Page 80 of The VIP Package

I snicker again, grateful she came on this ride. Kora seems nice, but there’s nothing as comforting as a girlfriend with snark. “Ash is a big boy,” I mumble. “If he’s ready to say goodbye, I need to respect that.”

Sybil snorts. “Know what I respect? The balls to proportionately match a big dick.” She screws up her face. “Not that I saw Ash’s cock. But I’m assuming?—”

“We’re almost there.” Kora sounds pained, though she’s probably used to her wife’s unfiltered commentary.

“Really?” I peer through a clearing in the jungle, surprised to spot an airstrip up ahead. “So close?”

Biting her lip, Sybil nods. “I’m afraid so.”

I can’t believe it was here all along. There’s a small, red and white plane parked off to the side, so I guess that’s it. “I expected a jet would be bigger.”

“That’s Mr. Holyfield’s twin-engine.” Kora sets the brake and turns to face us. “The jet should be here any minute.”

“Ash has a twin-engine?” I’m not even sure what that means.

Kora nods tightly, watching my face like she’s telling me something besides what she’s saying out loud. “He rarely flies. Just enough to keep his license current with a flight review every two years.” Her cool green eyes hold mine. “But hecanfly.”

“He chooses not to.” Sybil crosses her arms. “Like he’s choosing not to man up with you.”

I’m not sure why they’re telling me this, but it does raise some questions. Why didn’t Ash use the small plane to get meback to Negril that first day? He mentioned he gave up flying to punish himself for not taking his wife to her tryst. But if his license is current and he has a small plane?—

“There’s the jet.”

I look up as a sleek, blue plane soars into view. We all watch it land, not trying to talk over the roar of the engines. Once it comes to a stop, Kora speaks again. “You have to hand it to Mr. Holyfield.”

I frown. “Hand him what?”

“All alone in that big mansion by himself.” She stares out at the jet, watching the pilot stride onto the runway. “His only occasional company is a house cleaner who comes twice a week.”

Why is she saying this? “Don’t forget Lars, the chef.” I guess I’ll go home having never met the man. “He must be reclusive, too.”

“Lars?” Kora tilts her head. “I’m not aware of a Lars on Mr. Holyfield’s staff.”

“Really?” That’s odd. “Don’t you manage all of Ash’s personal and professional staff?”

“That’s correct.” Kora just looks at me.

I don’t get it. “Who made all those meals that kept showing up at my?—”

“Honey.” Sybil squeezes my hand. “What my wife is too tactful to say is that the beautiful, billionaire moron you’ve been boning has been lovingly preparing your meals. And at any point in the last week, he had the ability to fly you away from here. He chose not to do that.”

I stare at her blankly, struggling to wrap my head around what she’s just said. “Why?”

“Because he loves you.” Her silvery eyes search mine as she gives me a sad little smile. “He might be awkward about showing it, or maybe he doesn’t know how. But trust me when I say that if he didn’t want you here, he’d have handled you the same wayhe did another guest who got here without reservations last year and made a big stink about the resort being closed.”

Kora sighs. “Sybil.”

“What?” She gives me a look of wide-eyed innocence. “I didn’t say a word about Mr. Holyfield having her arrested.”

“Seriously?” I don’t know what to do with this information. Does it feel nice to hear, on some level? To know that Ash treated me differently?

Yes. Yes, it does.

But it still doesn’t change the fact that he’s sending me away now.

“You should go.” Kora nods toward the plane, where the pilot is waving me over. “She’ll want to go over the safety briefing before you board.”

“Okay.” My mind is still reeling, trying to fit all the puzzle pieces together.

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