Let her go

IVAN
~•~

Even while far away from her, it was impossible to keep my eyes off her because I did not want to. It was torture being by her side every moment, not knowing if or when she would be snatched by someone. I could only hope that she listened to me and stayed in a place. I made sure I did not go too far from her - or, I did my best to make sure - but I could not keep up for long. Vladimir insisted we walk around the beach and I met all his grandchildren before he let me go.

"Where is your lady?" He asked while he put his hand over my shoulder. I merely managed a chuckle and shook my head in silence.
I was not about to expose Camilla to more danger than she already was.
"You're not with a beautiful woman?! My boy! What has gotten over you these days? You should relax more, Holloway Empire is as big as it gets. You'll do great, your father had faith in you."

I knew he did and it was the reason I never wanted to let him down.

As we walked down the beach, something in me asked me to tilt my head backward, just to take a look at Camilla. At first, I thought I could not stay away from her which bothered me, but I fought to ignore it. But the tingling in the skin of my neck continued. My heart began to beat at an insane pace, the further I walked the colder I became.
Soon, I allowed myself to give in to the urge to look at her. It was just one look, it could not possibly change any…

My eyes widened in shock and I turned fully to stare at her. Camilla seemed frozen to a spot, but she was forced to move. Someone - I could not tell the gender, the person was in a hoodie - pressed something to her back and led her away from the crowd slowly.

Adrenaline or anger, fear or confusion, I could not tell which came before the order. What I do know is that my jaw stiffened in anger, while my heart pounded against the walls of my chest.

"Are you alright, my boy?" It was only when I heard his voice that I remembered he had been standing close to me. I turned sharply towards him.
"Do you have guards around?" I asked, trying my best to sound as calm as I could, but I knew that the fear in my eyes and the beads of sweat trickling down my forehead had betrayed me.

He did not ask me any questions or answer mine. He only took one look around us. His eyes narrowed on Camilla when it landed on her. I could tell he had seen what I saw.

He picked up his phone from his pocket and dialed a number. He soared me a glance and nodded towards Camilla, giving me a go-ahead.

If I was going to kill somebody at his party, I had to make sure he was aware.

My feet picked up a pace I had never known I could run - at least, not for three years - I pushed past a crowd of people, and I could feel my heels kiss the top of my back. They were getting farther and farther away from me. I ran as fast as I could. I stole a champagne flute from a table by my side. I swore to the heavens that whoever it was that had Camilla was going to meet whatever forces they believed in, and tonight!

When I was close enough, I made sure I had a perfect aim - thank the good Lord for archery and dart classes - before I hurled the champagne flute at the head of Camilla's captor.

"Jesus Christ!" The loud cry was accompanied by three loud gunshots blasting into the air.
The crowd scattered almost immediately. Without knowing the reason, people ran helter-skelter, covering their heads in fear.

Something in me sparked at the sound of the first shot. My eyes widened as I stared at Camilla. Her assassin had ducked away from her. My glass had hit him right in the head, causing his gun to fall from his hand. The silencer lay in the sand, just beside him.
I did not know if I could run fast enough to reach the gun before he did, but I knew Camilla would run to me quicker.

She turned around, her eyes landed on mine. They were filled with tears, glistering with fear.

"Camilla! Run!" I screamed at the top of my voice. The urgency and fear that emanated from every pore of my skin stocked me. I had never been so scared in my life, never.
She did not need me to say it twice. She was quick on her feet, running as fast as she could.
My heart did not stop pounding until he crashed into my arms and I pulled our weights down to the ground. Her back kissed the sand while I landed on top of her.
I had seen too much of tragic movies not to know that keeping your back to your assailant was a very stupid idea.

Another long round of gunshots filled the air. Camilla's fingers gripped my shoulders firmly, she shivered violently underneath me.
I could see tears run down her eyes. Even though she was safe, the fear did not leave, her lips did not stop trembling.
Molten rage coursed through my veins, poisoning my blood and my sense of reasoning. I wanted to spring up to my feet and drive several bullets into the head of the man that had dared to lay a hand on her.

"Ivan…Ivan…I'm…I'm scared." She muttered, her voice was soft and filled with terror. I cupped both her cheeks and stared into her teary eyes.

"You're okay, Camilla. I'm here, you're safe."
"He…he was…he was going to kill me. Why? Why would anyone want to kill me?"

Fuck! I was losing my mind. Seeing her there, helpless, my thoughts were running at an insane pace, almost too fast for my brain.

"I don't know, Camilla. But I'm here now, nothing is going to happen to you."
She shook her head violently. The more I tried to reassure her, the more frantic she became.

"Hold him down! Make sure he doesn't escape!" I heard voices from a distance. A tall shadow lurked over Camilla and me.

"We do not know if he came with accomplices, but I suggest you leave the party now and do not return to the hotel you came from, he might have partners waiting for you there." It was Trofin's voice.
I rolled away from Camilla's body, but she clung to the hem of my shirt.

I took one slow look at her before my eyes met with Trofin's.
"I'm very sir. I didn't mean to ruin your birthday party."

Trofin managed a small smile and waved his right hand.
"Oh! You did nothing boy! This was all him…" His gaze traveled to the hooded man being bundled away by broad-chested guards.
"And I would make sure he pays for it. Just be a careful boy."

"I will sir."

He walked away from us and I picked Camilla from the floor and spooned her in my arms as we walked out of the beach. She was cold, so cold. She didn't say another word.

We were escorted to the airport. I was going to make sure we returned home immediately. I knew Trofin would take care of the bastard that had dared to touch her. I did not need to worry about that.
All I needed to know was the person who had sent him.

This could not have been an ordinary attack. Whoever had sent the killer to Camilla knew that she would be here, knew that I would be here with her.

They also knew the venue of the party and thought it was wise to lurk around and wait. Also, they knew just what Camilla looked like and who she was to me.

Even on the plane, while Camilla was wrapped in a large duvet and lay on the bed, I couldn't bring myself to stop thinking about what had happened. If I had turned back, even five minutes late, she would have been gone. I would have lost her and all for what? All because I could not stay away from her.

I had known from the beginning that bringing her close to me was putting her in danger. I had enemies all over the world, even in my corporation.

Camilla was not built to be my side. She was not tough enough to belong to my world. I was a fool to think otherwise. And my foolish mistake had almost cost her life.

I watched her finally fall asleep.

My mind was made up.
Once we returned to LA, she was going back home.

She was safer and better without me. For once, I had to decide for someone else other than myself.