Chapter 20: Tangled Hearts and Dangerous Games
The moon bathed the Zanzibari shoreline in silver, casting its glow over the waves like a guardian of secrets. Gentle waves kissed the soft sand, and the air buzzed with the scent of salt, coconut oil, and something unspoken. Faith Kamau lay nestled against Lucas's chest in their beachside villa, the only light flickering from the open terrace where moonlight shimmered across the marble tiles.
Lucas's fingers played with a loose curl of her hair. He loved this version of her—barefaced, calm, unguarded. And yet he could still sense the storm swirling behind her quiet eyes.
"You always look like you're about to tell me something you're not sure I can handle," he said, voice low.
Faith looked up at him. "Maybe I am."
He arched an eyebrow. "Try me."
"I've never felt safer," she whispered, fingers tracing invisible circles on his chest, "and that terrifies me."
Lucas leaned in, brushing her lips with his. "Don't be afraid of peace. Be afraid of the ones who try to take it from you."
Their kiss deepened—warm, then fiery. Her body melted into his as the sound of the ocean became a distant hum. For the first time since they arrived, they gave in to the illusion: that they were free, untouched by the shadows of their past.
He carried her to the bed, slowly undressing her with reverence. Every touch was tender, every movement deliberate. Their lovemaking was not frantic or rushed but a quiet rebellion against the chaos of the world they'd escaped from. He kissed her as though she was a prayer, she held him as if she feared he'd vanish with the morning light.
---
Earlier That Day — Lucas's Secret Call
Lucas stood on the balcony, watching the waves, when his encrypted phone buzzed.
A cold, synthetic voice filtered through.
"They're getting close to Jana Kalinová. The files have been accessed. Protocol Eleven has been activated."
Lucas felt the blood drain from his face. Protocol Eleven meant scorched earth.
"Status on Amara?" he asked.
"Still alive. But for how long depends on how quiet she stays. Your girlfriend is also under scrutiny. Recent activity flagged her."
"She's clean."
"No one's clean, Lucas. Not in Markus's world. And especially not his former mistresses."
Lucas ended the call and gripped the railing hard enough to turn his knuckles white.
Faith was asleep inside, wrapped in white linen like a goddess. She had no idea how close danger loomed—or maybe she did. Maybe, like him, she was just pretending to forget.
---
Later That Afternoon — A Taste of Paradise
They rode bicycles through the sleepy coastal village. Children waved at them, and vendors smiled under wide straw hats. Faith bargained over jewelry with a local woman, laughing as she slipped an anklet onto her leg. Lucas took pictures—her throwing her head back in laughter, sunlight bouncing off her skin. He imagined framing it. Hanging it in a home they didn't yet own.
They ended the day on a dhow, sailing into the sunset. Faith leaned against Lucas as the sail flapped in the wind.
"Do you ever wonder if we're just stealing moments we can't afford?" she asked.
Lucas looked at her. "I think we've paid enough."
---
That Night — Secrets and Softness
In their villa, Lucas prepared a candlelit dinner. Seafood pasta, grilled pineapple, spiced rice. Faith sat across from him, watching with amused suspicion.
"You cook?" she asked.
"I survive," he smirked. "Cooking just keeps me from losing my mind."
She poured the wine. "So what kept you sane before me?"
He looked her dead in the eyes. "Nothing."
She swallowed. Hard.
Their dinner was full of banter and long glances. Afterwards, they slow danced on the terrace, barefoot on the cool tiles. Lucas hummed to a song only he could hear. Faith rested her head on his shoulder.
"I could do this forever," she whispered.
"Let's try one day at a time," he said.
---
Next Morning — An Empty Bed
Lucas awoke to sunlight pouring through gauzy curtains. The spot beside him was cold. A note lay on the pillow.
Went for a walk. Needed to clear my head. Don't worry. Love you.
He bolted upright.
On the nightstand—his burner phone.
One missed call.
Unknown number.
He played the voicemail.
"Tell your girl not to play spy. She was seen at the docks last night, asking the wrong questions. Markus doesn't like questions. You have forty-eight hours to disappear—or she does."
He swore violently and grabbed his keys.
---
Elsewhere on the Island — Faith's Reckoning
Faith stood near the edge of a weather-worn lighthouse, gazing at the endless blue. In her palm, a flash drive. It was warm from being in her pocket all night.
The night before, while Lucas slept, she'd met a contact—an ex-IT guy from one of Markus's companies. Desperate. Guilty. Ready to sell truth for his silence.
The flash drive held damning evidence: client lists, transactions, and most horrifying—a list of assets.
She was listed as Asset 27.
She nearly vomited. Her fingers tightened around the drive. How could she have ever believed Markus loved her? How had she been so blind?
Footsteps.
She turned sharply.
Lucas.
His expression was thunderous.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" he barked.
Faith held up the flash drive. "I found something. Markus's files. Names. Details. And me."
Lucas grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into the shadows of the lighthouse. "Do you have any idea what they'll do to you if they find you with that?"
"I had to know," she said, voice trembling. "I needed to be more than a pretty puppet. I needed to understand who I was to him. To myself."
Lucas exhaled. "You are not a pawn. Not anymore."
Tears glistened in her eyes. "Then help me bring him down."
He cupped her face. "We will. But not by dying first."
They kissed—ferociously, desperately. The sea churned below as the camera hidden in the rocks silently streamed every second… directly to Markus.
---
Back in Nairobi — Markus Watches
Markus lounged in his robe, eyes glued to the live feed. He sipped his espresso as Lucas and Faith kissed.
"Romantic fools," he muttered.
Mikhail entered. "They retrieved the flash drive."
Markus raised an eyebrow. "Good. Let them think they've won something."
"What if they share it?"
Markus smiled. "Then the next footage they see will be Faith's mother. Or Lucas's former handler. Everyone bleeds eventually."
---
That Night — Back at the Villa
Lucas set the drive on the table.
"Encrypted. I can crack it, but it'll take time."
Faith handed him a cup of strong black tea. "Then we don't sleep until it's open."
He looked at her, something solemn in his gaze. "This… this could change everything. Or get us killed."
Faith sat beside him. "Then we die knowing we tried."