Page 17 of Billionaire's Fake Plus One

The crew comesin after us and Lucien gives me a short tour of the plane as they do their thing. There’s a closed off area that looks office-y, and Lucien confirms this is where he conducts work on his private jet if he isn’t the one flying.

“About that…I’msurprised you're not the one flying the plane or at least co-piloting.” He seems the type who would always want to be in charge.

He shrugsas he leads me into a cozy bedroom with the bed dominating most of the space. “I was going to fly initially, but we have a lot of bases to cover before we reach our destination.”

He dropsour bags on the bed, then opens a door that leads to a small but elegant bathroom. He shows me the rear lounge area and the bar where the hostess is stationed, then we go back to the main cabin.

We buckleinto the soft as hell chairs, and I relax into my seat as the plane taxies down the runway. Lucien takes his phone out of his pocket and starts typing. I sit up, worrying my bottom lip with my teeth as I watch him.

“What?”he asks, not lifting his head up from his phone.

“Aren’tyou supposed to keep that tucked away? It’s against the rules to have electronics on during a flight,” I remind him.

He gives me a weird look.“It’s my plane.”

“But isn’tit dangerous to be on your phone? I thought it would disturb the electricity or maybe the engine of the plane…” I trail off when he chuckles.

“On the contrary.The FCC discovered that phones not being in airplane mode while on a flight can overload the networks on the ground.”

“Oh.Doesn’t that mean you should adhere to the rule too?”

“It’s fine, Willow,”he assures me as the plane picks up speed. I relax into my seat and close my eyes. I can feel his eyes on me, but I keep mine tightly shut as I concentrate on my breathing.

“Nervous flyer?”he asks. I make a sound from the back of my throat in answer. “This plane is totally safe, Willow. You have nothing to worry about.” I nod but don’t open my eyes until the plane reaches peak altitude. I blow out a breath and open my eyes.

He raiseshis brow at me. “Sorry. I don’t fly a lot.” I explain. “I’m always a bit nervous with takeoffs.”

“Are you okay now?”he asks, and I nod. “Good,” he responds, unbuckling his seat belt. I stare at him in question, and he gestures for me to follow him. He leads me to his office.

“This place is soundproof.We can talk here without the crew hearing,” he informs me as he takes a seat. “They know better than to interrupt me when I’m in here. We need to cover our bases before we reach Half Moon Bay. The two hours in the air should be enough.” I take the seat across from him and stare at him expectantly. He hesitates and the first stirrings of unease cross my mind. What’s on his mind?

“So, the wedding we’re attending…”he starts, running a hand through his hair. “It’s true that I’m only going because of business obligations. But the groom is a mutual acquaintance. You know him.”

My brows furrowas I try to think of anyone I know getting married who might be a mutual acquaintance. “I do?” I mutter.

“It’s Zane,”he informs me.

I stare at him blankly,sure that I heard him wrong. “What? Zane as in your little brother, Zane?” My ex?! He doesn’t answer. Just watches me steadily, the tick in his clenched jaw the only reaction from him. That in itself is answer enough.

I jumpout of the chair and pace the short space in agitation. Zane is getting married? “How come you’re just telling me this? It should have been the first thing you mentioned!”

“I wasn’tsure what your reaction would be, and I needed you to agree to come with me.”

I scoff angrily,“You mean you manipulated me!” I glance out the window, but blue clouds are the only site as far as the eye can see.

His expression becomes guarded.“Manipulation is a strong word.”

“It’s the right word,Lucien! You knew if you told me from the start whose wedding we’re attending I would’ve said no. Don’t even pretend you don’t know that!”

He sighs.“You’re right. I don’t understand why you’re getting so worked up, though. Nothing’s changed since you agreed to come with me.”

I whirlaround to face him, hands coming to my hips as I narrow my eyes. Does he really not know why I’m getting upset?

“Nothing’s changedexcept the little detail that the wedding we’re going to is my ex’s wedding!” I shout, suddenly realizing why he brought me into this sound proofed office before telling me that tidbit.

He knewI’d react exactly like this!

“He cheatedon you over a year ago. I expect you would have moved on by now,” he says, leaning back in his seat, arms crossed.

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