“You make it sound like we’re a couple going away on vacation to see the city.”
The idea sounds wonderful. I imagine what it would be like to actually date Grayson. I picture a relationship with him to include lots of kisses, touches, and amazing sex. I also picture pillow fights, us cooking together, and snuggling up on the couch watching movies. It’s domestic, and I want it more than anything.
“No one knows any different. Why not pretend? It could be fun.” He knocks into my shoulder and kisses me on the cheek.
“I’d like that a lot, Grayson.”
“Pretending, or having it be real?”
I shrug. “Does it matter?”
“Yeah, because I’m going to have a hard time letting you go once he’s behind bars and this is settled. I don’t want to be someone you have sex with to fulfill a need you have. I want to be the person you think about in the morning when you wake up and at night before you go to sleep. I need to know I’m the only person that gets to hold you and take care of you. I’d love if you want to try to make this work between us.”
My throat is thick, and I struggle to push the words past my lips. I open my mouth and close it, then lick my dry lips and try again. “Do you mean it?”
He nods, his smile growing. “Yeah. I mean it.”
“I’d like that, too. I like waking up with you. I like having you there to protect me. When you’re close, I feel calm. I like you a lot, Grayson.”
“Good, then it’s settled. Finley Grier, you and I are heading out to New York on vacation. The first of many.” He winks and takes my hand. I lay my head on his shoulder and close my eyes.
* * *
I takein a huge breath and pop my eyes open. I look around me; I’m still sitting on the plane, and Grayson is sitting next to me reading. I stand up and look over the top of the seats. The curtain is drawn, separating first class from economy, and I sit down and relax again.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I just had a bad dream. I’m all right.” He threads his fingers through mine and kisses the back of my hand. “How much longer until we arrive?”
“They just made an announcement that we will be touching down in about thirty minutes.”
“I’m going to use the restroom and freshen up. I’ll be right back.”
I walk to the front of the section, where the restroom is available. I splash some cool water on my face and blot it away. My eyes are a little bloodshot and have bags under them.Soon I’ll be in New York, and I’ll be safe.Well, as safe as I can be. I open my purse and pop the first pill Winston gave to me. I peer into the bottle and count. There are 5 pills in total. That means they’ll be good for a maximum of ten days.
I pull the door open and walk into a man standing in the way.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” I look up, and it’s Juan. I tremble as I try to control my breathing.
“My mistake.” He narrows his eyes at me. “You look so familiar. Have I seen you before today?”
“Not that I know of. Excuse me.” I try to push past him, and he grabs my arm. I look at his hand and up into his face. I push down my fear and snarl at him. “Get your hands off me.”
“The girl I know is blonde. She goes by the name Crimson.” He appraises me for another minute before he releases my arm and turns toward his seat.
I hurry back to mine, and the color drains from my face as I try to make myself as small as possible.
“What happened?”
“He knows. Juan knows who I am.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Grayson
As soon as we land, I turn my phone on to text Winston so he can find out everything about Juan Garcia. I just hope that’s his real name. Finley is staring out the window at the JFK tarmac. She’s stiff as a board and has been since she sat back down after her encounter. I thought New York would be good for us, that the tail would be gone.
While I wait for the few stragglers to deboard, I risk callingTemptressto see if I can get in touch with Chris. A familiar female voice answers, and I recognize her from the first time I called.
