Page 40 of Puck Blocked
“We are going to have the absolute best time,” Aliyah says in the loudest voice possible as she takes hold of my hand and leads me up the stairs of her very own private jet. These people really do live a different life from the one I’m used to.
“We are.” I smile while trying to mimic her level of enthusiasm.
I can tell by the look on her face that I don’t succeed. The best thing about Aliyah, though, is the fact she doesn’t pry. Instead, she steps into the jet and starts showing me around, pointing out everything and anything she can think of.
We get settled in the oversized luxury recliners and a stewardess brings us each a glass of champagne. “Here’s to making great new memories to replace the shitty old ones,” Aliyah says before tapping her glass against mine.
“Here’s to new friends and new adventures.” I smile, because this time, I really mean my words. “We are going to have the best time.”
Liliana steps onto the plane, followed by a man. No, not just a man, a huge, six-foot-something man. I stiffen. I don’t know why I get nervous around males I don’t know. Okay, I do know why. Andrew fucked me up. His abuse wasn’t just physical; it was also mental and long-lasting.
“Hey, sorry we’re late. This one had to stare in the mirror for an hour before he’d leave the bathroom.” Liliana points to the hulking shadow behind her.
“That, I believe. But damn, Enzo, if I wasn’t already married, I’d tell you that, that hour was well spent.” Aliyah laughs. She’s not wrong. I might not want to be anywhere near the guy, but even I can admit he’s hot. I mean, not Luke kind of hot, but hot all the same.
“And if I had a death wish, I’d let you see more. You know, so you could truly appreciate the art of all this.” The guy motions a hand up and down his suit-clad body. “But I don’t, so eyes off the candy, Mrs. King.”
“Gross. I’m sorry, Montana. This moron is my cousin, Enzo. He’s tagging along with us. But don’t worry, you’ll barely notice he’s here.” Liliana plops down on the seat in front of Aliyah and me.
Enzo leans down and kisses Aliyah on the cheek. My body tenses at his sudden proximity. Aliyah takes hold of my hand and squeezes it. And then the guy sits next to Liliana.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” he says while making no attempt to reach out and touch me. No handshake or anything, which I’m grateful for. His eyes are assessing me, though. I can tell he knows something isn’t right.
“You too,” I reply, keeping my voice light.
“She’s a nervous flier,” Aliyah chimes in. I’m not, but I appreciate the little white lie.
“I don’t love it either, but I pulled the short straw and got stuck following Lil and her boyfriend around the world this week.” Enzo shrugs.
“I didn’t make the stupid rule of traveling in pairs,” Liliana says. “You should talk to the oldies about that.”
“And deny you the pleasure of my company? Never.” He laughs, and the more I watch the two interact, the more my body relaxes. “So, Jameson, huh? You do know you’re way too good for him?”
I realize the question is directed at me. “I am?” I’m not, but this guy doesn’t know me.
“Fuck yeah, you are. If he doesn’t treat you right, call me. I know people who know people.” Enzo winks.
Liliana shoves an elbow into his arm. “Shut up. Don’t scare her,” she hisses under her breath.
“No, I’m interested. What kind of people are we talking about? The ones who can, you know, make someone disappear?” I lift my eyebrows up and down.
“If that’s what you want.” Enzo nods. “It’d be harder with a public figure like Jameson, but not impossible,” he adds.
“What if it wasn’t him? Like, let’s say, hypothetically, I wanted to get rid of someone else?” Truth is I would love nothing more than to be rid of Andrew. I have no idea where he is or when he’s going to pop up. I just know that he will.
“I could make it happen.”
“How much does something like that cost a person?” I press.
“Okay, first of all, you’re my friend. If you want someone offed, I’d get my brother to do it and you wouldn’t pay a single dime. And second, she’s joking, Enzo. So stop encouraging her,” Aliyah says.
“I’d do it for free too. Just saying. Give me a name and I’ll make it look like the fucker never existed,” Enzo tells me, and I force a small smile.
“She’s right. I was joking.” Mostly.
As much as I’d love to give him Andrew’s name, I’m not sure I could actually live with that on my conscience for the rest of my life. He doesn’t deserve anything less than a cruel death, but it won’t be at my hands, or at my instruction. It’ll be karma that gets him in the end. I have to believe that.
“Offer’s always there,” Enzo says before plugging in a pair of earbuds as if he didn’t just agree to murder someone for me.
