Page 37 of Forever a Thief

“Thank you, Addie,” I rasp, my shoulders sagging. “Thank you so much.”

“You can’t help Savannah when you’re so upset,” she states, always the voice of logic and reason. “Take a few deep breaths, calm down, and get your ass over here. We’re going to Turkey to get your girl back.”

My girl. Fuck, yes, she’s my girl. And for the first time in my life, I want to be someone’s hero. I want to be Savannah’s hero.

Chapter Fourteen: Savannah

One Hour Ago…

Watching Rhys walk away as I sit on the private plane bound for San Diego makes my heart crack right in two. Sadness washes over me, and my vision swims with tears. How did I let him sneak into my heart and penetrate it so deeply? I can’t explain it, but he just disappeared from my sight, and I miss him already. I miss him with a fierceness that borders on scary, because it proves I’ve fallen so much harder than I realized.

He left it up to me, and I made the decision to leave. The only person I should be upset with is myself. Doubts swirl around in my head, and I question whether I made the wrong choice. Should I be on a flight to Istanbul right now instead of San Diego? Did I just mess up the best thing that ever happened to me?

“Shit,” I whisper, glancing up to see the flight attendant by the door. We haven’t left yet. Maybe there’s still time.

Without thinking too hard about my crazy decision, I unbuckle my seat belt, about to stand up and demand she let me off, when I realize she’s opening the door, not locking it.

I hesitate, wondering what’s going on. With a confused frown, I glance out my window, trying to see, but my view is obstructed by the wing. Then my heart soars. Maybe Rhys came back for me!

The door swings outward and my hopes crash when I see several unfamiliar men board. I’m about to ask what’s going on, but press my lips together when the man clearly in charge pins me with a narrowed look. He reeks of wealth, from his fancy, perfectly-tailored suit to his sparkling diamond tie tack and the large expensive-looking watch on his wrist. Touches of gray flash at his temples, and if it weren’t for his cold stare, he might be attractive.

“Hello, Savannah. I know we haven’t officially met yet, but I’m Adam Voss. I believe you snuck into my home uninvited and helped steal a very valuable book. Mrs. Peacock. In the library.” He sends me an arrogant, all-knowing smirk. “Correct?”

I swallow hard. Shit. This is so not good. I’m deciding how to play this off, when he shakes his head and motions for me to come forward. I don’t know much about the billionaire, but I can already tell he likes to be in control and deliver orders. The men on either side of him appear ready, even eager, to jump and do his bidding. I also get the feeling Voss likes getting his way and can be extremely lethal when he wants to be.

“Don’t bother lying to me. I saw everything on the security footage. I know you were with Laurent, that fucking useless traitor,” he grumbles. “But he’s going to return my property—in exchange for your life.”

I am so out of my league. I definitely didn’t sign up for this. I’m supposed to be going home, getting away from Laurent’s world of mystery and danger. But apparently that’s not happening, so it’s time to pull it together and put on a brave face. Harper told me some crazy stories about the trouble she experienced while hiding out with Ryland’s team, and she managed to think on the fly and escape danger unscathed. Now I need to do the same.

“My life doesn’t mean anything to him,” I bluff. “In case you aren’t aware, he just left me. He chose the sapphire over me.” I hope my lies really are lies. I also hope Voss believes what I’m saying.

He seems to be considering my words for a moment then shrugs. “If I were you, I’d hope that’s not true. Otherwise, you’re already dead.”

Fear twists my insides, and I need to escape. Fast. But before I can try to bolt past them and get off the jet, the flight attendant closes the door and locks it. “What’s going on?” I demand, standing up. “I want off. Now.”

Voss strides over, using his taller and bigger frame to try to intimidate me. But I stand my ground, refusing to show how much my nerves are jangling. “You’re not getting off this jet until we land in Turkey.”

“What?”

“You heard me. We’re flying to Istanbul to find the sapphire.” His hand covers my shoulder and he shoves me back down into my seat. Leaning down so we’re at eye level, he locks gazes with mine and, in a low, icy voice, he threatens, “Now buckle up, little thief. We wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”

With shaking hands, I quickly grab the ends of the lap belt and snap them together.

“Prepare for departure,” the flight attendant announces, and begins to bustle around, making sure everything is in order and like she isn’t aiding in my kidnapping.

Before I know it, we’re barreling down the runway and taking off into the cloudy sky. I’m clutching the armrests so hard my hands start hurting. Loosening my grip, I jolt when the pilot’s voice blasts through the speaker system, informing us the flight will be just under twelve hours.

Great. Slumping down in my seat, I try to control my rising panic and force my brain to think rational thoughts. But I keep coming back to one unnerving, very terrifying fact—if Rhys doesn’t bring Voss the book, I’m going to die. And even if Rhys comes to my rescue and follows through with the trade, Voss still might kill me and Rhys.

Glancing over at Voss, I study him more closely. The easy way he reclines in the seat across from me. Like he’s used to getting everything he wants and doesn’t have a care in the world. I suppose that’s true when you have billions of dollars. Everything comes far too easily, and he’s surrounded by people telling him yes all day.

Screw that. I’m going to make this whole thing as difficult as possible. I refuse to be another yes man in his life, meekly bowing down and accepting whatever fate he chooses to dole out.

No, I’m going to fight and stay alive, no matter what it takes.

Chewing on my lower lip, I rack my brain, trying to figure out my best way out of this. Currently, there’s no way to escape since I’m trapped on an airplane. But I can start to come up with ideas which might prove useful later. Ways to outsmart Voss and his hired thugs. Ways to protect Rhys.

If he comes.