Page 13 of His Sweet Torment
“Henry told me there was a note with Chaley’s body? What did it say?”
Padme felt cold inside. They hadn’t told him about the threat to her.Good.Good, that was for the best because otherwise, he would send her away. “Just making sure you got the message. Forensics took care of it, I really didn’t read much of it.”
Enver seemed happy about that. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.Mio Dio…I am crazy for dragging you into this world. I am selfish.”
Padme kissed his cheek. “You didn’t drag me anywhere, I came willingly. It’s you and me now, whether it’s publicly known or not. I’ve said it before – I’d take a bullet for you.”
“And I’m going to ask you to stop saying that because it makes me want to break down.” But he said it with a smile on his face. He leaned his forehead against hers. “I don’t think the F.B.I. knows what to do with me. Once my testimony is over, I’m cut loose.”
Padme shook her head. “No…look, they’re offering witness protection. Take it.”
Enver’s smile faded. “They won’t let me see you again. That’s not an option. Look, it’s not as if I haven’t got the resources to disappear from public life on my own recognisance.”
“But why should you have to?” Padme felt a little hysterical. “It isn’t fair.”
He swept his hand through her hair and held her face in his hands. “Who said life had to be fair? As long as I have you, nothing else matters.”
“You’ll always have me.”
“Good.”
There was a knock at the door, and they moved apart, trying to look as casual as possible as one of the security guards, Sean, came in.
“Agent Kaur, we haven’t met, I’m Sean Gray, head of security here.”
Padme stood and shook the man’s hand. “Good to meet you. We should sit down and discuss Mr. Toscano’s protection while he’s here – I understand you’ve been working in shifts?”
Sea Gray gave her a bemused look. “We should also discuss your protection too, Agent Kaur.”
Oh, damn it.Padme could feel Enver’s stare. “I’m good, as long as Mr. Toscano is good.”
Sean nodded. “That’s fair enough, but we have specific orders to protect the both of you because of the threats.”
“Someone threatened Agent Kaur?” Enver’s voice was hard.
Padme glared at Sean, who finally caught on. “It’s standard procedure when a protectee’s safe house is compromised to then protect the lead agents.” It was a weak lie, but Padme was grateful for him trying.
Sean made his excuses, obviously embarrassed and left them alone. Padme could feel the weight of Enver’s stare as she turned to face him.
“Cara mia,” she saw him barely contain his anger, “we’re going to sit down, and you’re going to tell me exactly what the fuck is going on.”
Padme lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling. She’d escaped here after she and Enver had their very first argument, Enver furious that she’d lied about the threats to her safety. She’d shot back that she was a big girl and could look after herself. Enver had lost it then, and Padme realized just how scared he was of losing her.
“Do you know what they did to Julia?” He had raged at her, “I do. I saw the photos…theyguttedher, Padme. They cut her baby from her and killed them both. In front of Max. Look what they did to Chaley. Do you think they won’t do it to you?Mio Dio, Padme, mio Dio…”
Eventually, she had left him to fume and came to find a bedroom to lie down in. Should she have told him about the threats?
Probably. Padme sighed and grabbed her cell phone and dialed the number of the only person she could talk to about this.
“Hey, cutie.”
“Hey, D. Can you talk?”
“Sure,” Dale sounded out of breath, “It’ll give me an excuse to stop working out. How’s the love nest?”
“Not very loving. Enver found out about the note.”
“Uh-oh. I assume he didn’t take it well.”
