Page 51 of Found

Chapter 17

Sin rummaged through the cabinets until he found the crumpled pack of Benson and Hedges, another thing he was forced to give up for The Watch. He glanced over to where Charlie sat, the fire saturating her bare skin in a warm glow, highlighting the arch of her back. My masterpiece. Despite all her innocence and now apparent inexperience, she was a femme fatale. A lethal lady. His lethal lady, whose beauty and feminine energy was more dangerous to herself than anyone else. She didn't understand it. Didn't know how to harness it, and until she was taught, she risked getting caught in her own perilous trap.

"Wrap up," he said. "Let's go sit outside for a wee bit."

She looked at the door anxiously but wrapped the blanket around herself and followed him to the door.

"Do you think you should take your gun?" she asked.

"Why?"

"I don't know. In case we were followed. In case someone figured out we stole the print or if one of Sokolov's men is out there."

He kissed her on the forehead. "We'll be fine. William will let us know if anyone is out there." Jock's warning still sat forefront in his mind. No one had shown up to the pub, though. He picked up the gun and slid it into the back of the waistband on his kilt. "But if it will make you feel better." Then he took her hand and led her outside to a rock on the cliffs' edge, sitting down.

A cold north wind blew, chilling the skin on his chest. He pulled a cigarette from the package and lit it, taking a long draw off it.

"I didn't know you smoked," she said, looking out at the sea. The beach was gone, and the waves crashed against the rocks, shooting spray high into the air and settling on them in a fine mist.

"I don't. Filthy habit. I gave it up long ago."

"Then why are you now?" she asked, still not looking at him.

"Because what happened back there, with us, it was very beautiful. Look at me, my darling." He turned her face toward him. "It was very special. Thank you. I guess I just want to savor the moment."

"Maybe I should smoke."

"Christ, no," he said, extinguishing it on the rock. "That would be like hanging the Mona Lisa in a cheap Tesco frame. Absolutely not."

He put his arm around her, pulling her in close. The moon cast its bright shadow in a long streak, splitting the ocean in two until disappearing into the horizon. "I can see why you like it out here," she said.

"Aye. I had forgotten how much. It's reminding me of a part of myself I thought long gone."

"I think it's helping me find a part I never knew existed," Charlie countered.

"My masterpiece," he said simply. "I will enjoy watching you unfurl."

* * *

They sat there until the dampness covered them and the cold settled into their bones. Charlie was still reeling from the whole experience. It was everything she imagined it would be and more. A gateway to another world where she no longer looked just at the surface, but instead ran untethered into the depths. It was as if the boundary between her inner self and the outer world had collapsed.

"Was this what you meant by expectations? Because we're married," she asked.

"God, no." He seemed stricken. "I meant that you should expect me to take care of you, protect you and honor you. You should expect me to honor my vows."

"You sound like Gabriel."

"He knows what he's talking about. He's taught me a lot," he said. "When I was arrested, I went from the prospect of Barlinnie prison straight into Alex's prison. I wasn't allowed off the Tower's compound for a year. I was up at five every morning for basic training. Gabriel and I would go for a five-kilometer run to the loch, followed by a one and a half-kilometer swim and then another five-kilometer run back. Then target practice. We spent every waking minute together. I was so angry at first, but he has a way about him that makes you want to trust him."

"I can see that," she agreed.

"We should go back in," Sin said, pulling her from her thoughts. "You're shivering."

She gave him a shy smile. "I suppose I hadn't noticed." He took her hand, leading her back to the cottage. A large crash stopped them both. Charlie jumped, nearly coming out of her skin, and screamed.

Sin put his arms around her, holding her. "It's just the wind knocking something over."

"What if it's someone?"