TWELVE

 

Felix

 

When Mario returns to the penthouse, I take one look at his face and know that it’s over. Ida is gone and there is no going back.

“Please pack his things,” my father orders Mario as he walks into the living room with my supposed fiancée hot on his heels. “I have the jet awaiting our departure within the hour.”

He looks at me with a smirk on his face. I bury the desire to kill him as deep as I can because I need an answer.

“Why?” I ask in a monotone.

His smirk turns into a smug grin. “Did you really think I was giving you a year away? I never took you for a fool until now. This wasn’t your reprieve, it was your wake-up call. It’s proof that your destiny is to fall into line with the expectations of our name. Your only purpose is to fulfil my legacy. Today. Not in a years’ time. Right now, Felix.”

Inclining my head and staring at the floor, I swallow my pride and capitulate to his will for the final time. “I’ll meet you downstairs in a moment. I need a second to compose myself.”

My father pats my upper arm as he passes. “You’ll see in time that I’m trying to do the right thing by you.”

Clenching my fists, I ignore his paltry promise and watch his entourage follow him out of the penthouse like a pack of faithful dogs. Mario comes up to me with Serge close behind, but I shoo them both away.

“I’m fine. I’ll organise my own things,” I say with as much equanimity as I can find. “Just keep him off my ass for a minute. I’ll meet you all downstairs shortly.

Mario claps a brotherly hand on my shoulder, but I shrug him off. He gets the hint and heads for the door. Serge isn’t quite so easy to fool. He stops in front of me, piercing me with his heated stare until I raise my head and meet his eyes.

“Here,” he hands me a large envelope. “This has everything you need to become Felix King properly. I’ve even included my personal details in case you ever find yourself needing help.”

I’m not surprised that he’s worked out what I’m planning. He is, after all, a professional. Taking the escape that he’s offering, I tuck it under my arm and seize his big fist in mine. Pulling him to me, I bump shoulders with him, then let go. “Take care of Mario for me, and please make sure my mum knows that this isn’t her fault.”

Serge nods once, then tilts his head in the direction of the fire escape. “I’ve got a car waiting at the bottom. Get a move on before someone else works out that you’re not coming.”

I don’t need to be told twice. Heading for my bedroom, I prepare to grab the few things I will need in my new life. Serge is one step ahead of me again. My backpack is sitting, already packed full of the necessities, on the bed that I shared with Ida last night. I give myself a few moments to store the memories of our perfect night in the recesses of my brain, before I lean down and grab the red satin bra and panties that she left behind in her rush to escape my lies. Shoving them in my pocket, I spin the dial on the hidden safe until the door springs open.

I grab the backpack and unzip the front pocket. The entire ten million that it holds won’t fit in my backpack, but I shove as much I can inside. Withdrawing the contents of my checking account yesterday was done on a whim. Today, that impulse pays off. This cash is the only thing funding my new life.

Well, that and my short-term position as a research assistant with Harry Marshall.

With the backpack filled to the brim, I zip it shut and sling it over my shoulder. Pulling free the strap that holds the first section of the fire escape in place, I let down the retractable ladder that will take me to the ground. After I’ve cocked my leg over the window ledge and climbed onto the metal stairs, I pat the satin that sits in my pocket like a talisman of my impending good fortune. I have one objective in this new life I’m heading for and the owner of this underwear is the sole reason behind it.

Ida might think we’re over for good.

She might hate me with every atom in her body.

But, I’m going to prove to her that everything I said was the truth.

From this moment forth, Felix Von Sonderberg ceases to exist. The games. The deceit. The misery. It all dies with him. In his place, Felix King is being reborn. A man of honour. A man of truth. A man who has found the love of his life and will come back for her once he’s proven his worth.