Chapter 28
ALICE
We are on our way to the airport, and I am struggling a little. On the one hand, it’s amazing to be holding the hand of my husband. Then on the other it’s as if I’m leaving behind an important part of myself. The one where I had a mission. The one who demanded answers.
Tension is high as we make the journey, surrounded by dark security.
Simeon is on edge, his brow rarely unfurrowed, and his right-hand man Jack sits in stony silence up front with the driver.
For once the partition is down and occasionally they speak in guarded tones, in some kind of coded language.
I don’t pretend to understand what they refer to, and after a while, I zone out. Milan is impressive, and I have always loved Italy. As children, we traveled extensively and yet were never given the freedom to explore.
Now nothing had changed. I have everything that money can buy except for my freedom, and I am lamenting the fact that my quest for answers appears to be firmly on the back burner.
We reach the airfield and I note the private aircraft waiting patiently on the tarmac. The steps are extended, and Simeon’s guards are surrounding it, one eye on the horizon, their guns already drawn.
A knot forms in my stomach as the true reality of my situation hits hard.
I married a criminal.
An armed one, a dangerous man, and a man who shows no mercy.
The massacre in the last private jet I witnessed appears to have washed off me like soap with water.
There is nothing clean about how I feel inside as I contemplate the many men who have died already because of me.
Will Simeon be next? Jack, or even me? Are my sisters safe?
It’s an impossible situation and nerves are beating hard inside me.
The car stops at the foot of the steps, and I can make out the pilot with his headset on, speaking into it already.
My heart jumps as Simeon pulls me from the car, his guards forming a tight circle around us as we hurry up the steps.
Once I’m inside, Simeon points to a seat nearby. “Strap in, we leave immediately.”
I do as he says, my nerves wrecking my calm resolve because what if it happens again?
That somebody storms the plane and guns down Simeon and his guards.
What if I’m taken and another man forces me to, well, I can’t even go there?
I clench my fists as the jet engines start, and as Simeon takes his seat beside me, I register the firearm primed and aimed at the aircraft door.
“Should I have one of those?”
He doesn’t take his eyes off the door as the plane begins to move. “Can you shoot?”
“No, but I’m guessing it would be an instant lesson in self-defense if my life depended on it.”
“I’ll teach you when we get to New York. I’ll even buy you a gun for your birthday.”
“You’re such a romantic husband. I’m a lucky girl.”
My sarcasm only causes him to chuckle, and if anything, I’m glad of it. Serious Simeon scares the panties off me because in those moments, I realize exactly what I signed up for.
As the jet screams down the runway, I hold my breath, expecting the unexpected. The brakes to slam, my body to fall forward, and the explosion of gunfire to destroy my world.
It’s only when we break through the thin clouds, do I expel the breath I was holding and Simeon lowers his gun with a huge sigh of relief.
“Thank fuck for that.”
“We made it.”
He shakes his head. “We made it into the sky. It’s what’s on the ground waiting for us that could be a problem.”
“You mean we’re still not safe.”
My frustration grows, and he slips his hand in mine and says with a reassuring smile. “Always three steps ahead, Alice. Trust me.”
His dark gaze could strip the bravery from the world’s most courageous man, and yet it comforts rather than terrifies. I love how ruthless he is, yet is gentle with me.
I’m afraid of what he can do, but afraid of him not doing it with me.
The thought of some other woman sitting beside him, receiving his attention, his devotion even, causes jealously to take root in my soul.
When I told him he was mine, I meant every word, and nobody is more surprised about that than me.
I’m surprised when he turns to me and says with no emotion, “I’ve arranged a meeting with your grandfather for the day after our return.”
“You have. When?”
I’m astounded, and he grins. “I asked Jack to arrange it. You’re welcome.”
“You mean it was that easy all the time.”
“It always is, which is why I was so pissed when you gave me the slip. You must work with me, not against me because it sure helps keep trouble from my door.”
“But how was I to know? I never even realized you were waiting for me.”
I roll my eyes, and he nods, a thoughtful expression on his face.
“I suppose, but it demonstrates my point. You put your trust in wolves wrapped in sheep’s clothing and look where it got you.”
“Married to you.”
I glare at him, and his grin could strip a nun of her dignity without shedding her clothes. It’s actually morally wrong to look at him. Sin personified in human form, and my heart races as I whisper, “Why do I want you, Simeon? You are a guilty pleasure I can’t shake the habit of.”
The deepening of his gaze stirs the lust inside me, and he unfastens his seatbelt and does the same for me. “Come.”
He guides me to a cabin, which turns out to be the toilet, and as he locks us in the small space, he wraps his hands around my waist and shifts my ass on the ledge beside the sink.
It’s so crowded in here and I almost lose my mind when he unzips his pants, sliding my panties aside and without a word, plunges deep inside my pussy.
“Fuck!” I bite my lip as he pumps in hard, my head rolling forward as I cling on, my hands on his shoulders.
He says nothing, just a deep groan as he fucks me hard, my ass screaming because it’s not very comfortable on here. It’s raw, sexy as fuck and wicked, and as the scream rises from deep inside me, he slaps his hand against my mouth and grunts his release as mine joins it.
As my heart explodes and my breathing slows, I cling onto him, disguising the smile on my face. That was exactly what I needed to release the building tension, and despite feeling dirty and used, I also feel treasured and content.
Simeon has a way of ripping your principles to shreds while trampling on your dignity, yet making you his queen. It’s a rare gift and one I hope to treasure on many occasions such as this. It was exactly what I needed when I needed it, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
“Welcome to the mile-high club, baby.”
“I’m honored to be a member.” I whisper, causing him to chuckle.
“I should have told you there’s a bedroom next door, but this was way more fun.”
“Are you serious?”
My eyes widen as he nods, pulling out and grabbing a handful of paper towels, mortifying me further by slapping them against my pussy, as he cleans me up with a suggestive wink.
“You can go and sleep. I have business to attend to with Jack.”
He cleans himself off in the sink, and I steady my breathing.
Life is certainly an adventure with him, and I’m surprised to discover I wouldn’t have it any other way and as we steal out of the toilet, we go our separate ways as if nothing just happened.
As if he just didn’t tie my soul in knots and place my heart under lock and key.