I say. Home is where the heart is … where my heart is, with the love of my life—Ayden Stone
My biggest fear is that I may arrive too late. Ayden could become a casualty of a twisted plot, seeking retribution for a guiltless crime. He did his duty, and now he’ll have to do whatever it takes to keep me and our babies safe.
I can’t let that happen.
Faced with the unthinkable, and with limited access to resources, I turn to the one woman who can help me come to grips with this first part of Operation Blue Moon: Charlotte, Ayden’s P.A. I worry that she’ll feel disloyal going behind Ayden’s back and refuse to help me, especially when she has no idea that his life is in danger because of the sacrifice he’s about to make for us.
Tasting sea salt on my lips, I raise my face to the porthole. Early morning sunlight hurts my eyes, but energises my body and my mind. An ocean breeze caresses my face, reminding me of the sanctity of the heavens, the earth and of love—our love. On a day like today it’s easy to believe that anything is possible. Before the sun is wrapped in clouds and the breeze becomes no more than a whisper, I dive in headfirst.
Using Skype, I dial ASMI, London, and ask the operator to connect me with Mr. Stone’s Assistant.
“Good morning. Mr. Stone’s office. How can I help you?” Her business-like tone reassures me I have done the right thing by calling her.
“Ahoy there, Charlotte, Frances here,” I state with more than a little cheerfulness.
There is an awkward pause. Obviously she’s taken aback by my call.
“Oh! Good … morning…” she stammers.
“I came through the switchboard. Would you believe it? I’ve got a problem with my phone and I’d misplaced your number.”
Having regained her composure she returns to default mode. “I see that. What can I do for you, Frances?”
“I’d like you to organise a trip for a friend of the company. Have you a pen?”
“We do like to accommodate friends of the company,” she acknowledges with a smattering of sarcasm. “Please proceed, I have a pen.”
“Please call a woman called Sam Bellamy to make the necessary arrangements for a flight to Venice this afternoon. I believe there’s a flight at twelve thirty with our favourite airline, arriving at fifteen forty. I’d like her to be on it. Her full name is Samantha Bellamy. Her number is 07745559732.”
“I’ll give her a call and arrange to have the ticket sent over. Anything else?”
“Not at the moment, thank you.” I want to say so much more. I’m longing to ask how Ayden is after our few days together. Has his mood improved? Is he more like himself? I bite my tongue.
“Would you like me to tell Mr. Stone of the arrangements, Frances?” she asks tentatively.
“That’s not necessary. He seems so distracted lately with work I think this business meeting would be of little interest to him.”
Understanding my cryptic message, she continues, “Very well. I’ll get right on it.”
“Good. Miss Bellamy is waiting for your call.”
“Goodbye and good luck with your meeting, Frances.” Fearful of who might be listening in, she maintains formality.
“Goodbye, Charlotte. Thank you for your help.” I end the call abruptly, knowing I have set the wheels in motion. Regardless of the consequences, I can rest easy for a while, or at least until my plan is finalised.
Being privy to the wisdom of the gods has been both a blessing and a curse. In my case, I was tormented and toyed with to the point of self-destruction. But it wasn’t all bad. Look what Ayden and I have been blessed with. I run my hand over my stomach where two little avocado-sized babies are embracing each other.
Look after each other, you two, just like Mummy is going to look after your daddy.
I feel privileged to have seen things others can only dream of. Having said that, with knowledge comes power, and with power comes responsibility. I have always taken my responsibility for others very seriously, and a close encounter with death has merely heightened that sense of responsibility.
When Sam Bellamy pursued me on the steps outside The Stone Building on the day of the Duvall press conference, I was shocked by her persistence and offended by her directness. She knew about my pregnancy and went on to give me a warning, suggesting Ayden proceed with extreme caution when entering into business with his father. When I looked into her