Chapter Sixteen: Elijah

"I don't like it. Putting Colette in harms way by taunting Howard isn't the best way to go about this. He's smart. He'll see right through your plan." Ali folds her arms over her chest.

"That's where Maciek comes in. Tell them what Howard asked you on Tuesday."

I watch my long time friend straighten himself up and adjust his tie like he's about to give a grand speech to the people.

"He asked me if Elijah had feelings for Colette. And that should I suspect or have proof of there being signs or if Elijah sleeps with her, I am to report back. My loyalty is worth one million to him, on top of the agreed price to bring you home,"he itches his cheek with one of his thick fingers while avoiding eye contact with Colette.

"So what do you propose we do?" Colette leans forward, her cleavage squeezing together as her arms close around them.

"It's simple. Maciek "catches" picture evidence of me leaving the apartment with you in a compromising position."

"I'm sure you two don't need to stage a picture." Ali snorts.

"Maciek gets a couple of shots then sends them straight to Howard to see. That way it looks like Maciek is playing good little soldier."

I place my hand on Colette's knee when I notice her nervously picking at the skin around her nails.

"We need to get him here and out that ivory tower."

"And then what?" Alison's agitation is growing more evident. Of course she's worried, maybe even scared as to what will happen when Howard takes the bate and comes to collect his wife. God knows what he'll do if he gets his hands on Ali for helping her leave and keeping her hidden.

"We rig the apartment with recording devices."

"That sounds like a plan made by a child."

"The FBI do it," Maciek retorts. Colettes chair scrapes across the kitchen floor as she gets to her feet. Her face pale.

"I need a minute."

Ali goes to follow her but I'm already on my feet and tailing her out to the fire escape.

"Lettie."

"I can't do it. I cant see him, Elijah. Ali is right. God knows what hell do to me. To her. And he won't come alone. He'll bring his bodyguards and-"

"Lettie," I take her face in my hands. "I won't let him lay a finger on you."

I brush her hair from her face. Those shining blue eyes look back at me, tears brimming on her bottom lids. I kiss her nose and rest my head on hers. She makes a move first, tilting her head up and placing those quivering lips on mine. She tastes of coffee as she takes control of my mouth. My resolve waivers. After this morning, there's nothing I've wanted to do more than keep her locked up in her room. It's been a hell of a week, to say the least. Three months ago I had every intention of leading her back to her abusive husband, but now… now I want her to myself. The thought of her being with anyone else angers me. She kisses me with such desperation, that it's near impossible not to sink my fingers beneath the band of her joggers and between her thighs to see if this moment is having the same effect on her as it is on me.

"Elijah,"she moans against my lips. "Let's run far from here where no one knows us."

"I wish it was as simple as that. But he'll find you wherever we go."

"Then… then let's make it a magnificent spectacle."

Colette's plan seemed to be the most favourable one amongst the four of us, although my plan to keep things more contained would have been better. She wants everyone to know what she suffered at Howard's hands, so in a surprising turn, her and Ali spent a couple of days making some anonymous calls to the paparazzi that Pop star Colette McMannon is here in August with a mystery man. Dressed in acid washed skinny jeans and an oversized white shirt unbuttoned to show a bit of my tanned, toned skin, I lean against a metal fence in the town square. I watching for camera's while Colette transforms into the star that she's been hiding from the world for seven months. I scroll my phone, checking the internet for anything posted about her from the top entertainment outlets.

"Been waiting long?"

I lift my head to the soft, sweet voice I had been waiting on. Dressed in a strappy, yellow sun dress covered in daisies with thick auburn wig pulled into a half ponytail is the lady of the hour. She radiates elegance and innocence, just how Howard had made her to be perceived.

"I'd wait a life time for you."

Her cheeks flush as her hand reaches for my shirt collar and pulls me down to meet her nude painter lips. My arm snakes around her waist, pulling her tightly against my chest. She smells like citrus. Lemons and oranges to be precise.

"How do you look incredible in everything?"

"Not everything," she blushed.

"You're right. You look best in absolutely nothing."

"Behave."

"How can I when you look like that? I cant wait for this to all be over so I can do nasty things to you in that dress," I whisper in her ear. Something shines in our direction that catches my eye.

"Its show time."

I take her hand, spinning her around under my arm and resting it over her shoulders. We stroll through the square. More and more people watch cameras appear and attempt to hide in the hopes of getting the perfect snap.

"Do you think this will do it?" she looks at me, an angelic smile plastered on that freckled face of hers. Its all for the camera. She may be smiling but her body trembles in my arms.

"I think so, though there's one more thing."

I cup her face and close the distance between us. I'm sure there are already pictures from our kiss earlier but I can't help myself. I bury my tongue in her mouth, swirling and gliding over hers. Her knees buckle slightly and I grab her, holding her against me. When I pull back, the flustered expression on her facehas me smiling adoringly at her.

"I want us to go home. Right now."

It seems I have the same affect on her as she does me. I let her go, brushing my hand through my hair.

"Go. I'll join you shortly."

She nods, biting her lip slightly. Her hand slides down my arm and squeeze mine before she glides away in those little wedged heels. I watch her cross the road and towards the direction of the shop down the street. I know she'll be followed so I text Ali to let her know she's walking back so she can meet her half way. This is it. The news of Colette will be online within the hour, prompting that arsehole to fly out. I watch the paps getting in their cars and vans. Some hang behind to catch snaps of me. Hopefully the pictures are clear enough to ruffle Howard's feathers even more when he sees I've done the one thing he warned me not to do. I tap Maciek's number and listen to it ring a couple of times before he picks up.

"Its done. I'm heading back now."

"Yes boss."

His voice sounds weird, strained, but I pay no mind. I hang up and start my way back to the apartment in the opposite direction.