Does that make me weak ? I asked quietly.
No, Carter, Darrell shook his head as he looked over Lea. It makes you human.
Why the hell do I feel like this after only one night of talking to her ? I was baffled.
I have had my share of women, of one night stands and paid escorts, to take the edge off of a stressful day. But I was always able to walk away regardless of how beautiful they may have been with no promises of another day and damn sure without feeling anything for them.
I had conditioned myself to be ruthless, merciless and hard. I couldn’t afford to feel, because in my line of work, feelings were enough to get you killed. Feelings made you weak and let the world know that you were vulnerable.
I should know.
I had used feelings against some of the most deadliest men and women in my business. I knew that if my enemies found out about Lea, or the intensity of what I was feeling toward her, they would use her to try and bring me down.
I can’t answer that, Boss. Darrell walked into the room and laid a hand on my shoulder, It’s going to be one hell of a battle, Carter. She’s going to be pissed to the max. Expect her to kick, punch, claw, bite, throw whatever she can get her hands on, scream insults, and try to run. He shook his head and smiled, You’ve met your match with this one.
Darrell turned and walked back into the main cabin, leaving me to battle my demons as I looked over Lea once more. I stood and pulled the blanket over her before turning and leaving the small room. I could hear the guys’ rare, carefree laughter from the cabin and grabbed a bottle of water from the mini fridge before joining them. We had been in the air for less than two hours when a dull thud sounded from the back cabin.
Ow, freaking shit. All four of us froze as more colorful words sounded from the room.
I sat my magazine down and waited for all hell to break loose.
DAMN YOU TO HELL, NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. WHERE THE HELL AM I ? OW, MY FREAKING HEAD.
I threw a heated glare at the three guys as laughter erupted from each of them. I drummed my fingers on the arm of my chair and drew in a deep breath as the sounds of glass shattering sounded from the windowless room.
FREAKING, NONE OF YOU BUSINESS, YOU FREAKING PUT ME ON A PLANE. YOU SON OF A BITCH. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. OW. SHIT. MY HEAD. YOUR FREAKING KIDNAPPING ME. SERIOUSLY. OW.
Boss, maybe you should go and try to talk some sense into her before she gets a wild hair to do something stupid, maybe try and calm her down some. Darrien grinned his signature boyish smile. And you should probably clue her in on your name, you know, since she’ll be sticking around for a while.
Oh, this should be interesting. Tony rubbed his hands together and sat back in his chair as I stood. I looked over my shoulder at the guys and made my way down the hall.
NONE. OF. YOUR. BUSINESS !
I pulled the door open and dodged one of the champagne glasses Lea had aimed at the entry way.
Lea, I put my hands in the air, put the glass down.
I moved to the left as she drew back her arm and threw the second glass. Lea, I hardened my voice as she picked up two more glasses and took aim.
You kidnapped me, you sorry bastard.
I ducked as the third glass landed above my head.
I could have just as easily put a bullet in your head. I kept my voice hard and narrowed my gaze on the fiery young woman.
Then why the hell didn’t you ?
Lea flung the fourth glass, catching me by surprise. I threw my forearm up, shielding my eyes, and growled as the glass shattered against my arm.
That was a mistake, Lea. I took a step toward her as she picked up her fifth and sixth glass.
What part ? Kidnapping me or not putting a bullet through my head when you had the chance ?
I sidestepped the the fifth glass. Both, I cocked my head and took another step, along with you breaking every glass of a very expensive wine set.
She flung the sixth glass.
I looked down as it shattered against my shin. Tusk, tusk, Lea.
She picked up the last two glasses as I took another step toward her. You take me home right now, None Of Your Business. She aimed the seventh glass.
I can’t do that, Lea.
She threw wide and cursed as the glass hit the wall behind me. You could, you just choose not to.
As I stepped within arms reach of Lea, she jumped on the bed and threw the glass over her shoulder and bolted out the open door.
I shook my head and followed her out, watching in amusement as Lea skidded to a stop as the three guys stood, their faces unreadable as they faced her and crossed their arms over their chest.
There is no where to run, Lea. I leaned against the wall of the plane and folded my hands in front of me.
Lea ignored me as she sat down across from Darrien and grinned, So, um, how’re you doing ?
Darrien masked his amusement as he sat down, turning his full attention to Lea. Fine Lea, and yourself ?
Oh I don’t know considering I saw a man murdered, then was chased by three brutes, had a gun shoved in my face, was knocked out cold, and woke up on a plane thirty thousand feet in the air to find myself kidnapped by said murderer. HOW THE HELL DO YOU THINK I’M DOING ? Lea grabbed her head and grimaced, Do you think I can get something for this killer headache ?
Darrell lifted the console and pulled out a bottle and tossed it to Darrien. He shook two of the aspirins out and held them out to Lea.
How do I know you’re not trying to poison me ? She eyed the white tablets and grimaced as another wave of pain filled her eyes.
You can either learn to trust us now, or,
Darrien was cut off by Lea’s scoffing, Trust you ? You all freaking kidnapped me after you murdered a man in cold blood. How the hell am I supposed to trust you ?
Just take the damn aspirin, Lea. I growled out as I pulled a bottle of water from the counter and tossed it to her. It hasn’t been opened.
Boy, does somebody have their panties in a knot tonight. Lea swiped the aspirin from Darrien’s hand as I curled my hands into fist.
Should’ve just put a bullet in her, I muttered as I turned and walked into the cockpit.
Sounds like you have your hands full, Boss. Marcus looked over at me and grinned.
How much longer until we land ? I ran a hand through my hair as frustration crept into my bones.
About forty-five minutes. Marcus looked over the navigation system, making adjustments as needed to keep us on course.
Damn you to hell, let me go.
I sighed as Lea’s voices sounded from the cabin.
Marcus glanced over and nodded, Yea, good luck with that one, Boss.
Damn, I should have just put a bullet in her. I walked out into the cabin to find Darrien with his hand over his eye and Darrell holding back a very pissed of Lea. What the hell is going on ?