Page 109 of Vicious Addictions

“You hate everyone. You don’t need a reason,” Remus reminds.

“Fair enough.” Rolo shrugs, not even caring to deny it.

I lean back in my seat to stare out the window, thankful that getting my heart broken by the Outfit Prince isn’t common knowledge. Aside from my father and Remus, no one else knows that I got my heart trampled on and thrown away like yesterday’s trash.

When the pilot announces we’ll be landing in twenty minutes, my anxiety shoots straight into the heavens, wondering how the hell I’ll survive the next few weeks.

“Well, that’s my cue,” Rolo says before getting up and strolling down the aisle to the back of the plane. “You better be on your knees before I get to you, pet. Daddy is on the clock!”

If I didn’t want to hurl before, hearing Rolo refer to himself asDaddymight just seal the deal.

“That idiot better be on his game when we land. I can’t afford any mistakes on this trip,” I scold.

“Don’t worry. Rolo and I have your back. Just breathe, cousin. We’ll get the job done and be back on this plane flying home before you know it,” Remus tries to console me, patting my knee.

I don’t say anything in return. Instead, I lean my head back on the headrest, close my eyes, and take a deep breath.

I’m not like this.

I’m usually the epitome of calm.

I have learned over the years that being level-headed in moments of crisis goes a long way when it comes to my family’s business. And I found that I like being the one in control. I like knowing all the variables in a situation and predicting their outcome. Picturing the worst-case scenario and planning accordingly works for me. So much so that over these last years, I started gaining favor with The Firm’s old guard—the same men who once upon a time wanted nothing more than to see me fail.

But this… is different.

This isn’t just business for me—it’s personal.

I open my eyes to glance down at the engagement ring on my finger and exhale.

I should have taken it off by now.

But something inside me wouldn’t let me.

I want him to see it.

I want him to hurt.

I even want to see him bleed.

The same way his deep cut to my heart left me bleeding for him.

When the pilot announces for us to resume our seats since we’ll be landing in ten minutes, Rolo comes running toward his seat, still fastening his belt buckle.

“How you can satisfy a woman in less than ten minutes is beyond me,” I taunt accusingly.

“Never had any complaints.” He winks before stretching out in his seat, looking far too relaxed for my liking. “Now, who do we think will be on the tarmac to welcome us?”

“Who do you think?” Remus quirks a brow.

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep his name from popping out of my mouth.

But Remus is right.

There’s no way he won’t be there.

Not when he hasn’t seen me in five years.

Why would he even care?

---