Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Alexei: Peaceful, isn’t it?
Hailey: Yes.
I take a photo and send it to him.
Alexei: Enjoy it for both of us.
Hailey: Are you ever going to deactivate the tracking device?
Alexei: Never. Don’t take it off either.
Hailey: I won’t.
With the enemies they have, I keep wearing the chain and tag Carson gave me… just in case something goes wrong. At least they’ll be able to find me.
Images of that horrible night shudder through me, unexpected like it always does. It taints the moment that was supposed to be beautiful.
The fear, the panic, the pain.
Carson just sitting there.
The impassive expression on his face.
Hearing it was all happening because he killed someone.
The shock.
Letting out a sigh, I close my eyes, just listening to the water for a couple of minutes.
The shock of Carson being an assassin doesn’t hit as hard anymore. My world is no longer black and white. It’s slowly changing to gray because even though Carson could’ve stopped me from leaving, he didn’t. He drove me to the airfield. He arranged his private jet to bring me to Croatia. He paid for the hotel while I searched for an apartment.
And he’s still here.
Opening my eyes, I glance around me, searching for him, but I only catch a glimpse of a guy with dark hair.
Stop, Hailey.
Slowly, I continue to explore the area for the rest of the afternoon before heading back to the bus stop. On the ride to Rovinj, I stare at the passing scenery, and my thoughts once again turn to Carson.
The intense vibe I got from him turned out to be because he can kill someone in seconds.
My thoughts keep skipping from one memory to the next.
I remember the night I saw him after he said goodbye the first time. How happy I was and how good it felt when I got to throw my arms around him.
‘I tried to stay away,’ his words echo through me.
‘We come from different worlds.’
My fingers lift to my lips as I remember our first kiss.
I freeze when I remember the sad look he had after the kiss. I thought he was having second thoughts, but instead, he was worried about me learning the truth.
His silent tears when I said goodbye.
I let out a deep breath, shaking my head in the hopes of clearing my thoughts. I can’t go on like this.
When the bus stops in my town, I get off and walk down the cobbled stone roads toward my apartment. I glance at the buildings with their red roofs. Rovinj was originally an island before it was joined to the mainland. The sea is calm with the same turquoise color the waterfalls have.
Reaching my building, I go inside and head up the three flights of stairs to my door. When I reach it, my lips part. On the floor lies a small bundle of dried wildflowers. I glance around me but don’t see Carson. Crouching down, I carefully pick them up.
He was here.
I close my eyes as my heart squeezes painfully. Carson said the flowers were the greatest gift anyone has ever given him. Now we each have a bundle, and it makes me feel connected to him.
I miss you too.
CARSON
It’s been the longest month of my life, and the only comfort I get is from watching Hailey at a distance.
She knows I’m following her, and the fact that she hasn’t told me to stop gives me renewed hope.
I left some of the dried flowers by her door to remind her I’m still here. I know it’s selfish of me, but I can’t stand the thought of her moving on without me.
I just can’t.
My phone vibrates and pulling it out of my pocket, there’s intense relief when I see a text from Hailey. I open it as fast as I can.
Hailey: Thank you.
Carson: Are you okay?
She looked lost standing on the bridge all by herself. It was hard to just stand and watch.
Hailey: Yes. Don’t worry about me.
Carson: That’s not something I can do.
She doesn’t send another message, and I tuck my phone back in my pocket. Knowing Hailey won’t leave her apartment until tomorrow morning, I head out of the building and walk to the hotel I’m staying at.
I’m busy looking at a property to buy, so I don’t have to stay in the hotel. It will take me a while to get settled, though.
I walk into the lobby and stop in front of the elevator. Pressing the button, I stand and wait for the doors to open.
My phone vibrates and taking it out of my pocket, I check the message that just came through.
Contract: Ariana Robinson
Business: Illegitimate heir – Ivanov
Time: 2 Weeks
Location: Seattle, USA
Fee: $15 000 000.00
The elevator doors open, and I step inside, a frown forming on my forehead. I’ve never heard of Ariana Robinson. I search her name and find social media accounts. A blonde girl smiles at the camera, doing things ordinary people do.