Page 79 of Sapphire

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ZOE

“I’m going crazy,” Gracie moans.

I totally understand what she means. We have been locked up in a gilded cage for the past three weeks. They are no closer to finding Nikolai and his crew. Gracie and I are not allowed to leave the house, even though the boys are able to attend meetings and events.

“I know, but just think of this as a forced holiday.” I try to make it sound better than it is because, in all honesty, I’m two seconds from throttling my sister. I love her, but being in confined quarters with her for so long is driving me insane. The only link to the outside world is our FaceTime sessions with our parents and sisters.

“Zoe, come on, can we not go shopping or something?” Gracie whines.

I pace the living room. I’m going stir-crazy too.

“Look, we have an army of bodyguards outside, get one of them to drive us into town, and he can even come in with us, anywhere. I don’t care if he has to handcuff us to each other and to him, I just need to get out of the house.”

“Fine, I’ll ask,” I say, picking up my phone and giving Mateo and Tomas a call. The boys are in meetings today, so hopefully one of them will pick up. I’d feel bad just leaving without them knowing where we’re going. I’m sure they’ll freak out, but at least they’ll know where we are.

“Cariño,” Tomas answers the phone.

“Hey, I have to ask you something and please don’t freak out.”

The line is quiet.

“Gracie and I want to go into town and look around. We’ve been stuck in the house for weeks and we’re going crazy.” I sound just as whiny as my sister.

“I don’t like this, Zoe,” Tomas says sternly into the phone.

“Please,” I beg.

“Mateo is not going to like this, you know that. But …”

I fist-pump the air and do a little happy dance, showing Gracie that we are being granted permission.

“Enrique says that Nikolai has been spotted back in Russia, but the threat is still there. You take the guards, you hear me? Never let them out of your sight.”

“Yes, I promise.”

“I’m sorry you’ve been locked up in that house for so long. I’ll call the security guys and run through it with them.”

“Are you going to break it to Mateo? Because I know he is going to be upset.”

“Yes, I know how to handle him,” he grumbles. “In my desk there’s a credit card. I want you two to go crazy, okay? To make up for all the days stuck in confinement.”

“Tomas, no, it’s too much.”

“Hush, Zoe, please do this for me,” Gracie adds.

“Okay, I’ll make sure I buy something we can all enjoy together.” I lower my voice to a whisper.

“Good girl, but still buy some fun things for you. I had better go. Love you, Zoe.”

“Love you too.” And with that he hangs up.

I run into the office, find his black credit card, and return to Gracie, waving it in the air.

“Shopping spree!” she screams, and we jump up and down, all giddy.

After getting a full security briefing from our security team we head into the small village near the house. Gracie and I are filled with excited anticipation. I didn’t realize how much I needed to get out of the house until we are sitting in the car.

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