Chapter 10
REGGIE
I stop short behind her. She’s standing at the bottom of the stairs, arms crossed tight over her chest, lips in a full pout.
“Bella, walk,” I warn.
Drago slips past us both, wordless, and disappears onto the jet.
“Nope. I’m not going.”
I bite back a groan. This fucking woman.
“Yes. You are. We’ve already established this.”
She turns, full of defiance, chin high. “Take me home.”
I step closer, a low chuckle rumbling in my chest. “I am.”
“No. Not to your silly little lad pad in America. Take me home—my home.”
Christ, she’s frustrating. And beautifully distracting.
“I’m going to count to three, Bella. If you haven’t got your ass up those steps by then, I’ll take matters into my own hands.”
Her mouth drops open, a flash of surprise breaking through. I don’t bother hiding my smirk.
“One…”
She doesn’t move.
“Two.” I arch a brow.
She takes a single step back, glaring at me like I’m the worst thing that’s ever happened to her. Maybe I am.
I doubt anyone’s ever told her no.
“Three.”
I lunge forward, grab her by the waist, and hoist her over my shoulder.
“Put me down, you beast!” She pounds her fists against my back, all fury and fire.
I shake my head, climbing the stairs and into the jet without slowing. Setting her down in a seat, I buckle the belt around her waist—tight.
Then I take the seat beside her.
“I was going,” she huffs. “You didn’t need to manhandle me.”
I don’t look at her. If I do, I might lose what little control I’ve got left.
“You didn’t listen. Lesson one—don’t defy me, Bella. It won’t ever end well for you.”
She answers with silence, jaw set.
The doors close, and the hostess appears with champagne. Bella grabs a glass without hesitation.
“Better, Princess?” I ask, voice mocking.
“I’ll need two more bottles to forget about today.”
“It ain’t that bad. Stop being dramatic. If you’d just listened to Theo weeks ago, we wouldn’t be in this predicament.”
“I don’t listen,” she spits.
“I noticed,” I say with a low chuckle.
“I’m still not marrying you. You might think kidnapping me will work, but it won’t. And why do you even want me in your house? Aren’t you scared I’ll plot your murder?”
That makes me look at her. Really look. Her pupils widen, her pulse visible at her throat.
“Are you going to kill me?” I ask, tilting my head.
“Uh, maybe.” She shrugs, pretending she’s not shaking.
“You won’t. Because if you do, you’ll be signing your own death warrant—sealed before your brothers could even get on a fucking jet.”
She swallows hard, shifting in her seat. But that fire doesn’t go out. It burns right through me.
“You don’t know me, Reggie,” she says quietly.
“No. I don’t. But we’ve got all the time in the world to fix that. Forever’s a long fuckin’ time.”
She scowls as I turn away and pull out my phone.
“Does this thing have Wi-Fi?” she mutters.
“Yes. Drago’ll set you up once we’re in the air.”
“Well, what do you suggest I do until then?”
I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose.
“Nap. Plot murders in your head. Keep drinking until you pass out. Stare out the window. Sit in silence. Pick one.”
“Great,” she says dryly. “Can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. Sounds thrilling.”
I grunt in response.
Yeah. This is going to be a long flight.