Page 33 of A Heart So Savage

Did she think he was sending her to her doom? Maybe to a mystery buyer residing out of the country? Or transported to a place where no one would ever find her or even think to look for her?

Ava glanced down at her form, dressed so alluringly at his instruction. Kingston saw her fear as it boiled and grew. He abandoned their discussion of Carson and his greed for the moment.

“I told you. To dinner.” He wanted to draw her into his lap and reassure her that she was safe but she was too fragile for that right now. “My restaurant, CRUSH, occupies the only floor in the building open to the public other than the club downstairs.”

“We’re flying to New York City?” Ava breathed. “Just for dinner and nothing more?”

“We may stay the night in the penthouse, depending on how our evening goes.” Kingston smiled as the car came to a halt. The husky promise in his voice had Ava squeezing her thighs together, a look of aroused panic flashing across her features.

“But I’ve packed nothing,” she frowned, turning the tiny silver purse over and over in her hands. “This barely holds a tube of lipstick.”

Kingston’s lips twitched. “I’ll provide everything you need, Ava.”

In the distance, car doors slammed shut just before the ones to the limo’s interior flung open. Kingston climbed out first, dismissing Jack’s assistance before turning back to the vehicle. His large hand extended, waiting to take possession of Ava’s smaller one.

Drawing her from the limo’s depths, he tucked her hand into his arm and nodded up at the jet’s black-carpeted steps. “I hope you tolerate flying. The last time you flew on this jet, well, let’s just say you were incapacitated.”

“Drugged, you mean,” Ava shot back while admiring the shiny white jet. “And at your brother’s mercy.” A tiny shiver ran through her body as Kingston urged her up the steps. He stayed close behind her, protectively shielding her from the chilly breeze with his own body.

Her words gave him pause though. He didn’t want to think of those hours when Oliver held control over his little prisoner. How easy it would have been for his half-brother to touch her however he pleased. The possibility left Kingston’s skin feeling extra tight and hot. As if tiny volcanoes were waiting to erupt just below the surface.

“Good evening, Mister Winter.” The pilot greeted them both as they ducked through the jet’s threshold.

“Hello, Granger.” Kingston shook the older man’s hand. “You remember Miss Blue?”

The man had the decency to flush, but otherwise, his demeanor remained so warmly professional no one would have guessed he was part of Ava’s abduction.

“I hope you enjoy the flight this evening, Miss Blue. The weather is perfect, and we should have no issues on the ninety-minute flight into the city.”

Ava’s cheeks suffused with pink as she nodded at the pilot, but storm clouds darkened her brow. “I’m sure being conscious this time will result in a whole different experience, Mister Granger.”

Kingston bit the inside of his cheek, containing his grin as Granger looked appropriately chastised. Ava’s feisty outrage made him want to kiss her until she was breathless.

“Yes, miss,” Granger said. “My deepest apologies.”

Kingston gripped Ava’s elbow in amused warning. “Captain Granger simply follows orders, Ava.Myorders, to be exact. He provides the services I require.” Giving the pilot a small nod, he said, “Thank you, Granger. Our plans are dinner and some time spent at LIST. We may not fly back tonight. Jack will let you know for certain, but for now, you may take off as soon as possible with clearance.”

“Very good, sir.” Granger tipped his pilot’s cap to Ava. “Miss.”

“Let’s get you settled, Ava,” Kingston murmured as he maneuvered her through the galley and the crew’s area. “Jack? Stay here.”

“Sure thing, boss.” Jack grinned, giving a flirty wink to the attractive stewardess waiting there.

At the doorway leading to the jet’s main cabin area, Ava abruptly halted. “This can’t be real,” she muttered, taking in the sleek and stylized design of the interior.

The living room-like space contained curved leather couches crafted of expensive white leather and individual chairs surrounding a futuristic coffee table. A line of tiny rope lights traveled around the ceiling, which had its own illumination and highlighted a swirling masterpiece of blues, greys, pink, and soft yellow. It looked like a dramatic, artistic impression of the sky at sunset.

A built-in desk occupied one corner, constructed of the same material as the coffee table and mimicking the curved lines. A large flat screen hung on the wall, and below it was a wet bar. Beyond that was a wall with a single door leading to yet another section of the jet.

The opulence was staggering, and Ava looked a little weak as Kingston settled her in one of the high-backed chairs and fastened her seatbelt.

Flopping onto the seat beside her, he buckled in as well. “You seem surprised by our transportation.”

Ava shot him a glance. “This jet must have cost a fortune.”

Kingston grimaced. “It did. And does. My crew is on standby twenty-four hours a day. That sort of readiness does not come cheap.”

“I don’t like flying.” Ava gripped the cushioned armrests. “In fact, I hate it. The idea of being this tiny speck in a vast openness where anything could happen. Like, a black hole opens up and we’re sucked into it. An emergency landing in a field of dairy cows. A wing falls off during a storm and the pilot is incapacitated with fear. The unknown makes my anxiety run rampant. It’s terrifying.”

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