Chapter 7

Back at the house, the scene was quiet as the threatening storm clouds settled in. WWM was now somehow in the hands of someone I neither knew nor trusted and without Pia, Woody and Charles in the house to help cheer things up I started thinking about LA and how much I missed it there. My thoughts were catapulted to a different place—sitting in Mr. and Mrs. McDowell's living room, their cat Reggi perched comfortably on my lap. I had a job, my Dad hadn't just died and I went back to simply knowing nothing; and in that moment, I was happy with that.

Reality flooded back in and I was sitting in my Father's stark leather office chair biting my lower lip as I surveyed the room. Will was standing right across from me, staring at me while leaning against a pillar on the left side of the room.

I silently observed his messy dark hair, 5 o'clock shadow; his jaw was set more firmly than usual. He was so handsome and yet so complex. My mind traveled to what he said earlier while he gripped my arm and held me so close to him. 'I'm not losing you again!' My heart wanted to stop and freeze in that very moment. He wasn't talking to me at that time. But who?

Silently staring into the emptiness behind both of our eyes—we were there for what seemed like an eternity. Maybe he had lost someone, too. It seemed obvious now that he had practically said it out loud. Whatever the case was, I didn't believe that whole story about him not having feelings. He did have them—I saw it today.

It started to rain—Crashing down on the roof, falling in streams down the windows. Everything was darker suddenly.

In a rush of emotion or adrenaline, I got up out of the chair and moved towards him. He didn't move, but seemed almost to step forward. His deep brown eyes looked confused and hurt. Something inside me wanted to remove that pain from him, whatever I could do. I leaned closer, tip-toeing until my mouth was a hair's breadth away from his. I let my hand run down the stubble on his cheek down to his chin. He paused, as if he wondered what exactly what was happening. Before I could back away, he brought his lips crashing down on mine engulfing me in his arms. His hands traveled from the small of my back to weaving through my hair, securing me in place as we kissed. My mouth instinctively opened and the feeling of his tongue meeting mine caused me to groan.

"Eva" someone called from the kitchen—Gio. Crap, what timing! I broke our kiss in shock and stared intently at his chest. We stood there silently for a moment.

Will placed a finger under my chin and brought my eyes up to meet his. I could have been lost in the endless canyon forever. He didn't let me go.

"Eva! I have something to show you!" I finally backed away slowly, feeling the horrid cold void form between us. His expression told me he was hungry, yearning for more. Without having the chance to fully comprehend what had just happened, I rushed blindly into the kitchen, finding Gio elbows deep on his computer.

"I think I have a clue to where this possible safe is, if not exactly where it is." The note. I barely had time to feel excited, I watched Will enter the room. I could tell he was deep in thought.

Gio looked from me to Will and back again. "Who's dog just died?" He scoffed. "C'mon now guys, aren't you excited about this?"

"What?" I blinked. "How did you find out?" I was still breathless, reeling from having just kissed Will.

"In the note he gave you." My attention snapped back to Gio.

"What do you mean?"

"It says here:" He snatched the note from the table beside him. "I'm sorry I couldn't get you the original copy for your Birthday."

I was having a hard time seeing his point. "So?"

Gio shook his head impatiently. "Don't you get it, Ev? Where are the original copies?" I smiled as realization set in. "I did a search and found a few places in Europe that have said copies. The British Museum-"

"Okay." I muttered.

"There's several in England in fact. But only one has them..." He paused and looked from Will to me. "An archive in Santorini."

My eyebrows furrowed. "Santorini?"

"Greece, my dear. Greece!" I remembered Gio mentioning my Father's past there, and my Mother's. I felt my heart jumping. I glanced at Will who looked equally stunned.

"Do you think... there will be pictures of them there? Mom and Dad?" Maybe Dad hid some there and that was the secret! Gio's grin spread from ear to ear.

"I think we're bound to find more than pictures, love. Santorini is where your Mother was born!" I could feel the joy and excitement spread through me like wildfire. The hope of connecting with my past—with my parent's past—gave me a much-needed distraction from everything happening with the company.

Speaking of which- "Has anything come back on the man I saw from WWM?" Whoever it was had been following two of the executive board members which made me wonder if he was with them, working for one of them.

"Not yet. But there was something interesting I found out about their beloved new CEO, Plymouth. Turns out he's the son of a late Russian military secretary and an English Duke."

"That's interesting." I replied. "Does it mean anything?"

"I'm not sure yet, but I discovered a calendar invitation on your Father's email account. He was scheduled to meet with a member of an extension of the Russian secret service in a couple of weeks." He paused to take a breath "Would you like some coffee?" He walked over to the black pot sitting in the corner of the kitchen. Outside of the nearby window I could see the torrential downpour continue. A lightning bolt streaked by.

"Yes, please."

"Should we tell Edward Fitzgerald?" I continued.

"As much as I admire him, and his friendship with your Father, I don't fully believe we can trust anyone at this point." He poured into another cup. "It's a game of monopoly and we are mere pawns in the political scheme. Coffee, Will?"

"Yes please." I saw Will's jaw tighten, his pouted lips forming a line. I could see myself kissing him there and I immediately shook the image away. For heavens sake get a grip, Eva! When I turned to accept the coffee, Gio was eyeing me suspiciously.

"What were you two up to in there anyway?" My face felt red and hot. I looked at Will, who shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"We were-" We both spoke at the same time. Sheesh, that was awkward. Will signaled his hand to let me finish the sentence.

"We, er, I... was looking through the office. Trying to find anything else that might be useful."

"Ah, still trying to seek out pictures of your folks. Afraid I've already gone through the lot of it, just not those books on the shelf."

I brought the steaming cup to my lips, desperately trying to hide my complexion. Gio looked nonchalantly from me to Will respectively, analyzing our behavior.

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully while he sipped on coffee. I always hated when he did that. It meant he was thinking deeply. There was a loud crash of thunder. Someone banged loudly on the front door.

"Aye, they're here." Gio got up and hurried to the foyer.

"Who's here?" I asked. The door opened and he ushered in a man and a woman, dressed in slacks and bulletproof vests.

"You've brought in extra security?" I snapped. "What's wrong with what we have now?" I crossed my arms, boiling in frustration.

"We're going to stay here an extra night, and I don't feel comfortable that the blokes who are after you know where we're staying. This place is no longer safe."

He gave them instructions and they headed back outside.

"If whoever it is hasn't killed me yet, he won't do it now. I thought we agreed on this!" I said.

Gio looked at me, concern filling his deep blue eyes. "If they haven't, there's a reason. And I'd hate to think that reason is going to run off with you when they kidnap you and then I can do nothing about it. Thank God Will was with you last night."

I paused, considering his words.

"If my Father was murdered." I lowered my voice. "Could it have been by the same person I saw today? And in LA?" Gio pursed his lips.

"I'm positive if he wasn't directly involved he may be involved in some way. But I'm still trying to find the motive! I have no clue why anyone was after your Father or what they hoped to gain by his death. It could have to do with the business or--"

"Or maybe it has to do with this." I held up the note. He shrugged.

"Whatever the case, it's not going to do any of us any good if they can get to you."

I could feel my stubbornness on the issue subside. He was right, and I felt bad for trying to thwart his efforts in the past several days. I decided to keep my big mouth shut and let him do what was needed, his job.

*******

I couldn't say I slept any better that night with the two extra security personnel standing outside the building. I kept tossing and turning, thinking endlessly about Dad. What do these people want? What did they want from him? I tried putting pieces of the puzzle together myself but the more I thought the more my head hurt.

The man yesterday was likely an assistant since he wasn't in the board meeting itself.

Assistant... assistant...

I got up out of bed and began pacing the floor endlessly. I checked my wristwatch, suddenly desperate to talk to someone, anyone. It was about 5pm LA time. Holly would be up. I picked up my phone and dialed her, biting my lip nervously.

"Hello?"

"Holly!" I sighed with relief that she answered.

"Eva? Is everything okay? It must be-" She paused, I guessed to check her watch. "1am your time?!"

"Yeah." I breathed, sitting and tucking my knees near my chest. I was seated on the same chair Will sat in while I slept last night. Why couldn't I get him out of my head? For the love of—

"So." She drawled her voice out in a curious tone. "How's Europe?"

Like hell, actually. I settled for "Fine." Oh, who was I kidding? Holly was a lawyer, and she could cut to the chase faster than anyone I knew.

"Right. You called me after midnight because you are having the time of your life. Eva, just tell me what the hell is going on." Crap.

"Oh Holly." I sighed. "I just want to come home." I quickly swiped a renegade tear away from my face.

"Owning your own business isn't all it's cracked up to be, is it?"

"I don't even think I'm in charge anymore." The board room was cold, calculating, overpowering. If my Father was trying to run away, I easily understood why.

"Oh, brother. Sounds like you need a lawyer." Holly's humor was as dry, but I actually found that funny, and yet completely true.

I hesitated, considering that it might be safer to talk about the business and not the fact that there was anyone after me right now. "There's more..." Tell her? Not tell her? I don't think I even cared at that point. My whole life was turning into a freak show.

"I'm listening."

"I don't know, maybe I'm going crazy but--" I muttered. "Dad's company has to do with manufacturing weapons—A man I don't even know, some CEO guy, is now temporarily running the business—and there's something about a secret safe Dad has hidden in Greece and then there's this guy named Will-"

"Woah!" She stopped me dead in my tracks. "Take a damn breath before you pass out for Pete's sake!"

"I just really, really need someone to talk to. I don't even think I'm supposed to be saying all of this." We both paused simultaneously.

"Eva, this sounds serious."

"You have to swear not to tell anyone, not even Jay."

"I won't..." She paused. "Why even stay there then? Make peace not war, right?"

I closed my eyes. "Afraid it's a bit more complicated than that. At least if I'm in control I don't have to worry as much." If only that were true. I wouldn't be up at 1am pacing around.

"Well okay. Tell me more later. Have you at least met any hot European men?" Oh, Holly, ever to the point.

I froze. "I think I may by attracted to my bodyguard... I don't know, we kissed, but I don't think it meant anything to him. He has this weird complicated past I think, and he acts like a complete ass half the time." That was me, the girl who always fell for the losers.

"Your bodyguard? Is he attractive at least?"

Oh yes. I breathed out. All I had to think of were his raven eyes and tousled hair.

"Ah, he's good looking as far as beefed up security goes." A lie. It was a good thing I was speaking over the phone or she would have seen right through me.

"Ahh Euro guys." She teased.

"Holly!" I admonished, feeling the heat sting my face. It felt good to have a girly conversation, something I didn't get enough of these days what with every man and woman around me being a highly skilled guard of sorts.

"Hey." She said, laughing. "I miss this."

"I miss this too." I paused, taking in the moment.

Suddenly her voice turned serious again. "Listen, Eva, be safe. I don't understand anything about what's happening over there but just promise me one thing--"

"Of course. Anything"

"Call me whenever you need to talk. I'll be here. Always."

I smiled. "You're the best, Holly."

********

It was happening all over again, like the horror film you didn't want to see twice. The wine stains looked like blood in the carpet; then he saw her face. His heart was beating faster. Maybe, just maybe this time he'll catch her. She'll fall into his arms instead of the cold, hard bathroom floor.

"Ally!" He yelled as he saw her limp body lying on the ground. He ran to her, his own tears falling over her pale lips and lifeless face. "Ally!" but she never answered—every time she never answered. Dark hair framed eyes that stared at nothing, slipping farther from him by the second.

"Fuck!" He jumped to a seated position. Sweat beaded on his forehead, traveling down his bare arms. It was because of her that the nightmares were coming back. It was all because of Eva. The same thing was happening all over again, he could feel it. Another woman he cared deeply for was going to die, because she didn't listen and because he couldn't make her listen.

She had kissed him today. Her lips felt like velvet against his broken skin. Her touch was so gentle, her heart opened to him as her lips had and he had let himself lose control. Even thinking about her sleeping peacefully in the next room... the other night he told himself he would keep his eyes on the door, the window; but they kept drifting back to her. Her pouted lips, her chest rising and falling with every peaceful breath. A last piece of innocence in a fucked-up world. Whoever her Father was, he already hated him for leaving her to be chewed apart by the executive board like that. He wanted to protect her. He wanted to protect her for longer than these two short weeks.

But she didn't deserve the likes of him. He was a selfish and battered dog with the scars to prove it. He thought if he became a bodyguard he could protect the ones he loved, but that wasn't the case.

Then, he kept thinking about the message from Lench yesterday. 'Transfer 15% of the money by Friday.' He didn't have the money yet, and Lench despised late payments. Fuck.

That's it. The only way he could save Eva now was to be nowhere near her. He would gradually distance himself from her until his job here was done, then leave quietly into the oblivion while Charles filled the void. He ran a trembling hand through his mussed hair. She deserved to find a good man like Charles, one that could actually keep her safe.

It was the only thing he could do now, if they ever found him again...

*******

We were packed and ready to leave. I couldn't help but wonder why Will had been acting strange all morning. Something was... different and it wasn't a good difference. His eyes were back to looking guarded and he barely spoke a word to me all that morning.

Woody and Pia loaded my luggage on board Dad's jet and we fastened our seatbelts for the flight ahead. Will and I were in two leather seats facing each other and Gio and Charles had seated at the extended table. My eyes were focused on Will almost the entire flight, although his were kept trained on the window. The only reason I could feel his behavior was justified was our kiss yesterday. It was passionate, it was rash, and it somehow filled a hole in my heart that had been there ever since I first heard that my Father died. But maybe he didn't feel the same. I bit my lip, wondering what to say.

"I'm going to miss the estate."

He nodded, staring out the window. "Mhmm."

What the hell crawled up his butt and died? I crossed my arms assertively. "Is something wrong?" I finally said. He looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"No. Why do you ask?" Ugh, there must be some kind of handbook out there on how to deal with men like this. I pursed my lips and stayed silent. Two could play at this game.

We reached about 25,000 feet and I glanced over at Gio and Charles, who appeared to be deep in discussion about something. Gio looked very handsome in his black turtleneck and combed red hair; A genuine Scottsman. When he saw me looking over, he excused himself from Charles and sat in the seat next to mine.

"How are we doing over here, Miss? Anyone ready for a drink?"

"I am." I answered without hesitation. He glanced at Will with a puzzled expression on his face.

"A drink for you too, Lad?"

"No, thank you." Gio shrugged and left for the mini bar. I was beginning to fidget with a bothersome string on my white blouse. Will was making me more uncomfortable by the second.

"Look." I said. "If this is about the... kiss yesterday, just tell me."

He looked into my eyes and his body visibly tensed. Those captivating dark eyes looked pained all of the sudden. He opened his mouth to say something, then stopped. "I'm just trying to do my job, Ms. Westfeild."

So we were back there were we? Ugh, to think he had the nerve to let me kiss him like that was astonishing! I was seriously one iota away from giving up on his species altogether. At least he had the decency to act this way before we did something else unworthy of mentioning, not that I had any intention of that happening whatsoever.

"I think it's time for a toast." Gio walked up then looked from me to Will nervously. He mouthed 'is this a bad time?'

"Absolutely not." I replied aloud, and took the drink gratefully. Will shifted his focus to Gio and I.

"What's the toast?"

"What do you want it to be?" He asked.

I thought for a second. "To my Father and to our upcoming adventure in Greece." I decided.

Gio smiled. "Appropriate."

I took one sip and almost spat it back out. "What the hell is this?"

Gio began to laugh so hard that he slapped his thigh. "Scottish Whiskey 'ill do that to a person!" He lowered his voice, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "My choice, not your Father's."

Of course, silly Gio. To get my mind off of the situation with Will, I began thinking of the steps to take once we reached Greece.

"Isn't the benefactor's ball in Santorini?" I asked, cautiously setting the whiskey down. Gio shook his head.

"Athens-where we'll be landing. You and Will are going to take a small plane in continuation to Santorini."

Just what I wanted. A private excursion with the attractive-but-cranky bodyguard of the year. I couldn't spend time alone with him, it would be too awkward now. "But, don't you want to see what's in the safe?" My eyes practically begged.

"On the contrary, my dear." He winked. "It's between you and your Father now. I think I've meddled enough."

Will returned his gaze to the outside. Gio leaned in close to my ear. "Everything okay between you and Will?" He whispered.

I don't even think I knew the answer to that. "Yeah, why?"

He started to rub the bottom of his chin again. "Just asking." He gulped down the rest of his whiskey and I hoped my feeling of disgust for the foul-tasting liquid didn't transfer to my facial expression.

"Don't feel bad, no one gets it in their first try." He replaced the short glass in my hand with a tall glass of wine. I had the feeling it was going to take me more than a few attempts to finish a glass of Scottish whiskey off. I smiled inwardly, making a mental note to tell Holly about it later. I remembered that her Dad loved Scottish Whiskey.

"I still can't believe you're married." I looked at Gio in disbelief.

"Why can't you? Am I not charming enough?"

I shook my head vigorously. "I guess I just never thought about it. What's her name?"

"Allison." I heard William's breath hitch. He looked quickly at Gio then down, as if he'd just been caught. What was it he said? Allison? I thought for a second. It must have been someone he knew named Allison? His Mom? Girlfriend? I shuttered at the thought, secretly praying that the reason he was treating me this way wasn't because he currently had a girlfriend. I tried to stay in the present with what Gio was saying.

"I would really like to meet her. Allison." I said.

"You will." He winked. "I'm flying her down to Athens, as my date for the charity event."

Date... I didn't have a date! Oh well, I certainly wasn't about to ask Mr. Debbie Downer. I was trying hard not to picture our kiss. Desperate for a diversion I turned my attention to Charles, who seemed to be playing a silent game of cards to himself, his one good arm holding 5 cards as he analyzed.

"Will the Mrs. be joining us also?"

He shook his head sadly. "She's on Mom duty this weekend. The boys have a football tournament." I had to remember that soccer in the US meant football in Europe. I heard a ping on Gio's computer and he quickly went over to check it.

As his eyes scanned the screen, a wide smirk covered his face "I think I may have just found something on our little friend from LA."

Author's Note

Was glad to be able to give a glimpse of Will's past to you all in this chapter, there's so much more of the story to tell! I have a lot of action planned for the next few. What do you think Eva's Father left for her in the "safe?" ;)