Page 108 of Hiding Secrets

The sun has fully risen as we land safely back on the ground. Although they did make the flight more enjoyable, I still exit the plane and all but kiss the solid pavement floor when my feet finally hit the runway.

There’s a tall woman standing in front of an all black SUV. She is in a black dress suit with a matching fitted shirt underneath, along with a pair of chunky loafers. Her pale strawberry blonde hair is waved out beautifully and it frames her freckled face and piercing blue-green eyes effortlessly. She has one hand holding a drink carrier of coffees and the other holding what looks like dry cleaning.

“Mr. Sinclair.” She nods to Hunter, “Mr. Flores.” Another nod to Marcus before her eyes land on mine. She eyes me through slitted lids, “And this is…” Her words draw out as we get closer. I pull my sweater down and try to flatten any wrinkles I might have made during the flight.

She looks so chic and beautiful while I’m here with no make-up, hair in a bun, and wearing loungewear. I’ve never been one to feel out of sorts but she looks flawless. I feel uneasy in this state.

“Fuck yes, coffee.” Marcus takes the cup from her.

Hunter slides his hand in mine, “This is Ms.–”

“Elliott.” I extend my hand to her. She eyes Hunter and I before shaking it.

“Welcome, Elliott. I’m Ms. Beaufort, but you can call me Kelly.”

“Thank you, it’s nice to meet you Kelly.”

“Likewise Elliott.” She scans Hunter and Marcus for a moment, “Mr. Sinclair had me pick up some outfits for you. I hope you like what I chose. He gave me some ideas to run off of.”

I look up at him, wondering what he told her I might like but he’s pulled out his phone and is tapping away with one hand. He knew I was uncomfortable with the clothes I brought and asked her to have something ready for me. I blush at the idea that he went out of his way to make me feel comfortable.

I take the garment bags from her, draping them over my forearm, “Thank you, Kelly. I’m sure whatever you picked is perfect, I mean look at how you’re dressed. You look amazing.”

She turns to Hunter, “I like her.” She teases with a smile as she pushes some of her hair behind her ear.

“Don’t we all?” Marcus chimes in with a clear tone of sarcasm.

“Mr. Flores,” Kelly turns to him, grabbing his arm and pulling him away, “I have to brief you on the specs IT found.”

“I briefed myself on the flight.”

“I’m talking about the IT members, not just the coding and hard drives.”

A pang of jealousy shoots through me as I watch her hold his arm. I don’t have a claim on him. Even if we have had sex, it doesn't mean we’re together. Marcus doesn’t want to bewithme like that, he has yet to say a word about what we are. So why am I jealous of a woman he’s obviously known well before me, holding his arm like that?

“It’s just Kelly.” Hunter says, his hand coming to my chin, pulling my focus. My eyes find his, “She’s like that with all of us. She is a part of the messed up and chaotic family we’ve cultivated.”

“Oh. I wasn’t–”

“Jealous?” He raises his brows with a playful–I know exactly what you’re thinking–grin.

“I have no right to be jealous.” I straighten my posture, “Marcus hasn’t said he wanted a relationship with me.”

“Elliott.”

“It’s okay, Hunter. I don’t want to ruin anything. I will take what he can give me.”

“He cares, El.”

“Yeah, I just care a lot more for some reason. I have to come to terms with that.” Hunter’s mouth parts like he wants to say something, but Kelly arrives before he can.

“Mr. Sinclair, will we be stopping at the house first to change before we head into the office?”

“No need, we can change here. Elliott, you can change in the room in the back of the plane. Marcus and I will change in the seating area.” He’s facing me again, nudging his chin to the back of the plane.

“As long as it’s not taking off with me in it. I’ve had enough air time today.”

“Oh come on, it wasn’t too bad. We helped take your mind off it didn’t we?” He winks at me.

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