Chapter 8

“Are you sure you packed enough?”

“Yes.” I look around dramatically. “I have everything.”

We stand by the front entrance, my suitcases nearby. Calum is beside the door, peering outside the window. My mom is scanning me for the one-thousandth time, fussing and huffing as if I have never left on my own before.

“You still hungry?”

I break into a short laugh. “We just had a whole big breakfast like five minutes ago.”

She points at me as if she just remembered something. “And there’s even leftovers. I’ll pack you some just in case you get hungry on the way.” She spins around, scurrying off into the kitchen. “Airplane food is garbage.”

Calum takes a recess from playing bodyguard, sauntering to stand where he belongs. At my side. He laces his arm around my neck, pulling me to him. If sunshine had a smell, it would bear his name. There’s just something about his aura... his touch that feels like summer sunlight on my skin.

“You had time to read the files they sent you?” He stares down at me. “Since you were up late doing something.”

I nod. “Read over their portfolio. What they want me to look into. It appears that their opposition is engaging in the employment of undocumented laborers, subjecting them to conditions tantamount to servitude. Despite enticing promises of employment and fair compensation, these individuals are instead subjected to grueling hours, with little to no recompense for their laborious efforts. Even a few employees are willing to testify against them if we can guarantee witness protection.”

Calum nods, running his other hand through his hair, Nordic-gold strands rippling. “And...” he trails off, lowering his voice. “You know?”

“The book?” I cast a look at the kitchen. “It’s safe.”

Calum frowns at me, a meld of annoyance and affront. “What? You’re not going to tell me?”

“It’s best that no one knows. I wish I could misremember it myself.” My finger taps my temple. “But I can’t.”

He sighs, shaking his head stiffly. “I told you it was a bad idea.”

My brows slam together. “You say that every time.”

“It was reckless. And this time we’re all paying the price.” Harshness leathers his tone, an accusatory arch in his voice. “You, me, and even your mother. If only she knew the reason as to why you accepted this out-of-the-blue proposal with such convenient timing.”

I cross my arms. “Blaming me isn’t going to erase what I did.” My conviction is iron-clad. “I don’t regret my actions but I regret the consequences. I know I went too far with this one, and I don’t need a reminder.”

I turn away, walking into the dining room adjacent to me. Calum’s footsteps echoing after me. I look out the window, staring at nothing. Calum posts himself behind me. Before he can say anything, a sleek black car pulls up in front of the driveway. It’s time. Panic tears through my chest, shredding my peace into pieces.

I inhale a ready breath. “Mama.”

I rotate around Calum like he’s not even there. I’m not mad, I just hate... not being right. My mom returns with double-stacked containers of food.

“Ma, no.” I laugh nervously. “I can’t take that with me. I’m seriously full. And eggs that I have to reheat in a microwave just ain’t it.”

She pouts but comes to a reluctant acceptance. Calum helps me with my bags. I snatch my phone from the counter, slipping it into my back pocket. Since I forgot that this is the high-waisted pants with no side pockets!

Emerging outside, my eyes bulge out of their sockets. The chauffeur stands in front of the car with the trunk of the Rolls Royce wide open. Its polished midnight coat glinting under a late morning sun. The chauffeur gives Calum a hand with my luggage, loading it into the back.

My mom envelops me into one last, bone-crushing hug. And I hug her back as tightly as I can, struggling to hold in the tears, hot behind my eyes.* You got this.*

Calum walks up to me and engulfs me into a fear-quelling embrace.

My eyes shut, waging a silent war.

“I want calls every day,” he lists, his voice muffled, “I want two-hour updates and I’m going to facetime you every night, okay?”

“Got it, nerd.”

“Don’t do anything crazy.” He pulls away. Both hands rise to hold my face. “Not until I’m with you again so I can say: I told you so.”

I nod wordlessly.

He pecks my temple. “Be safe for me, princess.”

I trade smiles with them both. I force myself away, my steps feeling weighted, heels clicking on the tarmac. The chauffeur opens the backseat door for me and I slide inside. He closes it behind me and soon appears in the driver’s seat upfront.

Shortly, the car rolls away smoothly. I glance back at Calum and my mom shrinking with the growing distance. I fix my eyes ahead, my gaze glossing over the fancy interior. It has an automotive design; a single panel of glass spans the entire fascia to house a unique gallery displaying bespoke artwork. I’m literally sitting in the lap of luxury, seated on white, A grade leather with fine veneers and deep lambs wool carpets, enhanced by a starlight headliner. The rear cabin is so spacious I could literally lounge on the floor.

Panic starts to rise again. I don’t get anxious. But this time is different, the circumstances are precarious because of what I did. It wasn’t just reckless... It was stupid. I know that. I knew it was insane and dangerous to go after Gaza like that. But I did it anyway. Despite knowing the risks of endangering those closest to me. I did it anyway.

What kind of person does that make me?

My fingers muse over my long coils of dark espresso curls. My head hung in infinite ignominy.

“Miss Moor?”

I snap straight.

“Would you like some privacy?”

“....Privacy?”

He meets my gaze in the rear-view mirror for a moment.

“The electrochromic glass switches from transparent to fully opaque.” He motions to the divider separating the front from rear. “If you want.”

“No.” I recline in the armchair, mending my posture, summoning my composure. “That would make me feel like a prick.”

A small smile splinters his face before solemnity seals it back up again.

“I’m used to it, ma’am. All the passengers I drive always do it.”

“My point exactly. I’m just...” I wring out my hands. “On edge.”

“Would you like a drink?” He gestures to it with his eyes. “The whole array is for you.”

My eyes dart to the side compartment with a myriad of options.

“Thanks.” I take the water bottle, unscrewing the lid. “Hey, what’s your name?”

He sneaks a glimpse of me, frowning, like he’s stunned by the question. “Conner, ma’am.”

“Hadassah,” I correct, inhaling the water. I pause to swallow. “So how long have you been driving rich pricks around?”

“For a while,” he says thoughtfully. “On the side, I’m in private security.”

“Let me guess—” a yawn interrupts me, “—guarding some rich prick.”

“No, this is just part of the gig of working for Aztech.”

Aztech! An entity that belongs to Zenith.

Darkness creeps in the edges of my vision. I blink rapidly. “Oh… so you’re a guard?” I ask so dazedly, sounding as if I’m drunk.

Black dots swim across my vision, flitting in and out.

“No, I’m more like a transporter.”

Sudden nausea swirls through my mind, my brain in a cauldron of chaos. Unable to look straight or think right. I slowly draw the bottle to my nose, sniffing. Nothing.

“So what sedative did you...” The bottle slips from my hand, a cascade of water splashing on the floor. “What odorless drug is in it?”

I slump against the chair, my head lolling to the side.

“Nothing harmful,” he reassures futilely. “We are all under strict instruction not to harm you. He wants you alive.”

My eyelids droop close.