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“I love your jet, Apollo.”
Melissa smiles with appreciation and I settle down beside her and nod.
“It’s okay, I guess. Although from what I understand, you are not new to traveling this way.”
“No, but our jet is a little more practical. Clinical even. Yours has a little touch of home that makes it cozier somehow.”
As Chloe hands Melissa a glass of champagne and a whiskey for me, her fingers brush against mine and I shake my head, noting the light dim in her eyes as she realizes this particular flight won’t involve any extras.
She glances at Melissa with a curiosity that irritates me. Almost as if she is something more and I say roughly, “Thanks, Chloe.”
I dismiss her because Chloe must understand this is business. I need to remember it’s business and so I take a deep breath as the engines start and say lightly, “Change of plan, darlin’.”
“What?” She turns from looking out of the window and as the jet taxis to the runway, I force a reassuring smile on my face.
“Have you ever been to Italy?”
“Yes, why?”
She appears puzzled and I say carefully, “I have business there, so we’re making a detour.”
“To Italy?”
Her eyes widen and I shrug. “Yes. Some family friends of ours own an island off the coast of Sicily. We’re heading there for a few days. I hope you don’t mind.”
“For business?” She smiles reassuringly. “It’s fine. I’m used to business coming first. It’s something Troy would do.”
I hate how that makes me feel, and she reaches across and takes my hand. “It’s okay. You sort out your business and then we can take that vacation, perhaps.”
She glances out of the window as the plane leaves the runway.
“I’m just happy to leave this weather behind and the problems at home.”
Her words twist the knife a little deeper and I drain my glass, wishing that Chloe had left the bottle. Fuck my life. I can kill a man in cold blood. Take a knife to his throat or gut him like a pig, but destroying this beautiful woman’s world for the second time in a year is the hardest thing I have ever had to do.
CHAPTER 20
MELISSA
Part of me is disappointed that we aren’t heading to the Caribbean, but the other part of me is cheering. Italy. I’ve been there before, but not like this. Apollo is unlocking a side to him that I’m interested in discovering. I understand he leads a dark life. The way he dealt with the two guys who attacked me showed me a side of him that takes no shit. He is a destroyer of men and souls. I already realize that and now I’m taking a peek into his dark world. His business. I’m guessing it’s way more exciting than the ones I am used to.
As the flight progresses, I sense a little hostility from the female attendant and wonder about her relationship with Apollo. I guess I already have my answer due to the lustful glances she directs his way and the yearning in her eyes.
I know a lot about that and yet I’m the one who may get to experience that first hand and a shiver of expectation passes through me as I contemplate the next few days.
Until now we’ve just kissed and nothing more. I want more. A lot more and this trip was going to change all that.
Apollo heads off to the restroom and I stretch my legs and wander around, checking out my surroundings with an awe that surprises me. I’m used to fine living. Private jets and yachts, but this is over the top decadence. The cream plush carpet appears brand new and the sparkling crystal glasses are set at a table for two. The combination of white leather seats, blue and silver cushions, and intimate mood lighting envelops me in a delicious sense of anticipation.
Christos heads through a curtain and I wonder what lies behind it and he smiles sweetly.
“Would you like some more champagne, ma’am?”
“Call me Melissa, please.”
He smiles. “That’s a pretty name.”
“Thank you.”
