Page 68 of The Prize

“That’s why this meeting is so important. I must convince them of your innocence.”

“And you?”

“Icon no longer exists.”

I exhaled a steady breath. “What about the Burells?”

“It’s time for me to step into their line of fire. There’s no other way.”

Terror shot up my spine. “What?”

“It’s time to open Pandora’s box. In other words, the mind of Eli Burell.”

“I’m coming with you.”

“It’s best you don’t, Zara.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I need to lay a trap with the bait. It must be done in person. He must believe he has one up on us.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“You’ll be safer here.” Tobias took my hand and led me toward a watercolor of the English countryside hanging on the far left wall. He lifted it off its hanger and revealed a safe. “Press your thumb here.” He accessed it with his own thumbprint and the door clicked open. He reached in and removed a British passport. I recognized the dog-eared corner that proved it was mine.

He handed it to me. “If anything happens to me go back to London. Wait for me.”

“What do you mean?”

“If I don’t come back here by the end of today.”

“I’m not staying in this house while you’re running around putting yourself in harm’s way.”

“Burell is unpredictable. I need to know you are safe.” He gave me a reassuring smile.

Tobias carried out the tray of food and I was left staring at my passport in stunned silence.

I burst into action and within the wardrobe quickly found a smart black skirt and white blouse and pulled over it a Chanel jacket. If the meeting with my boss was today I’d be ready. I just hoped they believed the party line that billionaire Tobias Wilder had hired me to authenticate a rare piece he’d hunted down. It wasn’t too much of a lie if you counted in the fact we were searching for my paintings.

I rummaged within the shoe boxes until I found the kind of pumps I could run in.

Tobias wasn’t going alone.

CHAPTER TEN

THECABDRIVERdropped us off at Central Park.

Tobias and I leisurely strolled the urban sanctuary with its sprawling trees, pretty fountains and beloved monuments. It was nice to be outside but at the same time I knew we were vulnerable, and time seemed to speed up as we careened toward the inevitable.

We huddled on a park bench watching the early morning joggers, the mothers pushing their prams and tourists eagerly moving on to their next sightseeing spot.

Tobias leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees and buried his face in his palms.

“This is a good idea,” I said.

He sat up and stared at me. “Let’s agree to disagree.”

“I can watch your back.”