Page 7 of Hidden Dane
For the first time in years she felt like she belonged to something and she didn’t even know what was going on. She pierced the cork and twisted. “You can protect me by telling me what’s happening.”
“Fine. Let me pour.” He took the bottle from her and pulled out the cork.
Today had been the strangest day. Now that they were alone, he could tell her everything. Her body was alive and she was back with Dane. Whatever happened, she was here to help.
Chapter 3
Grabbing the wine had probably made her seem confident, Emily thought. Sitting next to Dane sent a pulse through her body that made long-dormant parts of her come alive, and she needed ten seconds to catch her breath.
Emily had always been cool and confident with Dane, and somehow, her sassy side came right back. For the past few years her studious side, the one that didn’t retort with an opinion that wasn’t fully researched, was the Emily everyone saw.
Even her friends.
Maybe it was her sparkling blue nightclub dress that boosted her ego? She normally wore jeans and a t-shirt, with a cardigan, while she studied at the library.
Dane poured the wine at the bar and she had a nice view of his tight backside—she knew for a fact he had them tailored. His black t-shirt seemed simple, but it was no doubt designer.
He turned toward her and handed her a glass and her heart raced.
Dane’s dimples hit her like a sudden earthquake and made her body tremble. Holding the stem of her wineglass, Emily leaned closer to Dane as he took the seat beside her. He still smelled like warm nights on the beach where they’d watched the sunrise.
She ignored the stirrings in her body, sipped the wine and watched the tarmac whiz by as the plane gained speed. “Who are the men you’re with?”
He put his glass down on the table in front of them without touching a drop as the plane soared in the air. Casual and relaxed, Dane tugged on his t-shirt like the collar was suddenly too tight., then nodded toward the cockpit. “Doctor Brady Booker, who works with me, and my butler, body guard, pilot, and all-around handyman, Henry Kavanah.”
The three men had worked like a well-trained unit in the club, so she sensed they’d worked together for a while. Her heart sped fast near him, but she honestly had no idea where he’d been. His dark hair with thick curls had been cut super short, though she remembered his longer hair like it was just yesterday—she used to run her fingers through it when she’d kissed him. She gripped the armrests of her soft leather chair, and then gestured with her head to the wings of the private plane visible through the open windows.
Clearly, Dane used his money he’d inherited, and his close proximity caused a small jolt inside her that she’d never admit to. Michael also employed a loyal man who’d taken a bullet for him. Emily smiled and asked, “When did you get your own Jack?”
“Right after my first dig.” Dane picked up his glass and drank before admitting, “Michaelmighthave influenced my decision to seek out someone loyal to have around. Bad people know I’m rich.”
Had he been hurt? Not only had he inherited his stepfather’s money, but he’d benefited from his real father’s vast wealth too. Emily sighed and sipped her wine. “That you are, Dane.”
She’d earned her scholarships, though Michael had helped her financially throughout her years of education. Now she needed to earn an income and prove her worth. His nose curled like she’d insulted him. “Don’t call me that.”
As they soared over the ocean, the craft bounced with turbulence until the plane steadied. She crossed her arms. “But it’s your name.”
He took another sip and lowered his glass between his legs. “I changed it to Uriel when I left home.”
Out of all the names in the world, he’d chosen a strange one. She fluffed her short blonde bob, l sighed, and scooted closer as she lowered her voice, “Where are we going?”
He didn’t move and for one moment, she could feel his skin on hers though they didn’t touch. His eyes dilated—was his heart beating faster, too? She licked her lips and closed her eyes but he sat up like he’d been scolded. “London. You don’t have your passport so we’ll send you home right away.”
She’d left her passport at home, not thinking she’d need it for dancing. Knowing it was a stupid idea, Emily wished they’d had that kiss. She tugged her short dress down a little. “You can get my passport ordered, just like your father can.”
Dane looked over her shoulder, like he saw a ghost out the window when he said, “He’s not my father, not really.”
Emily blinked and her entire body stilled as she recalled their first meeting so many years ago, as teenagers. She and her sisters had been hiding in the barn where Dane’s mother had been shot by his stepfather, Edmond Pearce, who had sent Dane into the barn with the same gun to set him up as his mother’s murderer. Emily had kissed Dane to distract him from shooting either her sisters, or Michael. She’d held Dane’s hand while the truth was unveiled and he’d dropped the gun in his own hand like it was a hot potato.
The memory surged through her and she shook her head. “So you want to consider the man who shot your mother a father?”
Dane held the glass between his legs so tight she wondered if he’d break it. “Edmond raised me until I was sixteen. He’s who I see when I close my eyes as the one that raised me, butfather… I prefer to believe I never had one.”
Fair enough. Emily remembered her mom and never considered her older sister as anything other than that, though their two younger siblings more thought of Sophie as their second mother. Emily patted his arm, thick with muscle now. “Interesting. I won’t push on that one.” His eyes flickered. “Why does this Ted person want the necklace you gave me?”
He stared unabashed at the gold blossoms at her throat. “I told you to hold it for me.”
She fingered it and lowered her head. “You never took it back.”
