Once we were out of the rugged peaks, our trip became even more frantic as a helicopter waited to race us miles over stunning landscapes to a train station. There we barely had time to catch our breath before being escorted to private railcars on the next express train. Only now do I have a moment to reflect on the events. Anything could be about to happen, although it seems most likely I am going to be relieved of my post. The shame of dishonoring my position makes my cheeks burn, yet if confronted, I will not lie. Lila is an amazing woman, and if my undeniable attraction to her is my downfall, so be it. I am enough of a romantic to believe that somehow things will work out in the end. Hopefully, Madison will support Lila, although I think it may all depend on Zena and her influence.
As if I have conjured her with my thinking, Zena appears in the hallway. When she sees me standing at the end of the corridor, clearly guarding the entrance to the adjoining railcar, she pauses. “These cars are secure, Captain,” she says. “I arranged for them myself and have guards at the ready where necessary. No need to stand at attention.”
I relax a little but still keep a formal air. This is no time to get sloppy. “Thank you,” I say. “I was not sure of the situation, so decided to be overly cautious.”
“Perhaps you should have been more cautious before now,” Zena says, her dark eyes boring into mine. I do not look away. I have made questionable choices but will own up to them. This is not the time for making excuses.
“Perhaps,” I respond but otherwise let the moment linger. We stare at each other, and finally, Zena nods.
“I’ve arranged a uniform for you, as well as clothing for the others. The rest of your things will be sent from the resort and available at the next stop.”
This news is a relief. We are still in our ski clothing. “Thank you.”
“Go change. Then return here to resume this post. I’ve decided you are right. With the meeting about to take place behind this door, we cannot be too cautious.” As I turn to go, she holds up a hand. “We are not done discussing your part in this and your behavior.” A cold lump forms in my stomach, but I nod.
“I understand.”
“Do you?” Zena murmurs. “I will find you after the meeting. Be prepared to explain yourself, Captain.”
Snapping back to attention, I salute. “I am prepared, ma’am.” I feel Zena’s eyes on my face. Finally, with a shake of her head, she turns to go.
“We will see. Now go change into your uniform,” she says and then is past me into the railcar.
I do as instructed finding Lila in the hall already changed and lovely. As she looks at me, the desire to kiss her is strong, but I refrain. We are in enough trouble without someone seeing us being intimate. “Are you all right?” she asks, and I nod.
“For now. And you?”
She shakes her head but doesn't lower her eyes. “This is probably the end of my membership with the club.” Putting a hand on my cheek, I see the hint of tears in her eyes, but otherwise, there is nothing but resolve. “I won't apologize. You are…” She pauses as if considering the right word. “You are special to me.”
I cover her hand with mine, my heart beating faster at her statement, but not sure what to say. Our eyes hold until she takes her hand from mine and looks away. “Go change, Jael,” she says. “I need to join the others.”
Changing into my uniform, after years of practice, takes only minutes. I quickly return to the railcar's entrance and wait. It is not long before a sandy-blonde haired woman arrives. Her swagger and cheeky smile clue me in to who she might be, but I maintain my stance. “Well, aren’t you a badass, all ramrod straight and looking ready for battle,” she says in an Australian accent. “Suppose you want the super-secret password?” At this, I frown. Zena did not mention a password. Seeing my confusion, the woman laughs. “I’m messing with you,” she continues and holds out her hand to shake. “They call me Chloe...” She leans in and whispers, “…the Australian billionaire.”
Before I say I don’t care who she says she is, I will not let her in without confirmation, Madison comes down the hall. Another woman is with her. “The wiseass is with us,” she says clapping a hand on Chloe’s shoulder and then turning to the other with her. “And this is Kris. You spoke with her on the phone earlier.” Kris nods, and quickly breaks eye contact. Somehow, I know she would much rather be surrounded by her computers than standing in the hall with us.
“A pleasure to meet all of you,” I respond as I stand aside to allow them to pass. “Lila, Zena, and others in your group are already inside.”
“Best not keep them waiting,” Madison says pushing the panel to open the door. A look over her shoulder as the three of them go in reveals a diverse group of nine additional women around a long boardroom table. I wonder if this is all the group’s members as the door closes. With so many cultures represented, it would seem a challenge to decide on anything easily. Yet, seeing Zena at the head of the table makes me think she will not allow a stalemate.
Before long, I hear angry voices growing louder through the door confirming my suspicions. They do not see eye to eye. In a heavy Russian accent resonating at a timbre that penetrates the door easier than the others, I hear the word 'disband,' and my heart sinks at the idea. Indeed, the threat of their identities being detected is a considerable risk. Too many countries still exist where being a lesbian is frowned on, if not illegal. I cannot help but think about what would happen to Zena if word leaked. Perhaps disbanding the group, even if temporarily, while things are resolved with the Georgia DeLane threat, might be the best answer after all.
After a few more hours, the door to the railcar opens, and Madison storms out. “This is bullshit,” she tosses over her shoulder before she walks away. As I watch her go, the door closes behind us, yet I feel someone else come up beside me and look to see Lila followed her out. Her face is calm, no longer tight with worry.
Relief washes over me. She doesn't look like a woman who has been given bad news. “Are we okay?” I ask her softly.
She smiles and takes my arm. “At the moment. The club had other priorities.”
As much as I hate knowing the club is in trouble over other affairs, I am happy. Lila is okay, at least for now. “But Madison? Clearly she is not happy with the meeting’s outcome.”
Lila sighs. “No. And I don't blame her, but it's the best strategy.” Rather than comment, I wait to see if she will continue. After a beat, she does. “The club decided to lure Georgia out and confront her head-on. Help the police capture her.”
“I see,” I say with a nod. “And this involves Madison? And presumably Claire?”
“Yes. Most definitely. The bait is to be their wedding.”
I raise my eyebrows. “They are getting married?” I ask, surprised. They clearly love each other, but this seems so out of character for Madison.
“They are now.”
17
We are almost to Lila’s private railcar when a porter comes along the corridor to hand me a slip of paper. Seeing it, my stomach tightens. I don’t need to guess who the author is and what the message probably says. A quick glance to see Zena's handwriting confirms my fears. I have been summoned. Although she let me off the hook briefly in the hallway earlier, there was no doubt she would eventually want to revisit my behavior. Apparently, now is the time, and as I put the paper into my pocket, Lila is watching me. “Is that from Zena?” she asks. I nod, and her face falls a bit at the news. She knows as well as I do that the outcome of the meeting could be anything including my exile and the end of our affair. For a moment, I think she's going to say something, perhaps even that she's not ready to lose me. I realize in a moment that is how I feel about her. That losing her is the last thing I want. In the end, Lila stays silent.