Chapter 205
Winter climbed out of his arms and went to the window.
Five large armed helicopters were hovering outside the house, filling the sky. Their blades thundered as they spun, and the black bodies of the aircraft gleamed with a dark metallic shine in the sunlight.
The sheer pressure of it made her heart beat faster.
After nearly two full days of storm damage, seawater had flooded the island and left the whole place in ruins. Then, after the storm, the temperature dropped sharply overnight. The seawater that had rushed onto the island had frozen solid.
A layer of frost had formed on the outside of the window too.
It was easy to imagine how cold it was out there.
Winter lowered her eyes and let out a soft breath as she looked outside.
They were finally leaving.
Stranded on this island, time had passed faster than she ever expected.
She stood by the window for a moment, then turned and started toward the stairs.
Chris took a few long strides after her and pulled her back.
His hand closed around her wrist, and his dark eyes settled on her face. “I had them bring you some clothes p>
He lifted the comms earpiece at his neck. Without taking his eyes off her lowered lashes, he said in a low voice, ” Bring them up p>
Gavin came upstairs carrying two large bags.
They were all for Winter.
Everything she could need, from head to toe. A down jacket, insulated boots, a hat, a scarf, gloves, and even fresh underwear.
Before Winter went into the bathroom with the bags, she heard Dominic downstairs asking if Chris was up there and saying he wanted to come up. One of the bodyguards stopped him.
“Chris! Come on, Chris p>
Chris pulled on the military coat Winter had worn earlier. “Shut him up p>
“Yes, sir. ” Gavin went back downstairs.
The bathroom door closed.
A moment later, Chris’s shadow appeared outside the bathroom door.
Winter quickly dragged a chair over and wedged it behind the door so the broken latch would not pop open again.
On the other side, Chris’s hand stilled on the doorknob.
When Winter came back out, dressed and ready, she assumed Chris had already gone downstairs.
He had not.
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Chapter 205
+25 Bonus
He was still upstairs, standing by the half–open window with a cigarette in one hand.
The military coat fit him so well it looked like it had been made for him. It only made him seem taller and broader. He flicked the lighter aside, took a drag, and turned to look at her.
Winter was wearing a pale blue puffer jacket with matching insulated pants, white winter boots, and a loose cream knit hat framing her small face. Her skin looked clear and healthy, with a soft flush from the cold.
The moment she looked up, there was something almost unreal about her, like a small wild creature that had wandered into the wrong world.
With the light behind him, Chris’s features looked even sharper than usual, especially his eyes.
When he looked at her, they seemed dark and bottomless.
Winter looked away and asked, “Can we go now p>
Chris’s brow tightened almost imperceptibly.
He took another drag, dropped the cigarette at his feet, crushed it under his boot, and started toward her.
After only two steps, he caught another sound outside, something different.
He turned sharply and looked out the window toward the sea.
Beyond the waves, a large ship was pulling up to shore.
A strange emblem flew from its flag.
And leading it in was a dark green armed helicopter.
Standing in the open cabin door was a tall man in a black overcoat, refined and composed.
Fabian looked at the five black helicopters surrounding the house and narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Chris Xander’s always three steps ahead,” he said. “He already figured out I’d come today p>
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Florence
A passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.