Destined to Fly - Indigo Bloome

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extreme the scenario, or my situation, the more intriguing the results, or at least that’s what Jeremy and his technicians tell me. Why? Why me? I have absolutely no idea. There is still so much I don’t fully understand.

      My fragile stomach and pounding head force me to turn away from their action-orientated strategising about my future, and I make my way into the en suite of the master bedroom. Attempting to distract myself from the reality of the threats hanging over my head, I splash my face with cold running water before collapsing on to our king-size bed and gaze out at the orchestrated picture-perfect scenery from our Disney Resort Hotel suite in Orlando, Florida. I am situated in what is marketed as ‘the happiest place on earth’ and ten minutes ago I would have argued vehemently with anyone who told me that wasn’t true.

      I had been blissfully happy. More happy than I almost believed any person deserved to be in a lifetime … but in one puff of smoke or, more accurately, one A4-sized envelope later, my happiness turned to dread and fear, thanks to Madame Madeleine Jurilique, the Managing Director of Xsade’s European Division. Also known as Madame Goldy or the Wicked Witch of Kidnap and Abduction. My body shudders in response to my memories of being abducted from Heathrow airport in London, drugged, taped to a wheelchair and concealed under a burka, and finally being transported through Europe in a suitcase to Xsade’s facilities in Slovenia. I retch again but there is nothing left to bring up except a lingering acidic taste of bile. What the hell am I going to do?

      Dr Josef Votrubec, who worked for Xsade, risked everything to ensure my escape from the facility beneath Lake Bled, before they could more or less drain me of a significant portion of my blood. Thank god he contacted Jeremy directly who, via the seemingly endless global resources of his friend and mentor Leo, managed to ensure my ultimate safety. Appallingly, the same thing can’t be said for Josef, who was captured at gunpoint by Xsade mercenaries just after handing me over near Dubrovnik. Jeremy, Martin and I managed our getaway in a sleek speedboat to rendezvous with a luxury cruiser. Although I had only known Josef for a short time, he risked his entire career to ensure my safety and for that I will be forever grateful. He is a kind man with a good heart. On the drive to meet with Jeremy, he told me of his love for his wife and how, so far, they had been unable to have children, a thought that always causes me pain knowing how forceful my own urges were to procreate when the time came.

      I can only hope and pray that he has been safely reunited with his wife, though as much as I want that to be true, I know deep down that the two men on the pier with the guns aimed toward Josef would in all likelihood have been Louis and Fred. They were the men who had guarded me in the castle embedded in the hills north of Ljubljana. Madame Goldy’s right-hand men.

      Josef’s betrayal of both Xsade and his boss, Madame Jurilique, would surely precipitate a reaction no human being would choose to experience. I have never met a more dangerous and narcissistic woman. Since my escape, Martin has provided us with regular updates and background on her, which makes her even more sinister. She operates in society as an elite, well-educated leader of industry and moves in circles of influence most people only dream of … well, people other than Jeremy and Leo, I suppose. Yet she has about as much heart as a ravenous anaconda carefully manipulating and devouring her prey. Shivers ripple through my body as my concern for Josef’s wellbeing reaches fever pitch. And now she wants me back within her vile corporate web for further experimentation, explicitly involving my blood.

      I have no doubt that Madame Jurilique will follow through on the threats contained in her letter. I still hold the letter apprehensively in my trembling hands, and I read it again as though I’m somehow willing its contents to have changed.

      Dear Doctor Blake,

      I do hope you have had a wonderful time recuperating in the Mediterranean with your lover and have enjoyed the delights of Disney World with your sweet children, Elizabeth and Jordan.

      It is so unfortunate that you were not able to properly conclude the entire 72 hours at our facility. After having provided us with such useful information, there is but one element we now require.

      Should you not be forthcoming in relation to our requirements we shall once again be forced to take circumstances into our own hands. The enclosed news headlines are but a sample of the strategies we will employ to ensure that we acquire what we need from you, so please let me be clear.

      We need your blood.

      If, for some reason, you decide not to cooperate with our request within the next ten days, we shall be forced to proceed with our global ‘Do you really know Dr Alexandra Blake?’ campaign. Needless to say, I shouldn’t have to remind you that we have some wonderfully explicit photographs and video clips to authenticate our headlines.

      While I have your attention, I should also mention that should this not procure your participation, we would look to acquire the next best thing — the blood of your children.

      I shall look forward to working with you again in the very near future.

      Sincere regards,

      Madame Madeleine de Jurilique

      If she can’t have access to me, she will ensure no one else does either, in any way, shape or form. I also have no doubt that keeping Jeremy and me apart would give her an added sense of psychotic joy, knowing that she is controlling me and he cannot do anything about it. The thought makes me nauseous all over again.

      Salina, who works for Martin as part of Leo’s security team, is still in Europe attempting to locate both Josef and Jurilique. During her investigations she discovered that Lauren Bertrand, the French member of Jeremy’s Global Research Forum, was bitterly disappointed that Jeremy was given the role of Project Leader rather than herself. An email exchange between Lauren and Madeleine promised that Jeremy would get what he deserves both professionally and personally. They just needed a little more time and patience.

      If anything happened to Jeremy or my children I don’t think I could live with myself. No, I know I couldn’t live with myself. The sheer evil of her suggestion is mind-blowing … if I don’t meet her demands, she will endeavour to procure the blood of my children! How dare she? She is one sick woman whose desire for power, money and ultimate market control means she will stop at absolutely nothing. How dare she threaten my children! They are my world, they mean everything to me. I will protect them with my life. And my blood.

      Once again, I return to the room Elizabeth and Jordan are sharing. My profound need to see their small bodies resting soundly is overwhelming. It’s difficult for me to believe that they are already nine and seven years old. Time has flown by so fast. My emotions are as raw as my love is strong. As I gently smooth the hair away from their angelic faces and kiss their foreheads, I lay my palms against their hearts so they can each sense my love for them drifting through their innocent sleep.

      ‘Sweet dreams, my cherubs. My love for you is as deep as the core of the earth and as high as the stars in the sky.’ My voice is low and heavy within my chest, and I breathe their presence deeply into my lungs before gently closing the door behind me.

      I return to the kitchen where Martin and Jeremy are still huddled over their notepads, brainstorming strategies and the next steps in my life. As soon as Jeremy senses me in the room he rushes to embrace me in his strong arms. Arms I so desperately long to be cradled in forever, but I know this will be impossible in the short term.

      ‘Don’t worry, sweetheart, we will get through this.’ He searches my face and cups my cheeks gently between his palms, tilting my head upwards to meet his gaze. I can’t help but notice that his beautiful features are riddled with anxiety; his green eyes are even smokier than ever given the depth of his emotion for me. ‘I won’t let her touch you or the children, Alexa. We will protect you at all costs. I promise you.’

      I swallow the lump in my throat that threatens to break me, knowing that Jeremy’s word is his bond and this is never more true than when his promises involve me. I have never in my life needed to be stronger with him than now.

      ‘Please sit down, Jeremy.’ I guide him back to his seat at the table, knowing I need the advantage of my standing position. I pause until I have their undivided attention.

      ‘I

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