35. Eliza

35

ELIZA

W hen the doorman called from downstairs to say I had a visitor by the name of Archer Alexander and to ask for permission to send him up, I gave it, then fell to my knees, sobbing before I hit the floor.

"Should anything happen, a man named Archer Alexander will contact you. His code name is Z." I remembered every word Levi had told me, praying the only time I saw the man would be when my beloved husband was with me.

I heard the knock, got to my feet, and opened the door. My arms and legs felt almost too heavy to move as I slowly made my way to the sofa. I fell as much as sat on the cushions. Z sat beside me.

"I have received word from Typhon, asking I escort you to a secure location."

"Is he alive?"

"As of twenty minutes ago, yes."

"What's going on?" I asked.

"When I say I don't know, I am speaking the truth. My sole objective at this time is to take you somewhere you'll be safe. I promise you that when I know more, I will tell you."

"Where are you taking me?"

"To a secure location not far from here. I've made arrangements for a vehicle to meet us on the lowest level of the car park. The lift will be secured from here to there. Please pack a bag as quickly as you can and bring only what's essential. Anything else you require will be provided. You will remain under protection twenty-four hours a day. For your safety, you will not be permitted to leave until such time as Typhon returns or I'm instructed to relocate you again. Do you understand?" Z asked.

"I do." I wiped my tears and squared my shoulders. Levi was still alive. I would do everything I was told, so when he did come home to me, I would be there to greet him.

"We should be on our way as soon as possible."

"Will I be permitted to speak with anyone?" I asked.

"I'll make sure secure communication channels are set up. However, I advise you to take every precaution in what you say, regardless of how trustworthy you believe the person receiving the information is."

I had no doubt Z meant Niven.

"My understanding is you're no longer with SIS," I said.

"I am not, but I assure you I have their backing in the same way I would if I was still chief. Not only that of MI6, but the full force of Unit 23, as well as the coalition of which I'm sure you're aware, is mobilizing."

"To do what?"

"Find Typhon."

"This is his building," I said when we pulled into the underground car park across from the pub where Levi and I had first met.

"It's among the most secure in all the UK. You will be safe here."

"Have you any idea where he is?"

Z shook his head. "Not yet."

We exited the vehicle within steps of the lift; three other SUVs surrounded us as Z led me to it and up to the highest floor.

When we entered Levi's apartment, Kima and Hornet were both there, waiting.

I rushed over to her, and we embraced.

"We've secured the entire floor," Hornet said to Z. "No one other than members of our team will have access."

Z nodded once and approached me, holding out a mobile. "This has been set up to receive messages and calls only from those who've been approved. I'll need to take your personal device."

I pulled it out and handed it to him.

"I'll be in touch."

I thanked him and watched as he returned to the lift. Part of me wanted to beg him to stay, knowing if Levi made contact with anyone, it would be him.

"What about his parents?" I asked, looking between Kima and Hornet after Z left.

"They're safe," Hornet responded.

I nodded as Kima led me to the sofa. I was just about to take a seat when something caught my eye. After pulling my arm from hers, I raced over to where our drawing hung on the wall.

Kima came to stand beside me. "We'll find him and bring him home safely."

"I pray so." I turned to her. "He's my husband. We're married." My voice was so choked with emotion that I could hardly get the words out.

She tried to hide it, but I could tell by the look on her face that the news was a surprise.

"We didn't tell anyone." After the day in the pub, when Niven said he'd found the marriage record, Levi informed his parents, saying we'd eloped.

Between then and now, Levi had been gone more than he was at home.

I took the framed drawing from the wall and carried it over to the sofa. "Is there anything you can tell me?" I asked.

Kima looked up at Hornet, who cleared his throat.

"Typhon participated in an op to rescue Penelope Ramsey?—"

I gasped. "Is she all right?"

"She's safe and in a secure location."

"My apologies for interrupting," I said.

Hornet nodded and continued. "From what we've been able to piece together, Typhon exited the aircraft at Gatwick when the others traveling with him did. He left on his own, but as soon as he pulled off the tarmac, he turned off all tracking devices. After reviewing CCTV footage, it appears he reentered the airport, parked, and went inside. While we haven't been able to determine where he went from there, we are collecting footage from all international airports."

"Would I be permitted to ring Niven?" I asked.

"Yes," Hornet answered.

"Where is the bedroom?"

"I'll show you," Kima said, motioning for me to follow. She opened a door to a room I immediately knew was Levi's. "I'll be here with you, so if there's anything at all you need or want, just tell me."

Her eyes filled with tears like mine had when I said, "Bring my husband home. That's all I'll ever need."

After closing the door, I rang Niven, who picked up immediately.

"Eliza, I've been trying to reach you. I need to see you as soon as possible."

"So you've heard?—"

"Heard what?"

"Levi is missing."

"Bloody hell," he muttered under his breath. "When?"

"I'm not exactly certain, but I think as of earlier today."

"Where are you? I'm on my way."

"Hang on. I need to make sure…"

"Of what?" he said as I exited the room in search of either Kima or Hornet. I found him first.

"I'd like to see my cousin. Will that be permitted?"

He looked at his mobile, then nodded and held out his hand for the one Z had given me.

"Saint? I've just sent coordinates and instructions."

He ended the call a couple of seconds later, then returned the phone. "He said he's on his way."

I padded down the hall to the bedroom and lay down, resting my head on the pillow. The bedclothes were freshly laundered, so none of Levi's scent lingered, and I longed for it.

When I rolled to my side, I noticed a framed photo of the two of us together. It was from the day he proposed, but he'd never mentioned it to me, and there was no indication of who had taken it. In it, he was on bended knee, looking up at me. The love we had for each other was so apparent on our faces. How would I survive a life without him? The answer was easy, I couldn't.