It was nine when he arrived back in his hotel room. More time was spent at the window, more time remembering her, while he smoked half a pack of cigarettes.
He packed after that, and just before he zipped his duffel bag closed, he took a second look inside, his eyes lingering on his socks.
Better pack an extra sock for yourself. You wouldnt want to freeze off anything you cant live without.
Chapter 4
He used the image of a crackling fire and sweet-smelling pillows to put one foot in front of the other as he came out of the alley. The black SUV had pulled to the curb and he could see the drivers blond hair through the window.
Mady was on time.
The significance in that made his smile widen. His wife had never let him down. Not ever. Why would she? Mady loved him. Would forever love him, no matter what.
And because she loved him she would do whatever he asked of her.
That was why he had married her. Not because he had loved her above all else, or because she was curvy and had a nice ass and firm tits.
The real reason hed married her was her loyalty. Loyalty was everything. He had only to snap his fingers and she would be there ready to give her life for his if he asked it of her. Even though she knew about his mistresses.
It hardly mattered, though. Her loyalty was not contingent on his. Mady knew her place in his life. Knew that it was a mans privilege to take what he wantedas much as he wanted, and as often as he felt like it.
Mady had known that from the beginning. Had known that he answered to no one but himself. Knew that whatever he desired, he would take.
Right now what he desired was to be out of the cold and in a hot bath, then a warm bed. Hed been on the run for three days and his hand hurt like a son of a bitch. He was hungry and tired, and anxious to have his wife tend to all of his needs, one at a time.
He pulled the drab gray stocking cap lower over his forehead as he left the alley behind. The dirty black coat he wore, hed stolen only moments ago off the dead man who slumped against the brick building with his throat slit.
He didnt hurry as he headed toward the SUV. The pain attacking his muscles made every step challenging, but then hed always been up for a good challenge. Still, he was in bad shape. Possibly the worst hed ever been in.
His body was on fire, burning up with fever. He steeled himself against the dizziness that threatened to knock him to his knees.
Four feet from the vehicle, the door swung open. He ducked his head and eased into the front seat. He bumped his useless hand and swore crudely.
The word useless filled him with a surge of rage, followed by the need for revenge. An assassin with a useless hand may as well turn the gun on himselfbut he wasnt going to. Instead he was going to find and kill the man responsible.
Bjorn Odell was going to die screaming. Die screaming while he cut him apart with a dull ice pick and fed him to a dog with a fork.
Mady reached across him and pulled the door shut. As she eased back behind the wheel, he caught the sweet scent of her. She smelled like lavender and a hint of lemon.
He studied her delicate features within the folds of her ugly brown scarf a shade darker than her wool coat. He had instructed her to dress warm, to borrow Jakobs SUV, and to come alone. She had done all three.
For a woman of thirty-six, Mady still had a youthful pixie face, and the blond hair peeking out of her scarf held no signs of gray. It was still a natural honey color, and as silky smooth as the day he married her.
Drive, Holic demanded. Then he added, You didnt tell anyone I was back, did you?
Nein. Not even Prisca. She will be excited, though. For weeks she has been asking when you were going to come for a visit. Are you sure you want to go to Groffen?
Im sure.
She put the vehicle into drive. Were very busy. Its the height of the season. What if?
Someone sees me? You forget I can disguise myself easily if necessary.
Why did you want me to meet you here in St. Anton, then? Why not Kitzbuhel or
I have my reasons. Did you ready my suite? The one I requested?
I did.
Then there is nothing to worry about. If I must flee, I will take flight. I always have a backup plan.
Prisca will be so happy to see you.
I do not want her to see me for a few days, Holic grumbled. Not until Im better.
Your daughter will not care what shape you are in. Only that you have come home. And for once I think it will be good for her to see that you are human. You have filled her head with grand stories. She talks of you like you are a hero in a fairy tale.
There is nothing wrong with that. She will never know the truth.
I know the truth and I still love you.
You are a rare breed, Mady. Some would say stupid, others would say blindly loyal.
Im neither stupid nor blind. You have seen to both. What I am is a woman cursed to love one man for all time.
They left the town of St. Anton behind, and as they began to head toward Zell am See, Holic asked, How is she? Is my daughter well?
Prisca has grown into a beautiful young woman. Otto Breit has come home from Graz often, and swears that one day hell take her away with him.