Salt Kiss – Episode 36
Morning returned their roles to them. Tristan was the guard, and Isolde was the woman he had been ordered to deliver. Neither mentioned the hand she had held through his nightmare.
He traced the ambush through estate communications. A false travel schedule had been inserted into the security system, proving someone expected Isolde to leave that morning even before Tristan arrived.
“Your father’s people are compromised,” he said. “We cannot trust anyone who knew the original route.”
“Including my father?”
Tristan did not answer. The possibility existed, but suspicion was not proof.
Isolde accepted his caution. She contacted no one and surrendered her phone for inspection, cooperation that made his job easier and his emotional distance harder.
Mark called through the encrypted line. He wanted them moved before nightfall and questioned every delay.
“She is safe,” Tristan reported.
“That was not my only question.” Mark had heard something guarded in his voice.
“Then ask what you mean.”
A pause followed. “Are you all right?”
Tristan glanced toward Isolde. “I’m doing my job.”
After the call, she observed that Mark sounded worried about Tristan rather than his future bride.
“He worries about what belongs to him,” Tristan said bitterly.
“Do you?”
The direct question left him silent. Isolde saw enough in his expression to understand that Mark’s claim had not been merely professional.
“I won’t ask you to explain,” she said. “But I would rather know the truth than enter a marriage built from secrets.”
Tristan looked at her and recognized the same demand he had made of Mark. Before he could answer, the safe house alarm indicated a vehicle approaching without authorization.