Arranged To Be|18+✔️

'25

"Is he going to be okay?" I asked as I paced back and forth in the room.

Armando and Alexis had taken me to a huge house they called their safe house. They'd been trying to calm me down for over an hour, but nothing helped. All I could think about was Czar and whether he was okay.

"He'll be here soon," Armando said.

"But how do you know that? How are you so sure?" I asked, voice shaking.

"Because he's Czar," Alexis said simply. "He won't go down without a fight."

I ignored her. The only thing that would calm me down was seeing him. It made me physically sick to know he was in danger—because of me. He had just lost his mother, and now his life was at risk.

Suddenly, the front door swung open, and I froze in place.

"We have to get going," Czar said as he stepped into the room.

His suit was dirty and torn, a few fresh cuts marked his face, but he was alive.

"I managed to get away, but they're looking for us. We need to get to the jet now."

Armando tossed him a set of keys. "Take my car. Tinted windows. You'll stay under the radar."

"Thank you," Czar said, wrapping an arm around me and guiding me out the back door. "I owe you both."

We climbed into the car, and Czar sped out of the garage without hesitation. I glanced over at him, trying to read his expression. He was blank—stoic. I knew the storm was brewing beneath the surface.

"How long are we going to be gone?" I asked.

"Until things calm down. Or until we get a lead."

"What if we never get one?"

"We will. Liam will make a mistake."

Silence filled the car after that. I turned to stare out the window, lost in my own guilt.

~

We arrived at the private airport quickly. The jet was already waiting. Since our luggage had been left behind during the attack, we boarded with nothing. Czar assured me we'd buy what we needed later.

Once in the air and the seatbelt light dimmed, I stood to get some water. Czar was on the phone, and from the tone of his voice, I could tell he was speaking to Anderi.

"How many men do we have looking for Liam?" he asked. There was a pause, then he slammed his fist on the armrest. "That's not enough. I want every man on this."

I stopped listening, quietly sipping my water before returning to my seat. When I looked over, Czar's face was buried in his hands.

"What's wrong?" I asked gently.

"My mother's funeral is tomorrow. And I won't be there."

His words gutted me. He didn't even lift his head.

"Czar, I—"

"Don't. Just... don't." He finally sat up, his expression full of anguish. "You painted me as the villain. Said I ruined your life. But it was your father who did that. I didn't force you into anything. I helped you. And the one time I ask for something small, you go behind my back. Now my mother's dead."

I had no reply. I wanted to argue. To blame him. But I couldn't. He was right.

I turned to the window, and we didn't speak for the rest of the flight.

~

I must have dozed off, because I woke to turbulence and the sound of tires hitting the runway.

"Where are we?" I asked groggily.

"Hawaii," Czar said, already exiting the plane.

I hurried to follow, squinting against the setting sun. The sky was painted in soft pinks and oranges, the ocean a sparkling expanse of turquoise. Palm trees lined the landscape, and I felt the humidity kiss my skin.

"Really?" I whispered, breathless. "This is amazing."

Two women in traditional grass skirts approached us, placing flower leis around our necks.

"Thank you," I said, smiling.

They led us to the hotel—a stunning, luxurious building with glass walls and lush greenery.

"This place is magical," I said in awe as Czar checked us in.

He said nothing, taking the keys and walking away. I followed slowly, heart heavy.

"Czar—"

"Not another word. Please."

I bit my lip, turned away, and stayed silent.

There were so many things I wanted to say. But none of them would change the damage I'd already done. 

~*~

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