Surrendered(59)

He opens the passenger door for me, and I slide into the cool leather of the large saloon car. I turn the air con up, and bask in the icy air blowing through the vents.

“Warm?” He asks as he gets behind the wheel.

“I really didn’t think Monaco would be this warm in November.”

He smiles. “Why do you think so many rich people have houses in Monaco?”

“Uh, for the tax dodge.” Obviously.

“It’s the perfect place to live. No taxes and lots of sunshine.”

“I could be persuaded.” I tease.

He tilts his head in my direction and cocks an eyebrow. “I don’t know, I’m starting to hate the place.”



We’re staying in a hotel in Monte Carlo. Theo tells me that the last time he was here he stayed in Hugo’s apartment, on the beach front. I am more than happy to stay there, but he says he wouldn’t take me there. I’m guessing because it’s a revolving door of cheap women and spunk stained upholstery. Still, if you think about it, a hotel really isn’t much better. No matter how expensive it is, other people have still had sex on the mattress. Granted, no-one could possibly be as disgusting as Hugo, but still.

The Hermitage Hotel screams opulence wherever you look. The floors are all gold veined marble, with glittering chandeliers hanging from the high ceilings. I’ll be honest in saying that it’s really not my thing. I always feel like I have to be on show in these kinds of places. It’s here that the differences between Theo and I become glaringly obvious. He’s completely at ease in these surroundings. I suppose he’s used to it, entitled even.

We board one of the lifts, which takes us to a suite on the top floor. He slides the key card into the heavy wooden door and holds it open for me. The sound of my heals is muted by the thick carpet under foot. I kick them off on my way to the open window. I can smell the ocean, I can even hear it crashing against the shore. The setting sun reflects off the water, painting everything in shades of orange and red.

I feel Theo step up behind me. His fingers graze my shoulder and trail down my arm as his breath caresses the back of my neck. “You okay, sugar?” He asks. He keeps asking me that, as if I’m about to fall apart at any minute. I’m not. I’m fine. I have him.

I nod. “It’s so beautiful. I love the beach.”

He wraps his arm around my waist and rests his chin on my shoulder. “I took you for a city girl.”

I smile. “Never, I was a country girl first.” Harry and I grew up in a fairly wealthy part of Kent. Our father was a businessman, but his family were farmers. He loved the open space. He used to say that it was his haven from the strains of the city. Thinking of my father makes me smile, but it also makes me sad. He would turn in his grave if he knew what had become of the family he left behind.

I have twenty four hours here in Monte Carlo, and I should probably be exploring, or doing something, but I’m so tired. The massive four poster bed is calling my name. Theo, of course doesn’t care. “Whatever you want, sugar.” He tells me. “I’ll order us something to eat, and then you can go to sleep.” He checks his watch. “You do realise it’s only eight o’ clock right?” He frowns.

I nod. “Don’t care.”



In the end, he manages to coax me into having a bath with him. Such hardships I endure. I’m sat between his legs, with my back pressed to his chest. I can’t help but think about what will happen to us if we can’t fix everything tomorrow. My heart hurts to think of leaving him, but he can’t come with me.

“Theo, you do know that if I have to run, you can’t actually come with me.” I say quietly.

“It won’t come to that.” He says quickly.

I turn and glance over my shoulder at him. “It might, and you know it.”

He takes a deep breath and sets his jaw. “Well, let’s cross that bridge if we get to it.” He’s so bloody stubborn. I won’t let him sacrifice everything to follow me. I have nothing to offer him if I have to go on the run, and Harry was right, Theo won’t help us if we’re trying to remain inconspicuous.

“Theo.” I say his name quietly. He doesn’t look at me. I turn around until I’m on my knees in front of him. “Theo.” I grab his chin, forcing him to look at me. “You cannot leave. You have too much to lose.”

His eyebrows drop into a deep frown. “You’re wrong.” The tension radiates from him in waves. I get that he’s trying to be positive, but we need to be realistic. He needs to be realistic. He can’t come chasing after me on a whim. Aside from all his business commitments, he has people relying on him.