“On the street?”
He shakes his head. “I was in your apartment after you turned away Kolt. You were in bed taking care of things he badly wanted to. I was so close to going through with it, but something held me back. Then you said my name, and… I just couldn’t do it.” He brings his hand to my face, drawing his thumb across my cheek tenderly. “Because I didn’t, there’s a bounty on both our heads. And if you don’t get on that plane right now, they’re going to finish the job I wouldn’t.”
The tears I’ve been holding back spill over. Hot, thick tears that threaten a torrent of sobs to follow. This can’t be real. This can’t be happening.
“You need to go now.” He pulls away, steps away, looks away.
I tighten my fist in his shirt, but he’s unclenching my grip. Putting distance between us. I fight him, but I know it’s useless.
He tried to kill me.
He kept me alive.
He tied me to the goddamn bed.
He killed a man who would have killed me first if given the chance.
He’s not my Tristan anymore.
He’s a shadow.
He’s indelibly imprinted on me.
In my blurred periphery, I see Leo coming closer. Time is running out. I need more time with Tristan to figure all this out.
“When will I see you again?”
He glances to Leo and back to me. “There will be someone to meet you at Dulles. An old acquaintance.”
“How will I know him?”
“Trust me, you’ll be able to spot him in a crowd. He’ll take you to your father as soon as it’s safe.”
“No.” I can’t hide the agony wrapped around that one word.
His hardened expression softens.
“Go… Please, Isabel. Just go.”