“I need to contact my parents. They will get worried if I don’t let them know where I am.”
“They already know, Reyna.” His eyes softened as he walked over to the couch where I had taken a seat. When his eyes met mine, they were no longer the cold arctic blue from moments ago. Taking my hands one at a time, he brought them to his lips and placed a kiss on the left hand and then the right. My gaze never left his. “I will update them once we arrive in Chicago.”
How could this man be an ass one minute and a saint the next?
A knock at the door broke the intimate moment Davian and I were sharing. Kissing me on the forehead, Davian stood to his feet to answer the door. When he opened it, Patton and another gentleman, just as big, stood in the doorway. There were a few words between them I couldn’t hear. I was sure it had to do with the arrangements they had made because Patton entered the suite and picked up Kenzi’s small bag.
I pushed from the couch and walked over to Kenzi. There was no way I could leave without at least saying goodbye to my friend. Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled her close. “I’ll call you and let you know how I am every chance I can.”
It didn’t seem like much assurance until Davian chimed in. “Reyna will have a secure phone once we land in Chicago. The number will come up as ‘unknown’ but will have an 872 area code, so you will know it is her calling.”
Watching Kenzi leave the suite, my emotions took over, and the tears spilled like a waterfall. Davian was at my side, pulling me against his hard body. His warmth comforted me, but it didn’t help with the turmoil of everything that had taken place in the last six hours. Holding me at arm’s length, Davian lifted my chin. “We need to go.”
Nodding my head, I looked over to the door where the big guy who accompanied Patton still stood. “Is he taking us to the airport?”
Kissing the top of my head, Davian said, “Yes… Reyna, meet Marcus.”
Marcus tipped his head in response as he acknowledged me, but his eyes were on Davian. “We really need to go, Mr. Cross.”
∞
Davian’s private plane wasn’t what I expected. Then again, I didn’t know what to expect. I guess I might have thought ten rows of single seats on each side and a walkthrough in the middle. This plane was far more with its dark paneled walls and beige leather seating.Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. I hope they offer drinks on this flight.Pulling me from my thoughts, a young brunette, about my height, greeted us. “Good evening, Ms. McCall, Mr. Cross.”
“Good evening, Jeannie. I apologize for the late notice. How are the two little ones?” Davian returned her smile with one of his own.
“Bryce is getting bigger by the minute, and Cory has found out how to pull on his mother’s heartstrings. If there is anything you need, please let me know. The flight should be just under two hours.” Jeannie said, her bright smile bringing light to an otherwise less than comfortable situation.
“Two glasses of red would be perfect.”How did he know what I was thinking?
As I looked around the main cabin, I took a seat on a leather chair near one of the small windows. I couldn’t help but wonder how a perfect evening could change so quickly. Before the plane made its ascent, Jeannie brought me the glass of red wine Davian requested. As I looked around the cabin, I realized Davian had disappeared. The size of the plane made it impossible to know where he was. He could have been behind me somewhere beyond the etched glass partition, or in front of me behind the paneled wall. I should have paid more attention instead of taking a seat. The location of the door plainly revealed that we didn’t board at the front of the plane. Had we flown commercial, that would have been the case.
Before Jeannie got too far away, I asked, “Do you know where Davian is?”
“I believe he is in the conference room with Marcus and Calvin. I can let him know you are looking for him once the plane has stabilized.”
“That’s okay. I’m sure he is busy doing whatever it is that he does.” I should have added, like kidnapping innocent women, but I kept that thought to myself.
Giving me an ultra-white smile, she said, “Please fasten your seatbelt, Ms. McCall. We are about to take off.”
I knew the rules about take-off and remaining in your seat, but leaving me alone was just plain and simply rude. Watching Jeannie disappeared behind the paneled wall, I quickly released my seatbelt to find him, but before I could stand, the plane began its ascent, pushing me back into my seat. I would have to wait until the plane leveled out. It wasn’t like he was going anywhere.
As the plane slowly climbed in elevation, I remembered why I hated flying. Not even the luxury of this plane could tame the uneasiness I felt being in the air. In and out, breath after long breath, I tried to relax. I downed the red wine Jeannie brought me and prayed that it would stop my mind from spinning with thoughts of crashing. Closing my eyes, I leaned back against the headrest and counted back from one hundred, hoping that by the time I reached one, my panic attack would have passed.
One-hundred, ninety-nine.Breath, Reyna, breath.
… Eighty-four, eighty-three.In and out, in and out.
Fifty.
“Reyna, look at me. Open your eyes.”
My eyes popped open to Davian’s voice. The plane had leveled off, and I wondered for how long. Davian was kneeling before me trying to free my hands that were gripping the armrests. As my eyes focused on him, all I could see was worry behind the brilliant blue of his eyes. When I focused only on his eyes, the panic consuming my body decreased, and instead replaced by embarrassment. What was I thinking? I should have protested more at the hotel instead of trying and cope with my fear of flying.
“I’m sorry. I should have told you that I’m afraid to fly.” Just admitting it made my fear even worse.I wasn’t a child anymore. I shouldn’t be afraid to fly.
Davian pulled me from my seat and sat down and positioned me on his lap. He brushed away a stray hair as I focused on him. “Everyone has something that they are afraid of. What matters is how you deal with those fears. Either you can face them or let them control your life.”
Lifting my head from his shoulder, I asked, “What are you afraid of?”