Chapter 3
CANE
“What do you mean there’s not enough fuel?” I was standing in front of my private jet, focused on my pilot, who was, unfortunately, getting the bitter end of my attitude. All I wanted was to get home, take a shower, and relax. I’d had a long few weeks, working with new clients for new franchises. I needed a damn break.
“I apologize for the inconvenience, sir,” said Blake, my pilot. “I arrived here two hours before your arrival, like I always do. I spoke to those guys over there, and they told me they’d just used the last of what they had on two other jets.” He pointed to the orange-vested men gathered around a work station. “They said there would be more delivered in a few hours, so as soon as they fill the jet, I can call it in and make a new plan for flight.”
I shoved a hand to my hip and pinched the bridge of my nose with the other hand. “This is unbelievable. They knew my flight was happening, and they didn’t think to order more fuel?”
“I’m sorry, sir. If you’d like, you can wait on board. It shouldn’t be more than a few hours. The Wi-Fi is on, and the flight attendant has drinks ready.”
I pressed my lips. “It’s fine,” I sighed. “It’s not your fault. I’ll wait on board, but keep me updated.”
“Will do, sir.”
I turned away from Blake, going up the stairs to get on the jet. As I boarded, I spotted the flight attendant standing by the mini bar to my right. “Good afternoon, Mr. Cane. Would you like me to make your favorite?”
“No. A little too early for scotch. Thanks, though.”
With a grunt, I sat down, pulling out my laptop and cellphone. I decided to give Kandy another call, but there was no answer. I placed the phone down, frowning. She was acting strange this morning, and it wasn’t like her not to answer my calls, no matter what she was doing. I assumed she was busy. Probably taking a shower or eating—something of that nature. She was going to be starting her senior year in about two weeks, so she could have been preparing for that.
Ever since I’d proposed to her, things had shifted. I could tell she was happy, but even I knew that deep down, more would change for her. Not only that, but she still hadn’t told her parents yet. She wasn’t sure how to break the news to them, especially with Derek. She knew Derek wasn’t keen with having me around, but being engaged and then married meant I wasn’t going anywhere, and he would have to deal with it.
I had no doubts about asking for her hand in marriage. I wanted her around for the rest of my life and didn’t want her getting away from me again.
The time we spent in Belize was refreshing and exciting, not to mention we fucked a lot. I’d even found new trigger spots of hers that made her roll with orgasms. During that trip, I didn’t work at all. I dedicated all of my time to her, and fell even more in love with that girl. I’d bought the ring three months prior to Belize, after all. I carried that velvet box with me, feeling the weight of it in my pocket every single day, waiting for the perfect moment to ask. When it finally came, I went for it, and I had no regrets.
Three hours later, the jet was fueled up, and Blake announced that he was ready for takeoff. I closed my laptop and buckled in, but just as I was about to turn my cellphone off, a number popped up on my screen. I didn’t know who it was, so I ignored it, but they called again. I ignored it once more. Then the same number sent a text message, and when I read over it, I couldn’t believe who it was from.
Mr. Cane, This is Eden St. Claire. It would be wise to answer the phone when your new sponsor calls.
What the hell?
Just when I thought my life was getting easier, a message from her shows up. Now, out of all times. Now, when my life was just starting to turn around. Of course there was a storm coming. We’d had too much bliss, and it was due time, but what in the living fuck could Eden St. Claire want?
Chapter 4
KANDY
“This is fucking insane,” I huffed, sitting on the counter. Lora was standing beside me, reading over the instructions of the pregnancy test.
“It’s really fucking simple, Kandy Jennings. Just pee on the stick.”
“I don’t mean that—I just mean, all of this.” She peered up, and I focused on her eyes. “The doctor told me I had an 85 percent chance of not carrying a child. I don’t want to take this test and be disappointed.”