Kingdom Fall

“Striker, wait?”

I didn’t. I rushed out as though I walked over hot coals. When I reached her bag, I waited a second as the phrase Don’t let fear destroy your life played in my head. The problem was. I had no choice. I was too fucked up. Being a dominant worked for me. I set the rules so I could sate my baser needs and leave. The word boyfriend or husband could never define me. It would mean I had to stay, and that wasn’t an option.

When I brought the bag back, she’d wrapped herself in a sheet and held out a hand.

“Thank you, Connor,” she said with a frosty bite.

I nodded and left. I sat in my chair and closed my eyes. I kept them that way when I heard her return. She made no attempt to speak to me, though I couldn’t blame her. It was my fault for agreeing to try something I knew wasn’t possible. She thought I could always be gentle. I knew differently. I knew what my hands were capable of.

Grant came out of the cockpit. “I would have offered sooner, but you guys were in the back. There’s food and snacks in the cabinets and drinks below that. We should begin our descent in about an hour.”

“Thanks,” Lizzy said. The warmth in that one word made me crazy, but she’d be better off with him. Grant seemed like the kind of guy who could be the boyfriend she wanted.

Safe in a chair, I allowed myself to fall back asleep. Hunger could wait.

“Mr. Black?”

I woke to see Grant standing above me.

“We’ve arrived,” he said, and I nodded. A glance over revealed Lizzy was gone. “Don’t worry, she went back to change. The weather here is in the sixties.”

As I got to my feet, she emerged from the other compartment. She was in the black shapeless outfit she’d changed into in the tunnel from New York on our way to a private airport in New Jersey. We would need to buy more clothes.

Her eyes bounced off me and I tried not to grimace. I hadn’t meant to hurt her. In the end, this was best. She didn’t realize the favor I was doing for her.

“Well, it was nice having you on board, Mr. and Mrs. Black. I hope you’ll use our services again.”

“Do you have a card?” Lizzy asked. “You know, in case I want to fly alone.”

Grant looked at me. When I said nothing, he said, “Sure. Let me get one.”

I faced her. “Lizzy.”

“Elizabeth to you. Let’s keep it professional, Connor.”

“You don’t understand,” I said.

“No, I don’t. Either you’re being incredibly stupid while trying to be heroic or this was a game to you the entire time.”

“It’s not like that.”

“Then what is it like?” she sneered.

“This is for the best.”

“For who? You?”

“You,” I said.

“Oh, when did you become the keeper of my decisions? I don’t remember signing up to be your submissive.” Grant came back and Lizzy walked forward. She took his card. “Oh, Grant King. I hope you’re better than the other ones I know.”

“Excuse me?” Grant asked, sounding confused.

“Nothing. Will you be around the next few days?” she asked.

“I’ll be here at least twenty-four hours. Rules require a certain amount of downtime after a long-haul flight.”

“I’ll cover your hotel,” I said.

He grinned. “Don’t worry. It’s on the bill.”

“Get yourself an upgrade. He can afford it,” she said before exiting the open plane door.

“Yeah, an upgrade is good,” I said. “You saved our asses.”

He nodded. I wanted to ask more, but I feared Lizzy might take off like her friend Bailey did when Kalen brought her overseas. At the bottom of the stairs, a customs agent was asking Lizzy questions.

“You don’t know where you’re going?” he asked in an Irish lit.

I jumped in and gave him the address of the flat where Bailey had stayed while she was here. With everything I hadn’t yet told Lizzy, the place she’d chosen belonged to me. “That’s where we’ll be.”

Lizzy gave me a look that could cut diamonds.

The agent looked down, and I couldn’t tell what he thought. He handed back her passport and I gave him mine. Shortly after, we were on our way. Griffin had ordered us a car, so we drove from the small private airport for fifteen or so miles to my flat.

When we walked through the door, I watched as Lizzy dragged her hand along the furniture, heading toward the sliding glass doors that led to the little balcony and the incredible view. She stepped out and the sounds of waves crashing into the beach filled the room, covering the deafening silence between us.

There was so much to say. We might not be right for each other, but I couldn’t seem to completely let go. I wanted to go to her, touch her, consume her, but I’d drawn a line in the sand. So instead I checked out the kitchen. Griffin had done what I expected. The cabinets were stocked, and the refrigerator was filled. We wouldn't have to leave for days.