Destined to Fly: An Avalon Novel Read Free Page A

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 ofmy 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 gentlybetween 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 have made my decision.’
    He immediately jumps back up. So much for that strategy.
    ‘What do you mean, you have made your decision? We haven’t discussed anything yet, besides Martin and I have been working through options —’
    ‘Jeremy, please,’ I interrupt, ‘there is nothing to discuss. If my children are at risk there is only one solution.’ I steady my hands against the table and take a deep breath, preparing the words I need to release before they falter. ‘The bitch can have my blood. It’s only blood. I want this nightmare to end. If she gets what she wants, maybe my life will be left intact rather than in the pieces in which she seems determined to shred it.’
    I’m always shocked to hear myself unexpectedly swear, but it seems Madame Goldy brings out the very worst in me.
    ‘Over my dead body, Alexa. It is not going to happen.’
    A heaviness descends on his mood and the seriousness of his voice confirms that my decision is far from agreed from his perspective. This could be a very long night. He indicates to Martin by a nod of his head to pack up the notes on the table, then takes a firm grip of my elbow and steers me into the lounge room. I hear the front door quietly open and close. Here we go. I brace myself for the inevitable conflict and decide to make the first move.
    ‘I will not put my children in any danger, Jeremy, ever.’
    His arms wrap around me and he doesn’t let me go. He holds my head against his chest, pressing my ear to the beat of his heart, his lips