I’d been tired. So fucking tired.
Still was, actually, but now it was a sated tired. Satisfied with the knowledge I could sleep with Tess beside me, and we’d both be safe.
Tess blushed, love filling her face with a gentle fire. She carried an inner flame—a torch she’d been missing for so long. After everything I’d done, she was the one to bring back her light. She’d claimed her own destiny once again and in the same breath handed it over to me.
Her gift humbled me, layering my guilt for what the slave did the night before. Another woman’s lips had been around my cock. How could I ever tell her that? But how could I ever not? Would the secret fester until it turned me into a rotting cavity? Or would she understand I didn’t do it willingly? My body and soul were hers. Through and through.
You can’t tell her. Not yet.
Maybe one day I would—but not yet. Not until I’d sorted through the memories and dealt with them in my own way. Not until I’d talked to the girl and apologised.
Blair came into the private room where Franco, Tess, and I were awaiting the final results. I’d suffered countless x-rays to find out if the baseball bat had punctured any organs or caused internal bleeding.
“The plane is fuelled and ready to go, sir. The flight plan has been lodged and Suzette has been informed of an ETA of twelve hours.”
Blair smiled at Franco passed out on a bed. His snores sailed from the other side of the room. The doctors had reassessed him, given more painkillers, and changed his bandages. No sooner had they stopped prodding him, he’d passed out cold.
Sleep was a miracle cure, and I wanted some myself.
I need to sleep so I don’t look like a fucking corpse on my wedding day. I honestly didn’t know how I’d function after everything my body survived but I wasn’t waiting another day. Tess would be mine tomorrow. It would come true even if I had to say my vows in a wheelchair and not consummate for days.
“I’ve also made arrangements for Franco’s future care. It will all be arranged when you return home,” Blair said.
“Merci.” I nodded. “Appreciate everything you’ve done. I’ll leave you in charge of disbanding the team and arranging safe transportation for any women ready to return home. Work with the police. Give them any information they need and advise them to contact Frederick if they need more details.”
The blond man, who’d killed beside me in Brazil, grinned. “Will do. I’ve got it under control. See you in France, sir.” With a small salute, he left the room, leaving Tess and me alone once again—minus Franco snoring in the corner.
Tess moved, perching higher on the edge of my bed. She smiled, linking her fingers with mine. “Are you sure you’ll be okay to travel? The doctors said you should stay here. Wait a few days at least.”
“They always say that. They’ve done what they can for me. Now it’s my body’s job. I can heal in other places than just a hospital.” Hiding my wince as a bolt of agony tore through my thigh, I added, “I wouldn’t miss the biggest day of my life. I’m marrying you tomorrow whether you want to or not.” I hoped I looked threatening and not a man very aware of his mortality. “Lynx would’ve had to kill me to prevent that.”
I shuddered, remembering just how close he came—multiple times. I’d never been one to cry for help—but he’d made me scream. Fucking asshole.
“I’ve already cleared it with the hospital staff to bring along one of the head doctors and a triage nurse,” Tess said. “You both need experts if you’re stupid enough to leave before they say.”
Looking over at snoring Franco, I grinned. “I’m not concerned about my own wellbeing, but I agree he’s a bit of a mess. Best to have someone who can knock him out if he gets out of hand.”
Tess clamped her lips together. “They really hurt him. Just like they hurt you.” Her focus turned inward, no doubt remembering the rush to find me and the mess I’d been in when they did.
My heart squeezed as shadows cast over her face. “I’m sorry you had to see me like that, esclave.”
Her eyes flickered to mine. “Sorry? What on earth do you have to be sorry about?”
I sucked in a breath. Not prepared to tell her just how much I had to apologise for. I’d been completely reckless. Idiotic. “I should’ve had more security. I knew they would come eventually.”
She sucked in a breath. “I want to ask one question, then I’ll never mention it again.” Her face turned hard. “Will you answer it?”
My temper intertwined with the morphine in my blood, making me wary. She knows.
Goddammit, I wasn’t ready for this. “What is it?”
“You knew something like this would happen. I know why you went with them—to protect me. But, Q, you’re a billionaire. You should never have been in harm’s way. You were reckless. Travelling with only one guard. You made it look like you were protecting yourself with fake names and guns but really—you let them take you—didn’t you?”
Shit. How did I ever think I would get away with it? The way she’d watched me at the restaurant—her hesitation when we first arrived in Rome. She’d fed off my awareness—searching for the men I knew were stalking me.
My eyes narrowed. “You want the truth?”
She nodded.
“Fine. Yes, I made it easy for them.”
“Why?”
“To use them as an example.”
Franco stirred before falling back into sleep. “I’ve done a lot of bad things in my life, Tess. Messed with a lot of men who are just as rich as me and have the means to hunt and kill without ever being seen. It was the choice I made in order to avoid dying one afternoon by a sniper rifle and never returning home to you.”
“But you could’ve brought more security. You could’ve—”
“No, Tess. It wouldn’t have worked. They would’ve found a way, and I refused to run that risk. What if they’d killed you by mistake? What if they came after you again? This was the logical way—even Franco agreed with me.”
“Agreed with you on what?”
I sighed heavily. “I had to look weak to appear strong.”
Tess frowned. “That doesn’t make sense.”
I shifted against the pillows, already feeling stronger. I was calm—for the first time since the press aired my dirty secrets. “Not only did I remove Red Wolverine’s operation, but you and Franco took out Lynx. Two major players who others respect. What do you think other traffickers will do? Now, I’ve proven twice as hard to kill?”
Tess shook her head. “I know what you’re going to say, but how can you be sure?”
“I can’t.”
Tess fell silent before murmuring, “You think they’ll keep their distance?”
That’s what I fucking hope. “I aim to use Lynx as an example. He came for me. He hurt me. But he died for it. And not only did I exterminate his team, steal his women, and disband his business, but I have the law on my side. No one will put me in prison for killing them. No one will make me stand trial for saving women.” My body heated with the knowledge I’d built a protection detail better than mere men. I’d bought word of mouth respect and a reputation for invincibility. I’d done everything in my power to ensure I lived a long fucking life. “They won’t try again—not for a while.”
Tess suddenly stood. Her eyes glittered as she tore off her jeans and sweater. The smear of blood still marked her cheek—her trophy from battle. Her stomach muscles danced, slinking from her clothes.
My mouth went dry, staring at her body. She only wore knickers—no bra—the blush from the candle wax faint on her breasts. “You’re impossibly stunning, esclave.”
My cock swelled, filling with desire for the woman who’d saved my life. She truly owned me. It was undeniable now.
I wrenched back the covers, inching over for her slim body to fit against mine on the small hospital bed. The moment her delicate form pressed against me, I breathed heavily. “Don’t hate me for accepting pain. It was an insurance policy.”
“To pro
tect me.”
I kissed the top of her head, wincing a little at the ache in my chest. “To protect you.”
“You don’t have to protect me anymore,” she murmured.
I smiled, relaxing against her warmth. “Tess, I will protect you till my last breath on this earth—and even longer if I can. You’re mine. You should expect nothing less.”
Tess’s frame shivered as tears dampened my chest. “You almost left me, Q. I hated you for leaving.”
I held her tighter, letting her release everything she’d lived through. “But I didn’t leave. I found a way to be with you. You found me in time.”
Her voice was watery with sadness. “I never want to feel that way again. Promise me.”
Rocking her, I let her cry. “I promise, esclave. I promise to never leave or keep things from you again. Je suis à toi.”
Franco had told me briefly about the arrest. About what she’d gone through. I wanted to smash the cop’s face in for detaining my woman, but that would have to wait. Right now I would be the sponge to soak up Tess’s tears, and tomorrow I would stand by her side. We would speak the binding words of eternal vows.
Tomorrow all of this wouldn’t matter.
Tomorrow the future was ours.
* * *
Stepping into the solid wall of heat deleted our sorrows, giving us happiness instead.
The air-conditioned flight had taken us away from Spain, the hospital—away from what Lynx had done.
Seychelles at midnight was almost mystical in its paradise. The airport twinkled with lights, creating a buzz of anticipation while a welcoming blanket of relaxation descended. All my angst and stress from the past few weeks melted away, leaving me weightless for once.
This was the place I would marry Tess. The place where true happiness began.
The ten hour flight had given us time to rest, but the trade-off for sleep was stiffness. No matter how I forced my body to move, it’d lost the smooth power, replacing it with jerky tiptoes. The stitches in my legs tugged uncomfortably, the tenderness in my thigh throbbed, but nothing would stop me from being here—or marrying Tess tomorrow.
“Bloody hell, it’s hot,” Franco muttered limping down the plane steps. The moment he hobbled away from the stairs, I turned to take Tess’s hand as she stepped carefully onto the tarmac.
“Wow,” she said, glancing around. “It’s beautiful. I missed the heat.”
“I agree—”
My phone rang, vibrating against my ass. Letting Tess go, I pressed the receive button, bracing myself for the torrent of exclamations I knew was coming. I’d avoided talking to her at the hospital but couldn’t avoid it now.
“Bonsoir, Suzette.”
“Mon Dieu! You’re alive. Thank the heavens. I’ve been going crazy! Franco wouldn’t let me talk to you. He banned me from upsetting you. Then Blair said you were in hospital. Hospital, Q! I tried to call the doctors and find out if you’d be okay for the wedding. I contacted everyone I knew for information. But no one told me anything. Do you know how frustrating that is! People said you died! Q—” Tears filled her voice. “You—are you—”
I jumped in. “I’m alive—as you can very well hear. We’re at the airport. And you’ll be able to see for yourself that I’m in one piece if you let me get off the damn phone and into the helicopter.”
I’d been informed of the location when we checked out of the hospital. Suzette had done a great job arranging a chopper transfer, but I still didn’t know the name of our final destination.
Tess smiled beside me, enjoying the one-sided conversation.
“By the way—which island are we flying to?” My mind flicked through the atolls and land masses making up Seychelles. I’d never been tempted to buy property on this side of the world but I’d visited once or twice. The diving was incredible thanks to the crystal clearness of the reefs.
“It’s called Cheval De Mer.” She cleared her throat. “And I’m not saying any more until you get here. The other guests have arrived, but they’re separate from where you and Tess are staying.”
Anger sprung with rushing fire, bringing gushing pain to extremities. “Guests?” Shit, who the hell did she invite? “Suzette! You knew I didn’t want anyone there.”
Silence.
“Suzette,” I growled.
“You put me in charge. So…I took charge.”
I rubbed my temple, cursing the shooting pains in my heart. Tension heightened the aches in my body. Fuck. “If I find there are a bunch of people I don’t want, or if there are news reporters bobbing in the fucking ocean trying to photograph us—I won’t just fire you, Suzette—I’ll—”
“Threats and more threats. Don’t you know they don’t work on me?”
Tess placed a hand on my arm, granting me some serenity. Ordinarily, I would’ve grinned at Suzette’s comment, pride filling me for her snarky strength. I’d given that to her. I’d saved her. But this time, I was pissed.
I wanted to scream. But my energy level was too low. “Don’t make me regret this wedding.”
She sombered, answering softly, “You could never regret it. You’re marrying her.” She hung up, leaving me glowering at the phone.
“Everything okay?” Tess asked. Her blonde hair was coiled upward, loose strands dancing in the hot breeze.
I pinched my brow. I didn’t know how intelligent I’d been putting Suzette in charge. Who knew the catastrophe she might’ve orchestrated. But it was done now. I had no way of controlling whatever she’d put into action. I just hoped I wouldn’t have to kill her for disobeying.
“Probably not, but there’s nothing I can do about it.”
This was why I wanted to elope to Volière.
You’re marrying her.
Suzette was right. Nothing could stop the knowledge that Tess was mine completely. No matter if she’d arranged a circus or a fucking Mardi Gras, having Tess sign her name beside mine would make everything else fade into oblivion.
I wrapped an arm around Tess’s waist. “Ignore me. Been a long day. Let’s go.” Nodding at Franco, I added, “Time to leave reality behind.”
Franco grinned. “Damn right. Had enough reality for a lifetime. I’m ready to pass out on a lounger and drink cocktails until my body doesn’t hurt anymore.”
Sounds like a great fucking plan.
Together our trio made our way toward the helicopter glinting in the starlight. It wasn’t a Bell Relentless but it was still a nice machine with clean lines and blue and silver paintjob.
“Good evening, Mr. Mercer. Ms. Snow.” The pilot nodded, shaking my hand. “Please, come aboard and make yourself comfortable. The flight will be approximately twenty-five minutes.”
Tess climbed in, turning to give me her hand which I flatly refused to take. I wasn’t a fucking invalid. Sure my heart had stopped a few times under torture. Sure my legs held more stitches than I wanted to count, but I wasn’t dead. I could climb into a goddamn helicopter unassisted.
That didn’t stop a shove from Franco on my ass as I bent forward. I stumbled inside, swallowing my groan of pain. Everything heated, flaring with discomfort. Steadying myself, I muttered, “You obviously don’t like having thumbs. Do that again and I’ll make it an even missing pair for you.”
Franco laughed. “Just helping an old man. Doing my civil duty.”
Asshole.
Grabbing his arm, I yanked him unceremoniously into the cabin. He landed with a thud, cursing.
“Oops. Didn’t know you were so delicate. Just repaying the favour.”
Franco looked up, his emerald eyes sparking with laughter. “Not as delicate as you. You know, I’m getting over seeing you naked, Mercer. Hanging upside down like that. I have to say, I wasn’t impressed.”
The joke barbed, but I knew what he was doing. He’d been in charge of finding me alive—not just because it was his job, but because he genuinely cared for Tess. No one wanted a grieving wife on their watch.
The sparring was a way of unwinding—disp
elling the anxiety of the past few days. With my lips twisted into a smile, I pulled my leg back—fully intending to kick him.
Tess looked at us in horror. “Are you trying to send yourself back to the hospital? Stop it!” Her blue-grey eyes flashed as she sat down in one of the eight chairs situated much like an airplane cabin. “Both of you.”
Franco smirked, climbing to his feet. “Better listen to your woman, boss. She’s got you on a tight leash. Don’t want to disobey.” He smacked me on the back. My eyes watered with residual agony from the baseball bat injuries.
Repaying the favour, I planted a heavy hand on his healing shoulder. “Least I have a woman. I feel sorry for your cock. Which hand did you use to jerk off? Left or right? Guess not having a thumb is going to be a bitch for that.”
Franco swung, missing my jaw as I ducked. We were both breathing hard with pain, but broke into laughter.
Tess rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, “I don’t get it. Does everything have to be a competition between you two?”
We answered together, “Yes.” Franco added, “Just giving him payback. He owes me a thumb and until he pays up, his ass is mine.” His chest puffed, lowering himself carefully into a chair. “He’s alive because of me—he owes me. Big time.”
I chuckled. We’d survived a lot in the past few days. If we couldn’t laugh about it what was the fucking point.
Tess held up her finger, pointing at us as if we were incompetent children. “You’re forgetting I killed Lynx. If anyone owns Q’s ass, it’s me.” Standing, she crossed the small distance between us and blatantly grabbed my left ass cheek with her fingernails.
I jolted under her hold; my cock—who’d been too much of a fucking pussy to twitch till now—thickened under her intense gaze. I’d wanted her in the hospital but this was different. My system wasn’t layered with drugs. I didn’t care about my pain—all I cared about was sinking inside her.
“You’re mine. Are we clear?” Her lips parted, recognising the paralyzing cloud of lust between us. I wanted her. Naked. Screaming. Coming.
Dropping my hand, I grabbed her in the exact place she held me. Dragging her close, I whispered, “If we’re still on the topic of whose ass belongs to whom, esclave, don’t forget—this…” I trailed my fingers possessively to her crack. “This is mine. And I’m taking it the moment you’re my wife.”
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