Chapter 44
GREYSON
Hailey’s usually radiant face was unusually still and lifeless.
I leaned back and nodded to the captain's inquiry. Ready for takeoff.
He was paid well to be ready at a moment's notice and to mind his own business.
The cabin hummed around us. Black crocodile leather. Silver-embroidered monograms. Deep mahogany paneling that absorbed the light.
The trappings of my obscene wealth.
I had already checked her breathing and pulse several times to assure myself I hadn’t taken things too far. I’d brought it to the line, but her breath was steady and her eyes clear. She’d wake up soon enough.
I took a seat next to hers and brought out my phone.
There were several messages from Jameson, all escalating threats.
Jameson: Where the fuck are you?
Jameson: Skylar told me about your new pet. She’d better be dead. The last thing I need is one of Madison’s friends running their mouth.
Jameson: I swear to god, if you haven’t put her down, I’ll bury you with Pierce. Hell, I’ll throw Skylar in the same fucking grave so you two can fight over that whore for all eternity.
Fuck Jameson. Fuck Skylar. And fuck me for ever being tempted by her in the first place.
Jameson was expecting an answer.
Fuck him.
Finally, Hailey stirred.
She flinched, sitting up with visible difficulty. Her dark, beautiful eyes widened as they adjusted to the dim interior and took in her surroundings.
“Welcome aboard,” I murmured, allowing my gaze to linger on her.
“Where am I?”
I reached for the bottle of chilled Krug Clos d’Ambonnay champagne and poured us both a glass without answering her.
“What did you do, Greyson?” she spat, every word etched with venom.
Her fingers clutched the armrest, nails digging into the lush leather.
The rich aroma of roasted lamb and fresh baked bread wafted in from the adjacent room.
I pushed a champagne flute in front of her and held mine aloft in a mock toast.
“Soon you’ll dine like a queen,” I mused aloud. “Fitting, don’t you think?”
She shot me a scathing look. “A captive queen. Where am I?” she repeated.
“You’re currently on my private jet on your way to New York.” I took a sip and studied her reaction.
“You kidnapped me?”
I stretched out my arms and gestured to our surroundings. “Kidnapped is such an ugly word for such luxurious surroundings.”
“You kidnapped me.”
“Agree to disagree.”
“There is no agreeing to disagree. I’m stating a fact.”
“You haven’t even tried your champagne.”
“And let you poison me? I don’t think so.”
I reached over her seat and picked up her glass. Keeping my gaze on her, I took a long sip, then handed it back to her.
She took the glass and threw the contents in my face.
I removed the linen napkin wrapped around the bottle and blotted the liquid off. “Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. That was an unforgivable waste of perfectly good champagne.”
She raised the arm clutching her empty champagne glass. “Unforgivable! You’re”—she pointed the end of the glass at me—“going to talk to me about unforgivable?”
I reached over and snatched the glass from her hand. No reason to give her more ammunition. “Fair point. You’re forgiven.”
Her fingers clenched into fists. “I didn’t ask for your forgiveness.”
“And yet I gave it to you anyway because that’s just the kind of decent man I am.”
I’d hoped to get a rise out of her and she did not disappoint.
She tried to stand but fell back when the seat belt tightened around her lap. With an adorably feral growl, she snatched open the seat belt latch and tried again. This time succeeding in launching herself into my lap, claws bared. “Decent man! Are you fucking kidding me?”
My hands wrapped around her wrists as I wrestled her against my chest. “You have a dirty mouth.”
The moment she gasped, I wrapped my other hand around the back of her neck and pulled her in for a kiss, sweeping my tongue inside her mouth. She tasted like champagne and fury. As I kissed her, I lifted my hips to grind my hard cock against the backs of her thighs.
Her head jerked back. Breathless, she twisted her fingers into my shirt. “And you have a dirty mind.”
I eased my grip on her neck to push my fingers deeper into her soft, curly locks. “Aren’t we a pair.”
“We are not a pair. You are a kidnapper and possible murderer. You’re taking me to New York?” she spat out. “Why New York?”
“There is a man there I trust who owes me a favor.”
“What kind of favor?”
“A special one that requires secrecy.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Who is this guy?”
“A priest.”
Her chest rose, brushing her perfect tits against me. Erratic and worked up looked good on her. “Sweating heaven, Greyson? Are you going to confess what I can only assume are your many…many…sins, including kidnapping me?”
I shifted to place my arms around her waist and strengthened my grasp. I would need a tight hold on her. “Not exactly. We’re getting married.”
Her grip on my shirt loosened as she tilted her head back and laughed. “Married? Very funny.”
“I’m not laughing.”
Her brow furrowed. “You can’t be serious?”
“I assure you I am. Deadly serious.”
“Married?”
“Married.”
“To you.”
“To me.”
She leaned back, pushing against my arms. She studied my face for several breaths, then said, “No.”
“You stumbled upon something monumental regarding my associate’s vengeful intentions. Silence is golden, Hailey. Our marriage will ensure yours. It’s simple. Marry me and you live.”
She pressed a hand over her heart. “Wow. Just the kind of proposal every girl dreams of. Marry me so I don’t have to kill you.”
I cupped her jaw and ran my thumb over her lower lip. “Well, I am a romantic.”
“No.”
“You don’t get to say no.”
“And yet, I just did.”
“Cute.”
“Fuck you.”
“Maybe later after a post-wedding snack. Did I mention there’s a bed on this plane?”
She pushed off my lap and rose to pace in front of me, hands on her hips. “I won’t be a piece in your sick little chess match.”
“But you already are,” I responded coldly. “You wouldn’t listen, Hailey. This is the only way to keep you safe.”
“Safe? With you? What a joke. Turn the plane around.”
“I’m afraid that’s not an option. It’s too late for that. FAA regulations, and all.” I smiled.
“You think some stupid piece of paper is gonna stop me from telling the entire world the truth? From trying to save my friend? If anything, giving me your last name gives my story merit. They might not listen to a nobody with conspiracy theories, but as your wife? Reporters will fight to get to me.”
“Fighting me is pointless. And a little stupid. I’m trying to keep you safe, Hailey, and if you thought about it for more than a second, you’d realize that you have far more to gain from staying with me, by my side, than you ever could alone.”
Her defiant eyes locked onto mine. “You underestimate me, Greyson.”
I set my glass down then rose and advanced on her until she fell back into her seat. I leaned my hands on her armrests and loomed over her. “That’s where you’re wrong. I’m counting on that fire. Together, we’ll be unstoppable. Don’t you know how powerful a married woman without a prenup is?”
Tears threatened at the corners of her eyes, but her chin jutted out. “And if I refuse? If I fight you at every turn?”
“Then it will be a marriage of thrilling battles,” I replied. “But in the end, I’ll still win.”
Hailey’s voice was barely audible over the jet’s engines. “You may have me trapped now, Greyson, but remember, every game has its end. And I don’t like to lose.”
I leaned closer, our faces inches apart. “That makes two of us.”