A shift in the car startles me awake, scattering an amazing dream to the mist. The vivid dream was about some guys wanting me dead at all costs because I was some princess. It ended in a car chase through Paris as Daniel and I were trying to escape. They kept coming despite what we did. When the last vestiges of the dream finally fall away, I sigh as I realize the dream is reality.
“Where are we?” My vision is still cloudy with sleep when I open my eyes.
“On the outskirts of Amsterdam, near the border of Germany.” Daniel replies. “Did you sleep well?”
“No, I was having this awful nightmare where I was this princess of an unknown country and someone was trying to kill me.” I say sarcastically looking at his side profile. “But it wasn’t a dream, was it?”
“No. I’m sorry, it wasn’t.” He says frowning.
The sky is dark with hints of it starting to lighten up behind us. The highway ahead of and behind us is black with not another soul on the road. The land is flat with few trees sporadically placed alongside the road.
“What time is it?” I ask stretching.
My shirt rides up my abdomen. I catch Daniel’s glance out of the corner of his eyes as he licks his lips.
“Almost seven.” He adjusts his sitting position then asks, “Are you hungry? I need to stop and get a new phone.”
“Not yet, but I could go for a cup of tea. Oh shit, I don’t have my wallet.”
“Language.” He frowns shaking his head. “Don’t worry about it. Neil has someone retrieving our stuff.”
҉
The town’s historic feel is different than what I’m used to. The surrounding buildings are just the beginning. The canals act as streets. The shops’ windows are old, casement-like. The windy, narrow streets are cobblestone. Even modern stores such a McDonalds and Starbucks appear old but with a modern appeal probably because of their names.
Daniel spotted the Starbucks and parks slightly further up the road, on what we Americans consider the wrong side of the road. Am I still considered an American? Daniel assists me out of the car and clasps my hand while we leisurely stroll the street towards Starbucks. The interior of Starbucks reflects nothing of the exterior. The modern touches such as the floating sconces and marble flooring are a pleasant surprise reminding me of home. The display counter holds a vast array of pastries, sandwiches and more, each looking more inviting than the next.
At the counter, Daniel orders a black double espresso, two pumpkin scones and the strongest tea in the largest size possible. He discreetly removes a huge roll of cash from the front of his jeans. I stop my eyes from bugging out, trying to act as nonchalant as possible. I’ve never been in possession of that much cash. He must feel my eyes on him because he looks at me smiling.
He leans into my ear whispering, “Credit cards can be traced.”
“Oh.”
Daniel places our fare on a table in the back with a good view of all the exits. Outwardly he appears calm, but knowing him now as I do, I see differently. The way his eyes dart periodically around the room towards the exits every time a patron walks in, reminds me of a body guard always watching the surroundings. When a barista drops a tray, I think Daniel is going to tackle me to the ground.
“Do you think we were followed here?” I ask after he relaxes slightly.
“Why?” He counters, alarmed again but when he turns back to look at me I incline my head slightly in his direction. “Oh. No, I don’t think so. I don’t see how they could.”
I reach across the table and clasped his hand.
“You know, the last few days I’ve come to know you. I know you won’t let anything happen to me. I’m safe with you.”
He sighs and squeezes my hand.
“I would give my life for you.” He replies ever so softly.
My heart flip-flops at his words. So much has happened in the last few days. He never knew I existed, but his father did. If his dad knew, why did he allow Daniel to become engaged to someone else? Did he think I died or something? I thought Daniel said his father covered all traces of my existence.
“What is going on with your fiancée?”
“Why?” He asks with a raised eyebrow.
“Well, you’ve said a lot in the last twenty-four hours most of it affecting her but never mentioned your engagement. I mean does she know about me? I mean… that is… I know she knows about me because… but does she know we’re seeing each other? Did you ever speak to her before all this?”
He chuckles and shakes his head.
“You are a breath of fresh air.”
He leans across and kisses me chastely.
“Don’t worry about her. She’ll understand.” He says dismissively.
“Wait, she doesn’t know?” I shake my head perturbed. “You mean she has no idea that you’re with me now? I mean we are together right?”
“We are most definitely together and everything has changed.” He replies most assuredly with no hint of mockery. “But no, I haven’t had the chance to break things off officially with her, but-”
“You haven’t had a chance to break things off yet? You’ve known for at least a week.”
“I explained to you what I’ve been doing since the last time I saw you. Don’t worry about her. She’ll bounce back.” He says defensively and then mutters, “She has plenty of willing bed partners.”
“Damn you, Daniel. I told you I wouldn’t be the other woman.”
Heads turn in our direction as my voice raises a decibel.
“Shit! Fuck! Damn it to hell!”
“Language!” He says icily. “There is no other woman. You’re it.”
“That’s the other thing. Why didn’t you fucking say something sooner about this promise?” I asked still peeved. I guess I’m not as over it as I thought.
“Language!” He says angrily and squeezes my hand sharply. “What would you have said or done if I told you about it?”
“I don’t know. But you never gave me the chance. Instead you drop the bomb and wait for the fall out to settle. How do you know I wasn’t involved with someone while you were gone?” I retort.
Daniel starts to talk, then opens, closes, and opens his mouth again like a fish. It’s quite comical and for the briefest of moments as my anger abates. Then he looks at me seriously. His ability to look through me is unnerving. It feels like he can see my deepest darkest secrets. I take a deep gulp of tea, completely forgetting it is still too hot to drink.
“Shit!” I exclaim as the hot liquid scorches my mouth and the entire way down to my stomach.
“Daphne! You sound like a gutter wench.” He says irritated.
“Well, you know what, I am. I’ve been living on the streets since I’m sixteen. If it wasn’t for Dante, I would probably still be there.” I start to stand, but the look he gives me would stop anyone. “I’m not a princess. There are lots of rough edges here, asshole. So deal with it.”
I ignore his look and walk away. He quickly grabs my elbow halting my escape creating a scene. The guy sitting directly next to where we are looks up at me.
In an accented voice, the guy asks, “Do you need help, Madame?”
“No, she doesn’t.” Daniel growls, releasing his grip.
“No, thank you. I’m fine. I was just leaving.” I reply haughtily.
Outside, Daniel grabs my arm again pulling me towards him.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t-.”
“Daniel, I need space to figure things out.” I sigh. “Look, the f-bombs drop like there’s a war when I’m scared.”
“Don’t run. I’m here.” He says with conviction.
“You know what my childhood was like. I can’t be a princess. I wouldn’t know what to do.”
His hands slide down my arms clasping my hands. He brings both hands to his lips, kissing them gently.
“I know sweetheart. We’re a team. Let me help you.” He squeezes my hands.
After a while of intense thinking, I nod.
“We need to get you back into the country and home, unharmed and undetected.”
Home? That word feels different now. The idea of having a home, a real home, is so foreign that I don’t think I have ever taken the time to understand the gravity or the meaning of the word. My true home has only ever been with Dante. Wherever he was, that was where my home was. It didn’t matter if it was in a cardboard box alongside a building, the pay by the hour hotel room or our current residence. Dante always made the place where we rested our heads at night, a home.
To think about such a place without Dante seems a betrayal to our family unit. But on the other hand, knowing there is a stable place where Dante and I will be able to call home, lifts a weight I didn’t know was weighing me down.
“Dante will be there when we arrive. Right?” I demand.
“Yes, he should be there by tomorrow night. I told the staff to allow him all the freedoms I have.”
“Thank you. I don’t know what I would do without him.” I hug Daniel thankfully.
His hand sneaks up the back of my neck cupping the nape and holding my head to his shoulder. The other arm embraces me, cocooning us. Our surroundings and its inhabitants disappear with the hug. His scent fills my lungs like a warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter’s night. However, all too quickly the environment comes crashing back when something crashes behind Daniel, alerting him to dangers still chasing us.
“Come on let’s go.” He says kissing my forehead before turning to leave.