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“Aren’t most things in life? But honestly, if you still have some...we can call them feelings for her, then what the hell are you doing sitting here with me? Pick up the phone and call her.”
“You’re making it sound like I’m looking for a relationship with her. That’s not the case. I like my life the way it is. I just...”
“You have no idea what you want. That’s my opinion. Could be wrong.”
“And you are,” I snapped. I had exactly what I wanted; a very successful world-famous custom sailboat business. I’d busted my ass to get where I was. That wasn’t by not knowing what I wanted. But Rian wasn’t talking about business. He was trying to get into my head regarding emotions. Feelings. Things I had been good at avoiding dealing with for many years.Hence working so hard. It is the perfect distraction because God knows I needed it.
He chuckled. “You’re wound-up tight tonight. Does this flight you’re taking have anything to do with this mysterious woman?”
“Do you mean am I running off to sweep her off her feet? No. I have no plans on speaking to her again.”Just need to see with my own eyes that she’s okay. That she’s happy.
“Yet here we are talking about her. Hmm. I see your problem. You have no plans on speaking to her, but you want to. I wonder what wrench the universe is going to throw in the way to mess with your plans.”
I shot him a look. “None. I know what I’m doing.”
He smirked. “That’s usually when it all goes to shit. But what do I know? I’m just your kid brother. But I have watched all my buddies fall when they were most confident that they wouldn’t.”
“Not happening,” I replied.
“Can’t say I’m not disappointed.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Because mom would finally be off my back and focused strictly on you.” Before I could respond, he added, “Joking. I’m like you. We’re diehard bachelors.”
I raised my beer mug and said, “I’ll drink to that.”
He did the same. “Sorry, Mom. Looks like we’re both going to disappoint you.”
I looked at my watch and said, “I better get to the airport.” Tossing a fifty on the bar to cover the tab I said, “I can take a cab if it would be easier for you.”
“Worried you’re going to spill any more secrets that I never would have guessed before?”
“No. Figure you might get a call and need to go to the station,” I replied.
“My night off. So, let’s get you to the airport.”
We headed out to his truck. I had even more on my mind now.So much for a distraction.Rian’s words were getting in my head. I’m not worried about going there and doing something stupid. I am very capable of sticking with my plan. But I needed to be ready just in case it didn’t quite go as I mapped out. I was entering a foreign country that I knew little about. I really was going to be there on my own. It didn’t matter.This was all about Venus and not me. I just had to remind myself of that.
I had a long ass flight ahead of me and I didn’t think I was going to get any sleep. Not with everything on my mind. But meeting with Rian did remind me of one thing. I might need to see her, but I couldn’t let her see me. It would only make things complicated. How would I be able to explain my being in Tabiq? Coincidence? Ha. She wouldn’t believe that nor should she. I was going to need to be extremely careful. Or I’ll have to look for another way to get my information.
CHAPTER5
Declan
This was great. I was at a five-star resort and had just received a personal tour of the place. Wonderful. None of this meant a damn thing to me unless Venus was staying here and I highly doubted that. But I needed to be careful not to draw any unwanted attention my way. I wasn’t afraid of the Hendersons, but wasn’t foolish enough to ignore their power and influence. Right now, I was on their turf, staying at their resort. Needless to say, I was going to tread lightly so as not to piss them off.
Just need to find Venus and then I’m out of here.
I was just about to get into the elevator when someone with an American accent called out, “Hey, can you hold the door?”
Pressing the door open button, I waited for the guy to enter. He looked familiar, not that I could place how I knew him. “What floor?” I asked.
“Fifth floor, thanks.” My floor as well. I pressed the button and the door closed. He asked, “Did you just arrive? Don’t remember seeing you here before.”
I wasn’t in the mood for small talk. “Yes.”
“From the States. What part?” he asked.
