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I’ve never seen such opulence, and a little voice in the back of my mind tells me to tread carefully. I may be infatuated as hell with Sheldon, and the fact that I get to do Katarina’s hair, but I’ve heard the stories about her father in his younger days. Sheldon works for these people, the ones who have deep ties to all the city’s organized crime, and I would do well to remember that.
“We should be taking off shortly. Are you in the mood for a sugary snack?” Nick asks, walking into the cabin carrying a tray with a pie topped so full of whipped cream I can’t tell what flavor dessert it is underneath all of that fluff. I head to the small table-for-two adjacent to one of the long oval windows and take a seat as Nick places the tray he’s carrying in front of us.
“This looks absolutely sinful.” I pass out the plates, cups, and silverware sitting on the table.
Nick cuts the pie and plates each of us a piece. “Gaby left this for us. She’s Chase and Katarina’s house manager and makes sure none of us starve. She had this pie made especially for me, but feel free to have some,” Nick informs gallantly before digging into the creamy concoction. “Now that’s sinful perfection,” he states.
I take a bite of the graham cracker, chocolate, and caramel mixture and couldn’t agree more. “Oh, this is so good.”
The jet doors close, and I text Sheldon to let him know we’re on the way.
Me: On the plane. Guards just closed the door. Eating pie. Taking off soon!
Sheldon: Excellent! Have Nick sign your phone into the Wi-Fi system; say nothing about the family over the line. Will text when I can.
My heart flips and does a little happy dance. “What’s the goofy smile all about?” Nick asks, his eyes brightening with his wide smile.
“Nothing, absolutely nothing. Eat your pie,” I tell him, and Nick just laughs.
“Your face is turning pink. Doesn’t look like nothing from where I’m sitting.” Grinning, he takes another bite.
I shrug because what can I really say? It’s silly, really. It was only a text, but he must want to talk with me more if he wants me to sign onto Wi-Fi, or at least that’s what I want to believe. I twirl my fork in the creamy goodness and chance a peek up.
Nick’s still watching me and smiling broadly as he eats his dessert.
“Garr! Enough. Can we talk about something else? Here, make yourself useful,” I say to Nick. “Sheldon wants you to load Wi-Fi on my phone.”
His jaw tilts sideways, and his playful side disappears. He takes the cell from my outstretched hands, messes around with a few settings, and hands it back to me. “If Sheldon hasn’t already told you, no talking or texting anything about the Prestian family, or our location on your phone, okay?”
“He already mentioned it, and mum’s the word.” I gesture turning a key to my lips and throwing it away.
“Glad to hear that.”
“This dessert is seriously fantastic. So did Gaby make this?” Taking another fork full of the creamy goodness, I shovel it into my mouth.
“Gaby used to make all our meals by herself, but our teams just got too big. Now she oversees the staff who does most of the cooking, but I have it on good authority this one was made especially for me. She spoils the hell out of us, and there’s nothing we wouldn’t do for her.”
We have to pick up another team in New Hampshire, and the hour and a half flight from New York goes fast while we talk, and he tells me about Italy. We’re not on the ground long before four more security guards board the plane. Two of them carry a couple of suitcases and an armful of garment bags into the back bedroom before heading into the cabin to join the others. The doors close again, and the pilot tells us to prepare for takeoff. In less than ten minutes, we are back in the air, making our way toward the Atlantic Ocean and heading to Italy.
“Sheldon had some clothes and other items brought on board. Why don’t I show you the master suite once we’re at a decent altitude?” Nick suggests.
“All those things were for me? I seriously don’t need two large suitcases and a garment bag full of clothes. I’m only staying a week.”
Nick shrugs. “Take it up with Sheldon. I’m just the go between. In the meantime, let me show you a few things in your sleeping quarters.”
I let him lead the way into the bedroom. Holy hell! The queen-size bed is raised and covered in fine silky blue and green throw pillows that go with the bedspread. The windows are large and oblong shaped to maximize the views.
“We should have a pretty spectacular sunset in a short while,” Nick mentions.
“This plane and this room are absolutely amazing.”
Nick smiles and nods his agreement. “It is nice. You know, we’re on these planes so often that I suppose we just take the luxury for granted, but you’re absolutely right. This jet is top of the line. So, this is where you’ll sleep tonight. There’s an adjoining bathroom, and no one will use it but you. We have facilities of our own in the security cabin, and the main cabin is equipped with another one too,” Nick informs me.
“Thanks, Nick. I really appreciate you getting me to Italy and to Sheldon safely.”
“It’s not a problem. If you need anything, the button on the remote works just like Alexa, Alexis.” He laughs at his cheesy joke.
I don’t have the heart not to laugh. “Hardy har, har!” I retort.
