Vera’s POV.
Charlie makes way for me to step out before he does.
Then he walks me down a round of staircase.
“Are we really going to climb the stairs?” I ask in bemusement, watching what appears to be twenty staircases.
“Yes, darling. Don’t give up just yet.”
I grumble before nodding.
Charlie and I take the stairs, wheezing a breath until we land on the last one and Charlie tugs open a door that leads into a new world.
“Oh, my God!” I yelp in utter shock as I step out onto the rooftop, my eyes dancing around the various buildings in the streets.
I didn’t know it was already nightfall until now, and the beaming lights across the buildings and streets contrast with the night sky, creating a perfection that only makes my mouth gape.
I’ve never been to a rooftop, especially not for a skyscraper like this.
“This is amazing, Charlie.” I beam, taking in the city vista, drinking in the beauty that makes it up.
“I knew you’d like it.” He says.
I barrel toward the ledge, holding the rail as I gaze down at the cavalcade of cars rolling through the streets and basking in the dull hum of car horns and chatter of the pedestrians.
“Ah, Ms. Vera.”
I whip my head back on hearing Charlie call out to me.
He grimaces as he takes a peek at his watch.
“My time is already up, I need to retire for the day.” He says.
“That’s sad. I actually want to spend more time here.” I bicker.
“Oh, sure you can. Just feel free.” He tells me and I beam.
Once he leaves, I focus back on the city before me, loving the sight, the air, the symphony of white noises.
It’s all perfect.
Well, the moment grows more perfect the instant I feel the arms of the man I love trapping my body to his from behind me.
“How come I didn’t hear you walk in?” I say, not looking back.
His scent and body already tell me it’s him.
He chuckles-the sounds resonating within me, straight to my womanhood.
“I’ll want to come in as a ghost in the night and steal the woman in red forever, without her knowing.” He chants, pressing a quick kiss to my earlobe.
“Hmm…where did you learn that line?” I ask, wanting to humor him.
“Ouch. Baby, are you saying I can’t create perfect pickup lines in my head without reading it anywhere?” He feigns hurt.
I use that momentum and turn, looking into his dark eyes.
“I didn’t imply that. But this sure sounds like something you learned somewhere.”
I enjoy the look of defeat on his face. Then. “I was watching a romance movie earlier. It’s where I learned it.”
“Hahahaha…” I bark a laugh and he follows too. “I never pegged you as one that’s into romance. I thought it was all business?”
He rolls his eyes at me, sagging his lips a little. “Things change when it comes to you.”
Those words cause a blush to warm my cheeks.
“Incredible,” I mutter.
“Nah.” He shakes his head. “What’s incredible is how fucking beautiful you’re becoming and how crazily in love I’m with you, baby.”
Jeez, so words have such power to erupt a volcano inside someone? I never knew, ’cause right now, my whole body is on fire, humming in tone with his emotions for me.
“I love you so much, Vera.” He says, capturing my chin in his fingers, so he can raise my head up and look into my eyes.
“I…love you too. So much.”
He smiles, kissing my cheeks chastely.
David whirls me around again, pressing me into his body, his chin nestling on my head as we watch the beautiful sight before us.
“I love this moment.” His voice cuts through the silence roaming through us.
“Why?”
I feel his gush of breath. Then. “It’s just us against the world.”
*
*
David’s POV.
It’s just us against the world. That’s what I want.
That’s what I desire.
That’s what I thought as I stashed guns into my car.
For Vera.
For me.
For Us.
That’s what I thought when I took my first kill, preparing to take another.
That’s what I thought when I asked Charlie to bring Vera up here.
Holding her this close, I know without doubt she’s the peace I crave amid my world of chaos.
Vera stirs in my arms, turning to face me like before.
“When are you going to announce us? Baby, I’m…getting worried people will snatch you from me.” I can see the anxiousness in her eyes.
I palm her cheeks bringing my face closer. “No woman on earth can hold my interest the way you do, Vera Ivanovna,” I call her last name.
She sniffles, then. “I believe in you. I love you.”
That instant the words come out of her mouth in rivulet, I bend my head to kiss her…
“Hmmm…” Vera makes some noise at the back of the throat. Then she skitters to the corner, puking.
Tensed, I rush over and hold her hair out of her face until she stops retching.
I use my handkerchief to wipe the corners of her mouth, worried.
“Baby, are you sick?” I blurt.
“No, I’m not. I told you I’m having indigestion.” She huffs. I’m not utterly convinced. “And I ate tortillas a while ago. You see, it all adds to it.”
“Vera, I’m calling to call the doctor to have you checked…”
“I’m okay, David. Trust me.”
“You sure about that?”
“Certainly!”
I sigh, pulling in a hug only to break from it when Mr. Oliver calls.
Swearing, I pick up the call and his froggy voice rattles.
“David. I’m heading to Miami. Two-day trip. I want you to come along.”
Fuck, not now. I listen to some other things he says, then.
“Fine, I’ll be there, Mr. Oliver.”
“Any problem?” Vera asks as I end the call.
I let out a weak sigh before replying.
“I’m traveling to Miami, baby, with Mr. Oliver.” The color drains from her face after hearing me.
I see doubt creeping into her eyes.
“You…and him? Only?” She asks in a stuttering manner.
“Yes, just…us. It’s about business, remember?”
Even though I said those words, she didn’t look convinced.
What is she thinking?
To be continued…