Page 39 of Mafia Beast

Charlie

It’sobvious what he’s undertaken here on his island. He’s not operating a human trafficking ring.

He’s the leader of a movement risking everything to destroy one.

And now, I’m an accomplice.

I can’t leave.

I wouldn’t do anything to put those women further into harm’s way. Nikolaos and Rockland are concerned that if I leave the island, the secret could somehow leave with me. Or, God forbid, be drawn from me. These are bad men, the worst of the worst, running this ring. Who knows what kind of spies they have out in the world?

I’m safer here. The women are safer if I stay. Besides, I want to help. And I’m no longer afraid of the Beast. It turns out Nikolaos isn’t only a Greek god. He’s a superhero.

Which complicates my already confused myriad of thoughts.

When there was a chance he was a bad dude, it was easy to convince myself I should be staying away from him. But now? After getting glimpses of the real him, his softer side, hearing about his past, and finding out he’s trying to save the world…

I’ve no reason to stay away from him.

But it’s not my castle.

And he’s not my man.

So, one would say I should keep to myself.

But I’m me, Charlie Bachman. I can’t hear someone’s having a bad day without baking a casserole. I’m not going to be able to stay away from that boathouse. I know that about myself.

What I wouldn’t have guessed about myself is that I can’t stay away from him. I’d sworn off men. I’d promised my cursed little self that I’d never date again. But here I am, perfectly happy with the fact I can’t leave. I blame it on that little she-devil living on my shoulder. That and the throbbing in my core that starts to hum like a heartbeat every time the darn man gets within arm’s reach of me.

He’s having all my clothing and personal effects shipped here from my townhouse in a few days. He said it’s not forever, just for now, and he wants me to be comfortable. I lack for nothing. When the shipments of chocolates I’d ordered for the girls came in with the sun this morning, there were three extra boxes of assorted pieces with my name on them.

And one bar of milk chocolate. Its tag read,For little Alice, as sweet as chocolate and strong as stone.

Courtesy of him.

He’d called up Lush and tacked the items onto my order. It’s enough chocolate to last me months, especially now that I’m no longer alone, buried under blankets and tissues, crying on my couch.

I slip my favorite, a milk chocolate filled with creamy caramel, between my lips. I’m never alone here. And I’m not unhappy.

I’m… happy. I have been since I arrived on this whirlwind of an adventure. A little confused by my emotions and desires, sure. There were a few harrowing moments when I thought Nikolaos was a sex trafficker, yes.

Have I experienced moments of white-hot shame and self-hatred?

Of course.

But the sexcapades were magnificent. The dinner date—was it adate,date? —was the most fun I’ve had in a long time, connecting one on one with another person over delicious food and wine, in an incredibly romantic atmosphere. Meeting Dr. Williams, who calmed my fears. Being involved in helping women who desperately need to see a kind face. The exciting adventure of staying in a castle.

With a real-life Beast.

This kidnapping has lifted me out of my dark cloud, giving me hope for better days to come. Will those days be with him by my side while I stay here? Time will tell. I have no idea what to expect. I only know I’m feeling drawn to that boathouse and I’m going to chase that feeling.

I dress comfy but take more time on my hair and makeup than I care to admit, even adding a splash of perfume before I walk out the door. I head down to the kitchen where Remy waits for me.

This morning, the two of us are making the girls crepes. He’s been in on what’s been happening at the boathouse as he’s been cooking for our guests. We’ll fill the crepes with fresh fruit and serve them with several protein options that Remy was already planning on, to help refuel their energy after their journey.

It’s too dangerous to have the women come to the castle to dine, so I’ve gotten Nikolaos’s permission to set up an empty room in the back of the boathouse as a dining room. For now, it’s just a few folding tables and chairs we found in the back of the basement, but later today, I’ll be calling all my favorite stores in the city to put in an order. By the end of the week, the boathouse will have its own dining room. While Remy finishes up with the cooking, I excuse myself to go to the greenhouse. I carefully cut bouquets of the orange mums and pink treasure flowers I spied the other day, to pretty up my card tables for breakfast.

Remy let me snoop around the butler’s pantry, pulling linens and tableware for what I’m now calling in my head the Welcome Breakfast. Pippa helps me spread the brightly colored floral-patterned tablecloths I found in the back of a drawer over the tables.

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