Page 84 of Last Breath

Something far in the back of Nella’s mind dropped. Not quite disappointment. Something sharper, warier. Something that hadn’t wanted Rosetta to return, that hadwantedto scale the fence. Because now it almost seemed too easy.

The keyring had an address, encased in a clear plastic shell. Roman looked at it for a total of five seconds before he led them back around the cobblestoned Walk of Silence, squeezing their way past tourists to a private residence with custard yellow walls.

Nella desperately wanted to ask Ariana what silent conversation had passed between her and Rosetta. She’d heard Ariana telling Jett on the boat that Rosetta was her aunt, so deep down, underneath her thick layers of religious garments, Rosetta likely bore a tattoo identical to Ariana’s.

She’d handed over the key without asking anything, as though she’d been waiting for them. Expecting them. But that was impossible, wasn’t it? Unless Clarkson had made contact with the abbey before he died – and not written it down in his notes. But that would have been billable hours, and it wasn’t like he was investigating for Nella’s family pro bono. Or maybe Rosetta had another reason to be expecting Ariana. Whatever it was, Nella hoped the answer would be in this yellow house.

Ariana handed Roman the key, and as they heard the lock click, someone screamed from behind them.

‘NO!’

SLAM.

Cold, hard bricks. No air. Leather, pepper, sweat.

Nella dragged in a breath as her spine connected with the hard stone of the yellow house.

Her front was encased by someone’s chest, pinning her to the alley wall.

Jett.

‘What are you ...?’ But she couldn’t speak; she was winded, disorientated, breathless.

They were too close. His chest rose and fell against hers like a wild tide against a rock, his arms bracketing her, palms and forearms pressed against the wall.

Protective.

Dominating.

She hated that word, but she didn’t hate the feeling. His scent engulfed her – he’d showered and changed on the plane, and she could taste the hibiscus shampoo and shaving cream like it was on her tongue, sunscreen he’d applied because Daisy made him and his normal, leathery, manlyJettsmell. She inhaled, remembering the last time they’d been this close, his lips whispering in her ear. The lie she’d punctured the moment with. How much would break if she whispered the truth now?

I was turned on.

I was burning.

Every movement she’d made on this trip so far to try to stay away from him, out of his line of sight, had all shattered as their breath became one and Nella tilted her chin ...

‘It’s okay!’ Daisy’s pink curls bobbed around the corner of the house. Nella and Jett sprang apart. ‘Just a kid running too close to the edge!’ Her smile faltered slightly as she took in Jett’s heavy breathing and what was probably a guilty, flushed look on Nella’s face. ‘You really take this role of bodyguard seriously, don’t you?’ Daisy teased, smiling up at Jett. ‘Always playing the hero.’

Was that a jab at the fact that he’d cancelled their date to pick Nella up? Did Daisy know that was why he’d left?

Ariana and Roman had entered the house, and Daisy went in the open door, leaving Nella and Jett outside. Alone. ‘What the hell?’ Nella hissed at Jett. The silence had clearly been shattered beyond repair at the scream.

He looked down at the water’s edge, where a teary blond boy was being reprimanded by a woman.

‘Someone screamed ... I thought we were in danger. I overreacted. Sorry.’ He didn’t meet her eyes.

‘It was anuclear-leveloverreaction.’

‘Iknow.’ His voice was strained. ‘I know.’

‘What’s going on?’ She folded her arms. ‘You’ve been acting weird ever since Avery dropped you at the hangar. A detail that you haven’t actually explained, by the way. Is this just about ...’

Every unmentioned thing about Saturday night pulsed between them.

‘It’s not.’ The condescension in his tone made her shrink like a scolded schoolgirl. ‘I’m just not taking any chances with your safety.’

‘Right. Well, thank you, you saved me from a loud noise. I’m sure the Governor General’s already organising the ceremony to award you a medal of bravery. And don’t give me the knight in shining armour bullshit. You get paid to look out for me.’