Page 82 of The Prize

“I’m glad I was with you.”

“You dealt with Eli well. He’s a prickly bastard. Rules don’t apply.”

Resting my head back, I stared at him. “You knew when we stepped on that island he was heading our way?”

“Once I turned on the GPS I knew he’d find us.” He shook his head. “We’re dealing with the devil, Zara. I’m uncomfortable with you being exposed to him. Let Marshall—”

I reached for his hand. “I feel the same about you.”

“Me?” He looked surprised.

“Eli won’t find it suspicious that we were on that island?”

“Who would allow themselves to be so vulnerable?”

I forced a smile. “Someone with nothing to hide.”

“Exactly.”

“So Coops is more than just your driver?”

“He’s my right-hand man. He’s my Q, my quartermaster. I trust him. That’s why I had him drive you home that first night you visited Oxfordshire.”

Because Tobias had other plans that night, namely flying his helicopter across the country to deliver a Titian to its original owner.

“Eli took the bait,” he said. “And you looked surprised when you saw him. That you can’t fake.”

“How about you?”

“Poker face. You reveal your emotions easily.” He squeezed my hand as though needing further reassurance I was okay. “Our invite to see theMona Lisaneeded to appear reluctant.”

“I get it. It had to beher. No other painting would have enticed Eli.”

She’d also been an extraordinary diversion that for now kept us safe.

Tobias leaned toward me. “She’s our last hope, Zara. I want us to have a future where we are safe. I want you to get your paintings back because I can’t stand that family having them. Eli dangled them in front of you just to see your reaction. He taunted you like the psychopath he is.”

“Will he ever leave us alone?”

Tobias frowned as he turned away, and it was the kind of look that carried a burden of knowledge.

“Don’t do anything foolish.” I grabbed his forearm. “Promise me.”

“You know how methodical I am.”

Though what we had set in motion verged on insanity. We’d compromised everything we held dear to find our way out the other side of the storm. It was a cruel irony that I had to lie about a painting to restore my father’s legacy. My family’s history was still playing out.

I was grateful for this interlude where we got to just be with each other while holding the devil at bay. Peering out at the city view I enjoyed these moments of calmness and wanted to savor the hours before tomorrow when the stakes would be raised even higher. For the first time, pulling off this wild scheme seemed possible. The question was, could I live with myself afterward?

I looked out at the New York skyline, this metropolis exuding a unique vibrancy I’d not felt from other cities. There was an excitement here, a sense of daring possibilities at every turn.

We drove for just over an hour.

When I saw the sign for the New York Hall of Science I felt a jolt of happiness that Tobias was bringing me to an important place to him. He purchased our tickets, and the way he walked through the building made me wonder if he’d come here as a boy with his grandmother. I didn’t want to ask, didn’t want to break the spell and see his brightness diminish.

He guided me into the hall of mirrors, and I spun round to see my reflection from every angle. It was quirky and the playfulness we needed.

Tobias came up behind me. “Look at you. You’re perfection.”