Destined to Fly: An Avalon Novel by Indigo Bloome Read Free Book Online Page A

children and deposit her on a comfortable sun lounge with a view as far-reaching as the eye can see. She has her swimmers on under her robe. She must have been going out to join the kids.
    I’d go down and fetch a hat but I don’t want to leave her in this state so high up, given the nothingness in her face. This whole situation has finally taken its toll, become too much. I think back to being at my hotel, One Aldwych in London, just after she had been abducted. All I wanted was a drink to numb the pain. How can I condemn her for wanting the same thing? Her body is immobile so I gently push her head back and stretch out her legs so she is fully relaxed on the lounge, as I wait anxiously in the silent breeze for Adam.
    Finally, he arrives with two Long Island Iced Teas. I raise my eyebrows, questioning his choice.
    ‘Well, she did say strong. Here’s the intercom if you need anything else.’
    I thank him for the drinks and wave one in front of AB’s face to get her attention.
    ‘Your drink, m’lady,’ I try to say as light-heartedly as possible. She finally comes out of her trance and takes hold of the long glass, rips the straw out along with the umbrella Adam has decorated it with, and gulps it down. This could get very messy, very fast. She draws breath only to repeat her action, downing three-quarters of the drink in record time. I have to physically prevent myself from stopping her by removing my added extras and taking a sip as well. Finally, she makes eye contact.
    ‘This is good.’ And polishes off the rest. ‘I’d like another.’ She looks directly at mine and I deliberately take a huge mouthful before handing it over. Bloody hell, it’s strong even for me.
    ‘Promise me, you’ll at least try to sip it?’ I add hopefully but to no avail.
    After about ten minutes of silence between us, with me anxiously awaiting her next move, she finally speaks. ‘Ah, that feels so much better.’ She picks up the intercom. ‘Hi, Adam, that was perfect. Would you mind making another just like it? Excellent, thanks.’ I can tell by the look on her face that she is enjoying my reaction to her shenanigans. ‘What a great guy Adam is, don’t you think?’
    ‘Yeah, he is. Looks like you two will get along just fine.’
    ‘Don’t look so disheartened, Jeremy, I’m meant to be the one feeling that and for the next few hours I just want to forget about everything. Otherwise my brain and heart may implode. Can you do that for me?’
    She discards her robe and I’m left with the breathtaking vision of her curvaceous body in a retro, red halter-neck bikini, soaking up the sun. For someone under so much stress, she looks stunningly gorgeous. If anything, having kids has given her body more shape and her breasts look sensational. I can’t believe my dick instantly springs to life. I feel like a teenager with the impact she has on me.
    ‘Yes, I will always do anything for you, sweetheart.’
    She scoffs. ‘Only if it is aligned with what you want.’
    ‘And you know that what I want is always what is best for you.’ I kiss the top of her forehead. ‘I’m just going to get your hat, sunglasses and your next round of beverages. Stay put.’
    ‘Where else could I go?’
    When I return with a tray holding the drinks, some Lebanese bread, tzatziki dip and sunscreen, Alexa is nowhere to be seen. Her robe is still on the sun lounge, but she has vanished. I slam down the tray on the side table and quickly scan the area. Shit, please no. Not again. My stomach goes into free fall. I have been gone less than five minutes. I race around the structure where the stairs come up from the apartment, then to the other side, my heart pounding in fear.
    Nothing. No one. I run to the edge of the balustrade and look below, hoping, knowing she would never jump. It’s not in her nature. I scan the sky with the fleeting thought that maybe a helicopter has scooped her away, not that I heard any noise. Oh, god, no. Please, this can’t be