Page 41 of Dirty Daria
“What if it’s cold?”
“Yoga pants and a hoodie. Plus, I can stay inside if it’s too cold, it’s not like we’re stranded on the beach. It’s an upscale resort. Alyssa found where David is staying, and I got you and me a really cool room at the same place.”
“Not too close to him, I hope. I don’t want to see him.”
“No, not too close at all.”
“Oh good. Okay, then I’m going to pack the same things you did.”
“Good, I’m on my way to get you.”
“Wait, now? Ohmigod, I’m not ready. Shit. Okay, I’ll be ready. See you soon.” She disconnects the call before I can say anything else.
I double check all the doors and windows in my place, grab my suitcase, set my alarm system, and go outside to wait for my Lyft.
* * *
Mack and Reed are already at the hangar when Quinn and I arrive. Reed looks pissed and I’m sure it’s because they wouldn’t let them on the plane until I got there. Even though I’d apprised the pilot of everyone who would be traveling with us, and their names. These guys are employed by my father, they aren’t going to do anything without a Limonov telling them to first.
I nod to one of the airport personnel and he collects our luggage and loads it in the jet. One of the flight attendants comes forward. “Miss Limonov, it is a pleasure to have you back with us again. I have coffee and pastries on board for you.” She waves her hand toward the steps leading to the plane.
“Thank you, Vickie.” I smile and squeeze her upper arm as a show of my thanks. Vickie has worked for my father for a long time. He pays her very well to sit around and wait for him to need her somewhere in the US. The same with his pilots. He has two sets of pilots, two sets of flight attendants, and two private jets, one on the West Coast, and one on the East Coast. That doesn’t include those he has in Russia.
As I’ve said, my father is extremely powerful, obscenely wealthy, and he doesn’t like to be inconvenienced in any way. Ever. So, these people who he employs and trusts are paid to always be on call. They probably only work a few weeks out of the year in actuality, and they do still get approved time off when they need it. But the rest of the time, they just wait for him to call. Like a tier four mistress who only gets the call when the first three are busy.
I wave the guys forward and head for the plane, Quinn follows behind me.
“It’s smaller than I thought it would be,” she says. “But bigger at the same time. It’s safe though, right?”
The pilot, Pete, hears her from where he stands just outside the cockpit. “Safest plane you’ll ever fly in, ma’am. Mr. Limonov keeps all his transport vehicles in mint condition.”
“You’re the pilot?” Quinn asks.
“That’s right. Captain Peter Phillips, at your service.”
“Well, I feel very capable in your hands, captain,” Quinn flirts.
I hear gagging noises behind us and turn to see Reed making a face. Serves him right for not stepping up where Quinn is concerned. We all know he likes her, and everyone in the world knows that she likes him. Quinn deserves to be swept off her feet by her own version of Prince Charming, even if he’s in the form of a pilot.
My father’s jet seats twelve between a variety of reclining chairs and two benches. There is also a kitchenette toward the front, a small bedroom in the back with a queen size bed, and a large bathroom with a shower. Not to mention two large screen TV’s, surround sound, gaming systems, and a virtual chess board. He spares no expense.
I sit in one of the reclining chairs that is off on its own. I glance up and see the look of disappointment on Mack’s face that there isn’t a place to sit next to me. I sat here for that very reason. I need a little space at the start of this trip. Two weeks with him is going to kill me. He chooses the seat across from me instead.
Quinn flops down on the bench seat and says, “All of this luxury is exhausting. Wake me when we’re there.”
I know that she’s only partly serious. I slipped her a valium on the way here since she’s afraid of flying and doesn’t want to pay too close attention during takeoff.
“Quinn.” I wait until she looks up at me. “There’s a bedroom in the back, with a bed.”
“Of course there is. I’m fine here, thanks.”
Reed takes a seat all the way in the back by himself and immediately orders a whiskey from Vickie. Mack frowns at him but says nothing.
“This is your captain speaking, please prepare for takeoff. We’ll be in the air about ten hours before stopping to refuel, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight.”
I kick my chair into recline and put my headphones on, ready to tune out everyone and everything so I can devise a plan for avoiding Mack and taking down David.
We’ve been in the air about ten minutes when I feel my body being lifted and moved. I open my eyes and see that Mack is carrying me across the small aisle and setting me down in the large chair next to his.
