Bash had unearthed a make-shift bed in the corner of the room. How he’d picked her up bridal style, laying them among the pieces of forest floor as they kissed, while the storm raged overhead. Moving to turn toward Bash, a hand clamped over her mouth and Bash’s lips were at her earlobe. “Shhh.”
Bash heard the sound of snapping twigs just outside the shelter, the scent of synthetic deer piss heavy in the air. Pulling her impossibly close, he ignored the feelings her body brought out. There’d be time for what he wanted to do after he got her out of there. Keeping his cheek against hers, Bash listened as the steps grew closer and then stopped.
Milena could feel her heart hammering inside her chest as beams of red light appeared just outside the entrance to the shelter. She felt Bash move behind her, his hand remaining tight over her mouth.
“Poachers.”
Bash’s reassuring voice brought both terror and relief. Poachers hunted animals, not humans, but they carried guns, something she didn’t have.
Covertly reaching behind him, Bash wrapped his hand around the grip of his gun, flipping off the safety, he brought the gun around, pointing it at the entrance to the shelter.
Milena kept her gaze locked on the beam of light dancing on the forest floor, letting out a relieved sigh as it took an abrupt turn to the left.
“Come on, we need to get moving.” Pulling Milena onto her back, Bash kissed her swiftly before jumping to his feet and donning his jeans.
Milena silently complied, pulling her still slightly damp clothing on as fast as she could.
Sliding his gun into the waistband of his jeans, “We have about an hour left to hike, daylight isn’t for another two so I need you to stay close.”
Despite the coldtemperatures and a relatively easy hike, Milena’s heart was pounding and she was covered in sweat as she stood beside what looked like a crevice in the mountain wall. Bash had held her hand the entire hike, as he skillfully guided her without the aid of any artificial light.
“Give me twenty minutes to wash off last night and I will make you the best pancakes you’ve ever tasted.” Bash tossed over his shoulder as he placed his hand in a large crack in the rock.
Taking a measured step back, Milena watched in awe as a massive boulder beside Bash slowly moved to the left, revealing a cave-like opening.
“Come on, let me show you my world.” Holding out his hand, Bash waited with bated breath, his mind anxious to see her reaction.
Milena felt like a kid at Christmas as she took Bash’s hand and stepped over the threshold.
“What is this place?” Marveling at the sophisticated interior, Milena would have easily guessed she was inside a posh hotel rather than the center of a mountain. Marble floors covered the entrance, while soft light glowed from modern chandeliers overhead and sconces along the wall. Rich colors of deep blues and gray reflected Mother Nature’s pallet from outside.
“My team calls it The Cliffs. You and I will call it home until we can capture Gridlock.”
“Why do you call it The Cliffs?”
“C’mere,” Bash tipped his head to the side, an excited gleam in his eye. “I’ll show you.”
Allowing him to pull her down the hall, Milena stumbled along behind him, her attention drifting from one open door to another, an automatic giggle leaving her lips.
Bash fell in love with this particular safe house the moment he’d laid eyes on it, bargaining hard for it during the negotiations in purchasing Keystone Securities. Despite the circumstances, he looked forward to spending time with Milena here, learning all the idiosyncrasies a background check could never reveal. Reaching what Bash labeled the observatory, he spun on his heels, taking both of Milena’s hands in his as he walked backward into the room.
“Close your eyes.”
Complying instantly, Milena placed her trust in Bash, allowing him to lead her blindly into the room. She could tell, despite her lack of vision, the room, like the rest of the space, was bathed in somber light.
Dropping her hands, Bash circled around Milena, wrapping his arms around her as he pressed his thumb onto the keypad.
Milena was vibrating with anticipation, between the warmth of Bash’s body and the soft hum of a motor to her left, she couldn't imagine what awaited her.
“Don’t be afraid,” placing a kiss to the shell of her ear. “Open your eyes, Sweetness.”
Opening her eyes slowly, Milena fell silent at the beauty before her. The room reminded her of a greenhouse with its glass walls and metal framing. Stepping from Bash’s embrace, she took several cautious steps forward until she reached the edge.
“I call this room the observatory,” Bash admitted, keeping his focus on Milena as she took in the back side of the peak.
Nodding, “I can see why.” Milena returned, drifting her gaze along the pine trees growing on the side of the mountain slopes around her. She felt as if she’d stepped onto the set of a movie as she watched water cascading down the side of the summit to her left. “It’s beautiful.”
