Chapter 30

James's house was no longer the mess it had been when he had left. Portia had been watching the window for several minutes as she couldn't wait for her father to arrive. She was a born party lover and wasted no opportunity to exploit the situation to the fullest.

Luna, meanwhile, was distracted by her computer in the kitchen. Clare had been telling her a couple of anecdotes about Mitchell and he sounded like a completely unusual man. James had told her that in his teenage years he had become one of her main father figures. After all, his father had died and Mitchell was the only one who had been there for him without wanting to sabotage him.

He was writing an email to his mother when his phone vibrated. He ignored it for a few seconds but then it did again. He looked at it quickly and the unusual message caught his attention.

He picked up the phone and read. What?

"See you soon, Luna. You can't keep me away if I don't go alone."

He chose to ignore it and with a distorted mind, left it on the table.

His thoughts were interrupted by a hand resting on his shoulder.

- Ready? - she heard James's soft voice. She turned and smiled at him. He answered. - Yes.

----

The walk to the place had been long and strangely calm. Iris had instantly hit it off with Luna and it didn't take her long to tell her embarrassing things about her family.

Clare knew about her daughter's pregnancy, and had done her best not to open her mouth to James, as she knew how much Iris wanted to tell him.

The huge Victorian-looking castle was surrounded by green fields and gardens filled with flowers and various roses. The interior, was covered with various renaissance paintings, and the marble floor was as shiny as a mirror. The corridor to the main hall was wide and large windows illuminated the whole place.

Upon entering, elegant white and French blue décor spread throughout the room. Luna watched everything with rapt attention.

Once at her table, the conversation went in different directions. Mitchell's anecdotes -who had not yet arrived-, James's anecdotes and an insistent conversation about Iris's baby.

However, nothing could distract Luna from the suspicious message she had received. She had reread it several times since they had arrived and hadn't said anything to James either. She knew he wouldn't drop the subject and probably wouldn't rest until she knew who had sent it.

Once Mitchell arrived on the scene, the mood changed completely. Could he be such a brilliant man? James adored him, as he wouldn't leave his side and whispered inside jokes in his uncle's ear all the time.

It didn't take him long to introduce Luna, and Luna had seemed very nice to him. Her uncle was a serious person, but she was one of the few people he really appreciated and expected her opinion from at every turn. It was good that he got along well with Luna.

He remembered that time where one of Portia's nannies had been strangely inappropriate at a family dinner and Mitchell was quick to let her know that if she didn't fire her, he would.

He walked outside and fumbled in his pocket as he searched for a cigarette. He hadn't smoked in a while but he really needed one now. It had been a stressful week.

He lit it quickly and set out to watch the nightscape in silence.

He was amazed at how huge the place was, and wondered how much his uncle was willing to pay for it.

His thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of his phone. He answered it.

- Hello? - he asked. - Hello?

James could only hear the breathing of the person on the other end.

- Hello? he waited a few seconds. - wrong number.

He got ready to hang up, but someone spoke.

- Twenty-four hours.

-What?

- You have twenty-four hours.

-Excuse me?

The person laughed.

- Enjoy your last hours.

James pulled the phone away from his ear. He didn't recognize the voice behind the phone, but he knew who it might be.

He scratched the back of his neck nervously and tried to remain calm.

It had been a long time since he had received a signal from Angelica, but he didn't doubt that she might be capable of doing that sort of thing.

He prepared to re-enter the room but was interrupted by Luna, who was approaching with a smile on her face.

-James! - she exclaimed, "Where have you been? Your mom was looking for you a while ago...

-Can we talk? In private. -he interrupted. Luna looked at him with concern and instantly realized something was wrong.

-Of course.

James grabbed her hand and pulled her inside. Luna looked at him worriedly, while he looked around for something that wasn't there.

-James, is something wrong?

-Yes, I, uh...something important, Luna. We have to go now.

- Why? Are you okay?

James sighed nervously.

- Angelica.

- What's wrong with her?

- She called me. We have to go, she threatened me.

- What? Can you be more specific?

How did I explain?

- She gave me twenty-four hours to live, okay? I don't know if he's serious, I don't know what his plan is but I know he's capable of doing anything and if so, you won't be with me for that.

- Twenty-four hours to live? Does he want to kill you today? - he asked. Her crystallized eyes began to fill with tears and her nose turned pink.

- I'm sorry, Luna. Everything will be fine, I promise, but we have to get out of here.

----

James got out of the van as he watched Portia fall asleep in the back seat.

- Will you tell me your answer? - James asked in a whisper as Luna appeared at his side.

- I'm not going to leave you.

- You have to get out of here, Luna.

- So? - she looked at him fearfully.

- What?

James took Portia in his arms and walked toward the door. Clare stood in front of them. She opened the door quietly and let her son in. His flushed face and puffy eyes made his concern evident.

Luna approached James as he set Portia down on the living room couch.

- Where am I supposed to go? Are you kidding? - she asked, looking at him intently. He denied.

-I won't risk anything happening to you, I couldn't bear it. I called Mark and he'll take you.

- What about you? What about Portia?

James sighed.

- We're leaving New York too.

- Where are you going?

- I know it hasn't been the best day, I'm sorry. I've gotten you into too much trouble, I'm really sorry. But I can't let her get to us, Luna. She's capable of anything.

- Nothing will happen to me.

- You don't know that. - she exclaimed in a low tone. If you want... I can exchange your ticket for one to Seattle.

- What? What are you talking about? I'm not going back to Seattle for a stupid phone call, James," she replied angrily.

James sighed in frustration.

- It's not a stupid phone call. Don't you realize how dangerous this could be?

- Why would I leave you and Portia alone? I won't, James, I'm not leaving," he replied imposingly.

- Well, then you will go to your original destination. - he looked at her angrily.

Luna walked quickly to where he stood. She stood firmly in front of him, who was distracted by some troubling thought. He looked at her instantly.

- Stop it.

- James, you can't be doing this.

He stopped in his tracks.

- I already have. - he replied coldly.