Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 135958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
One guess who was going to sit there.
My phone buzzed, and I opened it up.
Hey.
Me: Who is this?
Blade.
I shot a look at Kai, but his back was still turned to me as he spoke to the pilot.
Me: How did you get this number?
Blade: Your man sent me a text with the number, said you’d be using it. You’re with him for real?
Me: No. I’m with him for Brooke.
Blade: He’s brainwashed you.
I waited a second before replying, my stomach rolling over on that one.
Me: Maybe. If he hurts Brooke, I’m going to kill him.
The phone rang, and I answered, “Hey.”
“What the fuck are you doing sending that text? It’s his phone. He’s going to be monitoring your texts.”
Kai turned now and made his way back. His eyes found me, took in the phone pressed to my ear, but he had no reaction. I shifted lower in the seat, getting more comfortable.
I lowered my voice, “He knows.”
“He knows?!”
“I told him.”
Blade sighed. “I don’t know what game you’re playing with him, or if that’s what you’re doing or not. Just…be safe, okay?”
My nerves were stretched so tight, I could’ve bounced a penny off them. “Oh, I will,” I remarked as Kai took the seat across from me.
We hung up, and I busied myself picking a new song.
“You didn’t tell him we were going to New York?” Kai asked.
I paused. “It’s none of his business.”
Kai frowned, but as I had in the car, I plugged in my headphones, buckled my seatbelt, and got cozy in my chair.
“You knew I would talk to him.”
Kai shrugged. “What part of being here of your own free will means you can’t make phone calls?”
“Touché.”
He frowned, then grinned. “Touché.” Sitting back, he pulled out some papers as we taxied to take off.
Once in the air, the flight attendant began serving us drinks and food. I asked for a blanket.
“There’s a full seat in the back.” Kai gestured behind us, and through a privacy curtain, I saw he was right.
It was almost big enough for two people to sleep on.
“I know you didn’t sleep last night,” he added.
“Do you?” Why did I bait him? I grimaced. “Don’t answer that.”
He didn’t, just smiled.
I didn’t know how to handle this Kai. He was smiling. He was kind. He was…not being calculating or ruthless, or holding the seat in a death grip.
“I thought you didn’t fly,” I said.
“I don’t, if I don’t have to.” He shuffled his papers. “And fear isn’t the reason we prefer not to fly. It’s because why risk another loved one the way we already lost one?”
His eyes were steady on me. He put his papers down, turning to face me as he leaned over the aisle. His voice lowered. “I will do almost anything for my family, and if traveling by vehicle a few extra hours is it, it’s an easy choice.”
“But flying to New York…”
“A necessary evil. I don’t have the time in my schedule to drive, and like I said before, you’re an exception.” His eyes heated before sliding to the back curtain. “You don’t want to lie down?”
I was tired. I was wired. I was all of the above.
I was confused mostly.
I shrugged, holding my phone with the music. “I’m good for now.”
He nodded, sitting back. He picked up the papers. “If you change your mind, I did pick this jet specifically because of that back area for you.”
Specifically?
Wait.
“You have more than one plane?!”
CHAPTER THIRTY
Hour one, I was content.
Hour two, I was restless.
Hour three, I took the flight attendant’s offer of a drink. I needed something to settle me.
Hour four, I went to sleep on the back seat. I left my phone and headphones in the other seat, so I could hear the background buzz from the engines. Every now and then, I caught a snippet of conversation from the guards. Their murmuring settled me somehow, lulling me into sleep.
Hour five, I woke to screaming.
I jerked upright, finding the flight attendant crouched on the floor next to me. Her hands covered her head, and she’d curled almost in a ball. She raised her head, and I could see she was terrified.
“What’s going on?”
Another scream.
I scooted to the side, my heart jackhammering.
The curtain had been pulled shut, and I reached forward.
“Don’t!” she hissed, grabbing my hand. “He’ll kill us.”
“Kai?”
“No. The man.”
The man?
“You will die!”
That voice didn’t sound human. It was high-pitched and animalistic, like a cat screeching.
I slipped to the floor to see under the curtain. A wall of men stood in front of me.
What do I do here?
Fear for Kai coursed through me, but my training also kicked in. Whatever was happening, letting the man stay in control was the wrong thing to do.
I moved to the opposite side, where the attendant was crouched. She watched me, her arms shaking. Tears slid down her face as she shook her head at me.