He sits me in a seat across from him as he sits closer to the door. I watch it, judging my chances at making a run for it. “Relax—our flight leaves in a bit.”
“Oh goodness.” My mind goes straight to Domani and the look on his face when I left him. I hurt him, told him I hated him…and I may never see him again. He’ll be killed because of me. I was locked away to protect me from men like Peter. “Peter, can we talk about this?”
“About what, my sweet Aria?”
“I’m married already. Why do you want me anyway? We haven’t spoken since Gloria and Cormack’s wedding.”
“Yes, because they kept me from you.”
“Kept you away? You’re related to my brother-in-law.”
“Yes, but no man was allowed to get close.”
“I don’t understand why you didn’t try to visit us as a member of your brother’s family. It wouldn’t have been hard. You must not care that much about me if you were willing to stay away.”
“Hardly. I blame my brother for not fighting for my VISA to America.”
“How did you get here?”
“I have friends that made it happen. Did you miss me?”
“I don’t even know you.”
“You will in good time, and I’ll be a much better husband than that fuck. He doesn’t know how to treat a woman well.” I do my best to hold my tongue. He got rid of his wife so he could pursue me; he’s terrible when it comes to women.
“What’s taking so long?” he shouts over his shoulder.
The pilot answers via the plane intercom, “Sir, we are delayed due to some inclement weather. We need another hour before we can fly.”
“Fine. Let me know if we can depart sooner.” He turns his attention to me and then says, “It’s fine. Those fools don’t even know I have you. They think those rotting corpses stole you. We have time to relax. Would you care for something to drink?”
“No. Thank you,” I bite out. I don’t trust him at all.
“You must be thirsty,” he insists, which worries me even more.
“Yes. I’m parched, but I can’t be sure you won’t drug me.”
“How could you think such a thing? I want to make you my wife. I’d never hurt you.”
“But I was drugged earlier,” I express, leaving out the fact that he killed his last wife.
“Please bring my bride a bottle of water, sealed,” he shouts instead of using the damned intercom. Goodness, was he born in a barn or something? No manners whatsoever.
“I’m sleepy. Is there somewhere I can rest until we take off?”
“The seats recline. Please take advantage of that because at this moment, it’s all I can trust you with. I need you in my sight at all times unless you want to be tied up.” I’m gonna stab him in the eye one day for sure.
“No. I’ll sit here. Okay.” I sit down and press the button, lowering the headrest, and close my eyes. I can’t handle looking at him and pretending not to be disgusted. He repulses me more and more with every second that ticks by. I found him slimy and creepy when we first met as he stared at me with his wife by his side. He’s the epitome of super insane. My sister was afraid to be alone with him, although Cormack never let that happen because he didn’t trust his filthy brother either.
All I can hope for is that Domani can find me even though I’ve given him no reason to want to. I was a total bitch, even striking him. If I could change everything I said, I would. “Madam, here is your drink.” I open my eyes and take the bottle from the flight attendant. Why would they have a glass bottle of water instead of plastic? It seems like an expensive waste, but more power to Evian for selling me a weapon.
My mind goes to ways to break free from this asshole. As I open the bottle, I hear a shot go off and the attendant screams. Did he shoot her too? I close the cap on my water bottle, hoping I don’t incur his wrath.
“Aria.” I turn my eyes to the entrance, and there’s my husband standing there with his gun trained on Peter, who’s bleeding from this leg.
“Domani,” I gasp, feeling lightheaded from happiness, but then a sense of fearlessness hits me. I stand, moving toward my husband. Sensing Peter’s movements, I swing the glass bottle and crack it across his head. Peter looks at me with pure betrayal as he loses consciousness. Nero comes from behind Domani with two more guards. Domani yanks Peter’s gun away before zip-tying him.
“Aria, that’s my queen. Come here.” He pulls me into his arms, not waiting for me to cross the short distance. “I’ll be dealing with him later, but I need to get Aria home.”