Chapter 10
Ethan walked off the plane into the sunshine-filled airport of Pitra's capital city airport, an unsettling sense of irritation tightening his jaw. He longed for the comfort of his hometown, but Elijah's absence, and the rumors surrounding Tara’s marriage, fueled his frustration.
Tara, Ethan conceded, was beyond redemption—an unattainable pursuit. However, Kaia remained within his grasp. He was determined to reclaim what he deemed to be his possession, harboring a brilliant plan for her return. The anticipation of vengeance and possession unfolded as Ethan's delightful plan spurred him to hurry through the crowds in the airport.
After getting through the interminable lines for the immigration officers, Ethan stuffed his passport into the inside pocket of his suit jacket and looked around. Almost immediately, he noticed the group of drivers in black suits holding up signs indicating which client had hired them.
He noticed the sign with his name and mentally nodded approvingly. His assistant had done a good job of arranging his travels for this trip. Walking towards the man, he nodded to the thin driver. “I’m Ethan Howell.”
The man immediately nodded. “Good to meet you, sir. May I take your bags? ”
Ethan immediately released his small, carry-on luggage, sighing with relief that someone was finally treating him with the respect he deserved. He’d flown first class to Pitra, but the flight attendants hadn’t catered to him as they should have. He was a wealthy man, after all! The flight had been pleasant enough, but still, this driver carrying his luggage soothed his ruffled feathers.
“My assistant booked you for the whole week, correct?” They’d made their way out of the airport to the line of taxis and limousines.
The driver hefted the luggage into the trunk of a black town car, nodding his agreement. “Yes, sir. All week, I’ll be available to drive you anywhere you need to go.”
“Excellent,” Ethan replied, pulling the sides of his suit closer together as he tried to ignore the crushing heat of the afternoon sun. Did this country ever cool off? Thankfully, the driver had the air conditioner running on full blast, so the interior of the vehicle was pleasant.
After checking in at his hotel, he met with the private investigator that he’d hired here in Pitra, getting an update. No need to do the searching himself. He’d tried catching Kaia on his own back in the United States and Ethan had enjoyed the game of cat and mouse over the years. He’d truly enjoyed seeing the panic on her face whenever he’d caught up with her. However, the little bitch had repeatedly escaped his clutches through her wily moves.
Now, armed with the knowledge that Kaia was stranded in a foreign land, devoid of the escape maneuvers she'd cunningly executed in the past, Ethan's determination intensified. With a conviction bordering on obsession, he believed he could apprehend her and drag her back into his clutches. The private plane he'd arranged for the return journey added an ominous touch, a clandestine element amplifying the gravity of his intentions. The private plane would allow Ethan to avoid involving authorities. Outside of his private community, Ethan knew that he had to mask his true motives, wary of potential accusations of kidnapping, insisting that, in his eyes, he was merely reclaiming what was his. The tension simmered beneath the surface, causing him to almost tremble in anticipation at the impending confrontation.