Page 41 of Walking the Bird

“D-Derek.”

Cade was beside Melinda in an instant. He couldn't stand the frailness in her voice. Wrapping his arms around her, he placed a kiss to her temple. “It’s okay, babe. Nothing to be afraid of—”

“Derek J. Silvers of Vienna, Austria.” Slate interrupted, mildly impressed with the vast holdings the man possessed. “Owner of more than forty luxury resorts, including Cabana Bay, and the illustrious Magnolia Cove. Ranked third on Forbes list of richest men in the world. Says he’s an avid poker player.”

Alex felt a wave of nausea hit him. While he had a sizable bank account, it was nowhere close to making him a billionaire. Eleni wasn’t materialistic, but with the way he’d been neglecting her, he wouldn't blame her for trading up.

“Didn't you say this Silvers guy introduced himself when we checked in?” Keeping his focus on the screen, Ryan stared into the unfamiliar dark eyes of the man on the screen.

“Yes.”

Turning his laptop around, “Then tell me why I’ve never seen this motherfucker in my life?”

Eleni grittedher teeth in an effort to keep the questions from flying out of her mouth. She didn't know how, but she was one-hundred percent certain she was standing several feet underground. Pipes of all sizes ran along the walls and ceiling around her, the hum of something mechanical buzzing in her ears.

“Amazing, isn't it?”

Dropping her gaze from the workings overhead, an odd sense of embarrassment warmed her cheeks.

“I’m sorry…” She trailed off, ducking her head.

“No need for apology, Beautiful. Besides,” Derek’s face lit up as he placed his thumb on the keypad. “We’re here.” Opening the door wide, “Ladies first.”

Nodding, Eleni accepted the offer, stepping over what reminded her of a hatch on a military ship. Inside, the room was completely dark, halting her progression.

“Let me get the lights.” Eleni could feel Derek’s breath washing over her cheek, the warmth of his touch seeping through the thin fabric of her dress. Taking a steadying breath, she slammed her eyes closed as bright fluorescent lights blinded her.

“I should have warned you to shield your eyes.” Derek took her hand in his, guiding her into the room. Slowly, Eleni opened her eyes, surprised to find a make shift desk with a laptop sitting in the middle.

“Can I get you something to drink, Eleni?”

“Where am I?” The question was out of her mouth before she could stop it.

“My sanctuary of sorts.”

“Sanctuary?” Eleni laughed in an attempt to recover. “You live on a tropical island, everywhere you step is a sanctuary.”

“For some,” Derek agreed, waving his hand in invitation to the loveseat against the metal wall. “For others, like myself, sanctuary is having control of the world around you, being free to do as you please without repercussion.”

“A world with no rules?” Eleni clarified, not bothering to hide her amused tone. “Sounds like something from a dystopian novel.”

Smiling, Derek dropped his body into a bank of chairs, stretching his arms along the back of the two on either side of him.

“I can assure you, my world is far from crumbling buildings and a struggling society. Although…” Derek trailed off, falling silent as he considered how to proceed.

“Although?” Eleni prodded, eager to hear the crux of his story so she could proceed with the beginning of the next chapter of hers.

“I’m sorry,” Derek pointed to the desk across from him. “I got lost in my head for a moment. Please, make your reservations.”

Not wanting to appear rude or anxious, Eleni slid into the chair, tapping the spacebar and bringing the computer to life, crossing her fingers she could find a flight leaving in the next few hours.

“Now, where was I?”

“Sanctuary,” Eleni deadpanned as she typed her destination into another search engine. “Your rule free life.”

“I can understand your inability to understand how my world works, Eleni. If I had to guess, you’ve spent your entire life abiding by one rule after another, taking the voice of authority as a guide book for how you must live your life.”

Sending Derek a side glance, “It's called polite society. Whether you like it or not, you play the game like the rest of us, by paying your taxes, stopping at red lights, and holding the door for the guy behind you.”

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