“Ah. Yes. Well, perhaps that will change.”
Unlikely. “I think that I should?—”
“Emmaline, Heath is a very powerful man.”
“Congratulations.” I force another smile, trying to keep my gaze on the man beside me, even though every second I’m looking at him, I’m sure I’m staring at the worst of humanity. How I know that, I’m not sure.
But I do.
Heath continues looking me up and down, like he’s willing to sic his tattooed snake on me at any moment.
Every single muscle in my body is tensed. I have to get out of here. I cannot wait for the Hunts to show up. Otherwise, I’ll end up shackled to this monster of a man. Of that, I have no doubt.
I start to open my mouth to ask when the pilot will be ready to take off so I can return home, but the door opens. Felicity strolls in, dressed in a white button-down shirt and a pair of loose-fitting red pants the same shade as the lipstick painted on her lips.
“And speaking of beauty,” Gio says as he stands. “Look at you, my love.”
“Good morning, darling.” She kisses him on the cheek, then turns to Heath. “Well, Mr. Slater, this is quite the surprise.”
“The surprise is all mine, Mrs. Karver.” He stands and kisses her hand just as he did mine, though her smile doesn’t falter. Does she feel the same distaste I do? Or is she better at hiding it?
Or—a worse thought—did I place my trust in someone who won’t do anything to free me?
She turns to Gio. “Darling, I was hoping to take Emmaline shopping in the village today. Is that all right? I want to show her more of our home.”
Gio looks at Heath, who offers the slightest nod, as though giving permission.
Escape. I have to escape. If I’m in a village, then that means I won’t be trapped behind these walls. I have to force a smile on my face. “I would love that.” I try not to sound too eager. “I’m hoping to get home soon, but if we can make a day out of it before I do, that would be great.”
Gio’s eyes harden when he turns to me, though his smile stays firmly in place. “Of course, darling Emmaline. Whatever you want.”
“Wonderful. Come, darling. I have the car waiting downstairs.” Felicity reaches out a hand, and I take it without hesitation. Right now, it’s the only lifeline I have.
“You’ll take Hector and Jack with you,” Gio replies. “They can follow you into town and keep watch. There’s been some trouble lately, and I want my girls to be safe.”
Felicity turns toward him. “Okay, darling. Whatever you think is best.” She kisses him again, then pauses near my chair. “You’re going to love this little boutique I favor. They have so many wonderful things, and the cutest clothes.”
She loops my arm through hers. “I don’t think I have any money. Unless Mattheus brought my purse?—”
“Money is no object,” Gio calls after us. “Whatever you want is yours.”
All I have to do is sell my soul. Or, at least, that’s what it feels like.
Felicity and I walk in silence down another set of stairs. The rest of the house is just as immaculate as the parts I’ve seen, though the second set of stairs opens toward a lower floor that’s surrounded by walls of windows. A man carrying a gun stands near the front door. As we approach, he offers a curt nod to Felicity, then pulls the door open.
“Thank you, Hector. You’re coming with us?”
“Yes,” he replies.
There’s a bright red convertible parked in front of the house, with a black Jeep just behind it.
“Fantastic.” She opens the door to the passenger side, then waits for me to climb in. As soon as I do, she shuts the door, and Hector follows her around to open the driver’s side door. “Thank you, honey,” she purrs.
I watch her as she grins at him.
Either she’s playing her part well, or she was acting last night.
Trouble is, until I know which one it is, how can I trust her?
