Chapter 12 #2
“Here you go, ma’am.” Darlene leans over me, her breast brushing against me as she hands Sienna a small plate of crackers and a variety of cheeses. “I thought you might something to go with the crackers.”
“Thank you.” Sienna takes the platter and places it on the tray.
“Of course. Anything else, just let me know.” Darlene looks at me while she speaks, then winks as she walks off down the aisle to the back of the plane.
Sienna picks up a cracker, pops it into her mouth, and goes back to her movie.
I’ve never wanted to crush a device in my hand before, but that phone needs to go.
If I was a kinder man, I would leave her to the movie and let her have time to adjust to what her new life is going to bring. But I’m not, and this isn’t about her life. It’s about the life her brothers destroyed.
“You said you’re a preschool teacher last night. Was that a lie?”
She gives me a side glance. “No.”
“No, it wasn’t a lie?”
“The only thing I told you last night that wasn’t not true was my name. And even that was only half untrue.”
“You also said you didn’t have any siblings.”
“That wasn’t a lie. My brothers are dead, so yeah—I don’t have any siblings.” She glares at me, willing me to call her out on the semantics.
I decide to go another route.
“So, you don’t often go to bed with men you’ve just met?” Sharp poke this time, and her reaction is spot on.
“No.” She turns in her seat, and the blanket slips from her shoulder, exposing the long, deep V-neck of the gown she’s wearing.
It’s a huge improvement from the tacky gown she wore for the ceremony. Maybe she’s not as tasteless as I thought.
“And you’re a special kind of asshole for thinking it’s okay for a man to go home with anyone he wants, whenever he wants, but tries to put shame on a woman who behaves the same way.
” She pushes another cracker into her mouth, though I think it’s more to keep from saying anything more than out of hunger.
“We’re going to be landing soon.” Darlene informs us.
Just as she turns to head back to the galley, we hit turbulence and she loses her balance, falling back toward me. In her attempt to catch herself, she trips over her own foot and falls into my lap.
“Oh, I’m so sorry!” She bats her eyes at me, playing the innocent damsel.
I help her up on to her feet. “How long until touchdown?”
She flashes a wounded look. “Ten minutes.”
“Darlene, I need your help with the cart. It’s stuck.” The second attendant calls from the galley, and Darlene goes back to work.
“She could be less obvious,” Sienna mutters beneath her breath.
“No more obvious than walking straight into a waiter with a tray full of drinks.” Retaking my seat, I pull out my phone to alert my men on the ground when we’re going to be arriving. We’re early, but they’ll be ready.
“I had no idea you were at the club last night. I didn’t even see you until you came over after I walked into the waiter. And if I had known you were there, we would have gone somewhere else. Last night was supposed to be about forgetting about this disaster, not jumping in a night early!”
Everyone has a tell when they’re lying. It could be a wrinkle of their eyes, a fidget with their hands, or a change in pitch with their voice. She shows no signs of lying. So either she believes what she’s saying, or it’s actually the truth.
She groans, pushing her hands against her ears as the plane begins to descend. The plane dips again, and she grabs for the arm rests.
“It’s just turbulence.”
“I know that.” She shoots the words at me, scooting back in her seat and sitting straighter. Her knuckles turn white.
“We’ll be on the ground in a few minutes,” I assure her.
She nods.
“You don’t like flying?”
“I don’t do it much. It’s fine. I’m fine.” She closes her eyes, inhales deeply.
She doesn’t look fine. She looks ready to hyperventilate.
I lean across the arm console and whisper in her ear. “You’re doing so good. Being so brave. We’re almost there.”
Her throat works as she swallows.
“Such a brave girl.” I run my fingertips along her collarbone. The blanket’s slipped down to her lap now, giving me a clear view of her cleavage.
Another bump from turbulence and she yelps.
“You’re okay. Another minute.” I trail my fingertip over her jaw. “No, don’t hold your breath. Breathe, Sienna.”
She swallows again and nods, but still she’s holding her breath.
“Bad girl, I said breathe. You can do it. Breathe with me. Inhale one…two…three… Exhale…one…two…three… That’s right.” Her eyelids squeeze, but she’s breathing along with me.
I place my hand over hers, gently easing it from the armrest and lacing my fingers with hers. Immediately, she tightens her grip. Thankfully, her eyes are still sealed shut, and she doesn’t see my grimace.
The girl has some strength.
Through the window, I see the lights of the runway coming closer and closer as we get ready to land.
“Almost there. A little bump now.”
She nods.
“Tiny bump.” The wheels hit the tarmac, and the plane jerks.
She squeezes my hand even harder as she internalizes a squeal.
A moment later, once we’re taxiing, I run the tip of my middle finger down the length of her nose.
“You can open your eyes now; we’ve landed.”
Her eyelids fly open, and her eyes meet mine immediately. A deep red blush covers her face.
“Good.” Realizing she’s still gripping my hand, she lets go and puts both hands in her lap. “Good.”
It only takes a few minutes to bring the plane to a stop. My cars are already parked and waiting for us.
The moment the plane stops, she throws off her seatbelt.
“Did you have anything else with you?” I ask as I step into the aisle to let her through.
“Just me and my purse.” She taps the bag she has strapped across her chest.
As we approach the plane door, Darlene stops me.
“I’m in Chicago for a few days. New number, though.” She slips a folded piece of paper into the front pocket of my suit.
Sienna’s gaze darts away, then she steps off the plane and heads down the stairs. When I catch up to her at the car, I hold the door open but grab her arm to keep her from getting in yet.
“You’re not coming with me?” She asks with a nod toward the second SUV. The back door stands open, waiting for me.
“Sienna—”
“You know what? I don’t really care what you do, Kaz. Sleep around all you want, since I don’t plan on ever letting you in my bed again. It’s better this way, right? You do your thing, and I’ll do mine.”
A flash of anger hits me so hot, I’m not sure how I haven’t melted the tarmac beneath my feet.
I pull her in closer so she can be sure to hear every word I’m about to say.
“Understand one thing, wife. If I ever find you doing your thing with another man, I will have his heart pulled straight from his chest while it’s still beating.”
Her eyes widen in shock.
I let her go and turn to the driver. “Straight home. No stops.”
“You got it, boss.”
Without another look in her direction, I stalk off to my car. Let her stew in her own anger.
Live her own life?
She has no idea what’s in store for her.
This isn’t a love match. This is revenge.
And it’s about to get started.