“It’s somewhere we can get back to being us. Somewhere to forget and to fortify. Everything you want will be waiting for us when we get there.”
“You make it sound so simple.” I bury my head against his chest, hoping that this plan isn’t just a way of hiding out. I did that before in Bora and they still followed me. “It is if you just let me do my job.”
“And what’s that?” I tilt my head back to study his face.
“Looking after you.”
It could have been a three-hour flight, but it took us over twenty-four hours to arrive. Part of me was hoping Nate would take us back to Bora, but I knew better. And despite it being for us, Denny and Joe were with us as well. They were always discreet, quiet, but I never forgot that we were being watched.
I step off the private jet and am assaulted with a wall of humidity that instantly has my clothes clinging to my skin. The boys look stupid in their cut suits in this heat, but they don’t seem to mind.
“Where are we?”
“Costa Rica.” Nate smiles as he delivers his answer, not stopping on the tarmac but already heading towards a waiting car.
Denny opens the driver's door, and we slip in the back. Joe slinks off to another vehicle before we exit the airport. I expected to see signs for San Jose, but there’s nothing.
“Will you tell me the plan now?” It’s hard to keep a grin from my face as I look out through the tinted glass and see the lush green foliage.
“It’s a surprise.”
“I’m not really the surprise type of girl, Nate. Not after everything.”
He doesn’t answer but squeezes my hand and turns to look out of the window.
We’re in the car for hours, and I’m sure I’ve drifted in and out of sleep. I remember stopping at some point, but Nate told me to rest and that Den would look out for me for a while, that there was something he needed to do. He was gone for around thirty minutes—thirty minutes of me hiding in the back, still worried about every sound without him by my side, but then he was back again, and I fell straight back to sleep. Since this all began, sleeping hasn’t been a regular occurrence—more like when and if you can.
“Gabby?” Nate’s voice filters to me, and I stir with a crick in my neck from the awkward position. “We’re here.”
“Will I know where here is?” I reply, my voice thick with sleep.
“Just look.”
It’s dark as I emerge from the car, having no real clue how long we’ve been travelling or what day it is. Manicured lawns surround a paved driveway that we’ve pulled up onto. Palm trees rustle against the shore breeze and camouflage a house, concealed behind them. The gentle roll of the waves pulls my attention, and I can see a pathway cut through the landscaping and down towards the sound of the beach. The inky darkness steals the splendour of what I believe will be a stunning view of the ocean.
“Is this where we’ll be staying?” The sleepiness from earlier has been erased.
“Yes. Take a look inside.”
“I thought we’d be in a hotel again,” I call back as I take the steps to the front door. Frigid air from the air conditioning bathes my skin as I search for a light switch. It’s a sleek and open plan with a marble floor and a beautiful spiral staircase. So many features that make me think of paradise. Wide, glass doors open out onto an infinity pool that’s jet black in the darkness. It reminds me of the first time I went out to hide the diamonds over in Nate’s bungalow.
“What are you thinking?” Nate’s touch caresses my arms as I lean back into him.
“I’m thinking about Bora.”
“I know. I wanted somewhere we could go and be safe. I couldn’t do that there. But this is where we can be us again.”
“Our bubble? It’s not Bora, but it’s close.”
“It is.”
“All I need is for you to like it and agree that you’ll do everything we ask to keep you safe.”
“I love it. And I have a million questions.”
“Tomorrow. And besides, you’re very good at doing what you’re told. In fact, I think we need to see a demonstration. Upstairs. Now.” He swats my arse, and I can’t help but happily pull him up the stairs to explore.
For tonight I can get caught up in the magic of us. Questions can wait until tomorrow.
