Wicked Deceptions - Amy Cecil Page 0,24

lips. “Shh. Let me talk first.” He kisses me on the forehead. “I do not know what is going to happen when this war ends. I do not even know if I will survive. But what I do know is I love you, and if I survive this damn war, it will be because you said yes. Because I then will know that you will be at the end of a long and dark tunnel, waiting for me in the light. Waiting for the magical life I know we can have together.”

“Chris?” I have no other words. A lifetime flashes before my eyes. I see Chris and myself living happily in America. We have an established life with friends, children, and grandchildren. It is a dream I never thought I could have, and now he dangles it in front of me like a carrot to a rabbit. And while I am dreaming of this beautiful and perfect life with him, I realize I overlooked one very important thing. I had only suspected but was never sure. Now I am. He loves me. He loves me.

Him loving me does not bother me as much as the fact that I think I love him too. No, I don’t think I love him. I do love him. Which is where the problem lies.

“Katerina, have I lost you?”

“No, I’m still here.”

“Are you going to give me an answer?”

I look up him, and again my thoughts wander. Everything in me wants to say yes to him, to have the life I imagined, but how do I escape the German government and the job they have given me? There is no turning back. Gerhardt’s words ring true in my head. I shake the thoughts away. My life is my own, not theirs. I will just leave. It cannot be hard to leave a job, can it? But this is no ordinary job. I am privy to war secrets. What will they do with me when the war is over?

“Say yes, my love, and I will take you away from all of this.”

Without another thought, I answer him, “Yes, I will marry you.” I will not give up my happiness. I will find a way.

He pulls me into his arms. “You have made me the happiest of men.” He holds me for several minutes and then says, “Our troops will be arriving in France the first part of April, and I predict one year and this war will be over. Can you wait for me?”

My heart sinks. The elephant has entered the room.

The number one rule from my training is not to get too close to your mark. But he is wasn’t the mark. A member of the French government was, but then he told me the US troops are scheduled to arrive next month. He just made himself my mark.

I smile. “Yes, my love, I will wait for you.” I realize then that while he may have given me the information I needed to complete my mission, I will be free when the war is over. We can marry, and all this will be behind me.

Two weeks later, Chris left on orders. He could not tell me where he was going but promised he would write. It’s a lovely thought, but I’m sure once I give Gerhardt the information I have, I will be moved and sent somewhere else. Talk to Gerhardt. He is your friend and will help you, I think to myself, and my thoughts are right. I need to tell Gerhardt everything, and he will help me leave this life. He’s not all business and genuinely cares for me. I am sure he will help me.

As soon as I bid Chris farewell at the train station, I make my way to the wire office and send the following wire to Gerhardt.

Mission accomplished. Stop.

Must see you. Stop.

K

Two days later, Gerhardt makes contact. To my surprise, he shows up at Madame LaRue’s, posing as a client.

He talks with Madame for a short time and then points at me. He has made his choice. Not that I thought he would choose another. Madame escorts him to me and makes introductions.

“Katerina, I trust you will please Heir Gerhardt,” she says.

I nod, take his hand, and lead him to my room.

Once we are in the privacy of my room and the door is closed, he says, “So, you have a date?”

I smile. “I do, but first, I must talk to you about something.”

He gets a concerned look on