As I looked out the small window, the sun was just setting on the horizon. It seemed closer than usual, and bigger.Beautiful.While staring at the window, I could feel the plane level off. When clouds consumed the view, and there was nothing more to see, I pulled down the shade and diverted my sights back to the wall.
Jeannie appeared from behind the partition holding a glass of wine and a tray of cheese and crackers. “I took the liberty of bringing you a snack and some wine.”
I pulled up the side table and watched her place the wine and the tray on it. “Thank you,” I said, displaying a grateful smile.
“If there is anything else you need, please let me know.”
There was something else I needed, but I knew she couldn’t help me with it. If Davian didn’t appear by the time I finished my wine, I would go to him. “Thank you, Jeannie.”
I made myself comfortable as I sipped my wine and ate the cheese and crackers Jeannie had brought. While waiting for Davian to emerge, I occupied my time by looking through a recent copy ofVogue Magazine.I wasn’t one to look through fashion magazines. The models were beautiful but seemed unrealistic compared to how women in the real world were. There was no way I would look as good as they did in some of the clothes they were modeling. Unless I had a seamstress at my beck and call, 24/7, I’d be lucky if any of the dresses fit. My curves were all in the wrong places.
Fanning the last pages of the magazine, I downed the last of my wine and placed them both on the side table. I unbuckled my seatbelt and pushed to my feet. Davian had more than enough time to take care of whatever it was he had to do. Before I reached the wall that separated the meeting room from the main cabin, Davian appeared. His hair looked a mess, and the expression that covered his face made him look older than his thirty-two years.
I was thought for sure that Davian had seen me, but instead of stopping, he ran straight into me. His mind was definitely elsewhere, which confirmed my suspicion that something was going on. I held my hands out, meeting his chest before I toppled over. “Davian, what is going on?”
His eyes met mine and it was clear he was upset. “I’m not sure where to begin, but I think you should be sitting when I tell you.”
Davian took me by the hand and pulled me inside the meeting room. It was strange. Of all the times I had been on his plane, I had never been in this room. Monitors lined one wall of the room while small windows lined the other. A large ten-foot cherrywood table with matching chairs was in the middle of the room and could seat ten people. Davian rolled a chair from the table for me before taking a seat next to me.
Holding my hand in his, Davian smoothed his thumb across my knuckles. “Davian, please just tell me what is going on.”
“When the police went to the cabin to arrest Crosby, he wasn’t there. Somehow, he managed to get away before they arrived. We think that someone tipped him off.”
“So, he is still out there?” I could feel my chest tighten. Davian and I would never have a normal life that didn’t include being scared at every turn.
“He is.” Davian pulled me closer and held me in his arms. “We are going to find him.”
As Davian held me against him, his cell rang. He continued to comfort me, and as much as I wanted him to hold me, I couldn’t help but wonder who was calling. “Aren’t you going to answer that? It could be important.”
“Whoever it is will call again. I need to make sure you are okay.” Davian placed his lips on mine, taking me to another world where it was just us.
His cell rang again and whoever was calling him made it clear that it was important. Breaking our kiss, Davian pulled his cell from his pocket and looked at the screen. With the screen in my view, I saw that it was Patton calling. Instead of holding the phone to his ear, Davian placed the cell on the long table and put the call on speaker. Even though I was glad that he let me in on the conversation, I was nervous about what Patton had to say.
“Patton, I have Reyna with me. Tell me you have good news.” Davian kept his eyes on mine as he greeted Patton.
“I’m afraid not,” Patton began. “Axe went to check on Delilah. She wouldn’t answer her door, so he got one of the maids to open the door. The room was empty.”
“What do you mean the room was empty?” I asked, afraid that Crosby had gotten to her.
“All of her personal items were gone, including her suitcase. It was as if she had checked out.”
Looking over to Davian and based on the expression across his face, he knew what I would ask. “We didn’t think it was necessary to have one of the men guard her door. She knew she might be in danger and wouldn’t risk leaving The Regency without protection.” Davian squeezed my hand lightly, showing a regretful look on his face. “I’m sorry, princess. We thought watching the hotel would be enough.”
“I understand, Davian. It’s not your fault. Do you think Crosby got to her?” I asked hesitantly, wanting to hear any answer but ‘yes.’
“There is something you need to know, princess. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to tell you this until we could confirm our theory.”
“What is it?” I wasn’t sure I could handle any more bad news, but I had to know.
“We think that Delilah might have been the one to tip him off. We believe she is the one behind everything.”
“What!” I stood from my chair and towered over Davian defensively. “There is no way Delilah could be a part of this. She is the sweetest, dearest person I’ve ever known.”
“At first, I didn’t believe it myself, but when the men searched the cabin where you were held captive, they found several documents with Delilah’s signature that proved she was the leader.”
There had to be some kind of mistake. No way could Delilah be the leader of anything so heinous. I lowered myself back onto my chair. “What documents, Davian?”
“Contracts.” Davian began as he forked his hands through his hair. “They were between various individuals and the McCall Agency.”