Page 99 of Cruel Dreams

The flight crew is gracious, and they wait patiently. Our goodbyes take longer than they should, especially since we made plans to celebrate the holidays together in a few months.

They both kiss me, and they’re standing on the tarmac waving when I finally step up the stairs, my dad tightly holding on to my mother.

Lifting my hand one last time, I reluctantly turn away and enter the elegant plane.

I remind myself that today, the goodbyes are only temporary.

The flight attendant, who introduces herself as Glory, hands me a tissue and offers me something to drink. She serves me generic fizzy water, and I laugh through my tears. Zane never stops thinking about me.

She asks that I find a seat, and I choose a recliner near the window and buckle my seatbelt. The takeoff is smooth, and once we’re up in the air, I explore the luxurious little plane, poking myhead into a small but opulent bedroom and shaking my head at a bathroom more lavish than anything I’ve ever seen.

I snoop in the galley and all the nooks and crannies and then stretch out on a loveseat and doze as the plane glides smoothly through the air, not a hint of turbulence to bother us.

My thoughts drift to Mom and Dad and how agreeably they accepted my decision to live in King’s Crossing, how they weren’t surprised I wanted to go back to the man I love. Mom was worried their easy understanding would tell me they didn’t love me, but nothing could be further from the truth. They gave me the support I needed to make my own choices and that’s something I never had until Maryanne and Zane. That proved they love me just as much as any parent could ever love their child.

Two hours into the flight, Glory rouses me and lets me know we’ll be landing soon. I appreciate the warning and use the bathroom to freshen up. I chose a light blue sheath dress and nude pumps to travel in, and I smooth the wrinkles from the skirt. I reapply my makeup and brush out my hair. While visiting my mom and dad, I let it grow out. My blonde hair shines and swings down my back. Mom and I had a spa day yesterday to help me relax, but also, she added, winking, so I would look absolutely gorgeous when Zane sees me.

Butterflies flutter around in my stomach, and my panties dampen when I think of how long I’ve gone without Zane’s touch. I can’t wait to feel his body pressing against mine, filling me in ways that only he can. I wonder how he’s tolerated the forced abstinence, and I look forward to him ravaging me.

Roses bloom on the apples of my cheeks in anticipation, and the color is the perfect complement to the golden tan I’ve nurtured with all my time on the beach.

I’ve never looked more like myself, if you know what I mean. This is me, at my best, after all the crazy...bruises, hair dye and colored contacts, even my cast is a distant memory.

For once, I feel like Zane’s equal, and in the mirror, my image lifts her chin.

I’m ready.

We land at the King’s Crossing airport, and Douglas is waiting, standing next to a shining black limousine.

Glory hands my suitcases off to the grounds crewman who stores them in the back of the limo. I quickly thank her and the pilot, but my attention is elsewhere. It’s unladylike and totally unprofessional, but I trot across the tarmac, step into Douglas’ arms, and give him a tight, heartfelt hug. He’ll always be more to me than just Zane’s driver. Because of his quick thinking, he saved my life and Quinn’s.

He squeezes me back just as hard and lets me go.

I look around in confusion. “Where’s Zane?”

Had he changed his mind about me? Didn’t he want me anymore? Had he instructed Douglas to drive me to my old apartment?

Panic floods my throat tight and hot, but Douglas pats my shoulder. “Mr. Maddox has a surprise for you, Miss Mayfair. I’m instructed to drive you there straightaway.”

I let out a weak laugh and try to keep my knees from buckling in relief. “Okay.”

“He asked that you wear this,” he says and slips a pink silk blindfold over my eyes. Gently holding my hand, he helps me onto the limo’s bench, confirms I’m sitting comfortably, and closes the door. The car begins to move, and we bump slightly as he navigates out of the busy airport parking lot.

The privacy screen is down, and I twist around and pepper him with questions. “Where are we going? How long will it take to get there? Is Zane alone or is Zarah there, too?”

“I’m not at liberty to say, Miss Mayfair,” he repeats, but I don’t need to lift the blindfold to know he’s amused by all my questions and excitement.

I’m not used to this side of Zane. He’s always shown me his serious side, the tormented side. Now, because the mystery of his parents’ deaths has been solved and the hold Ash had over him and his sister is broken, he can be playful and learn to enjoy life. It won’t bring his parents back, but he can finally let it go and honor their memories.

Douglas drives for a long time, but I don’t cheat and look out the window or at my phone. If Zane wants to surprise me, I’ll let him surprise me.

He slows and turns the limo around a corner, and the crunch of rock puzzles me. Out of curiosity, I blindly search for the switch and open the window. The scent of freshly cut grass and the pure fragrance of clean air fills my nose. I don’t hear the grating noise of traffic or horns honking, instead, the wind rustles leaves in what sounds like several trees, and birds chirp.

I haven’t heard birds since my last day on the beach in St. Pete. I expect to have a tug of homesickness thinking about Mom and Dad, but all I feel is contentment. I have parents, they gave me their blessing to marry Zane, and I’ll see them soon.

Douglas slows the car until we glide to a stop.

A nervous sweat drips down my back. I’m so excited to see Zane. To see if he still feels the same way I feel about him.

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