She was the woman he loved.
Violet focused the fragments of attention she could summon on the wide screen that tracked the plane’s flight path to London. As if keeping it in sight would dull the pain rippling through her veins. She’d prayed she’d got it wrong, that she’d misinterpreted Zak’s conversation. But her mother’s caginess and eventual confession that her NDA forbade her from discussing her agreement with Zak had killed any last dregs of hope.
Seven short hours.
Then she could find a quiet hotel to hide away in. Having given up the flat she’d shared with Sage after her twin’s departure and her own temporary relocation to New York, Violet had nowhere to go save the house she’d grown up in, and she had no intention of returning to Barringhall. It hadn’t felt like home in a long time anyway. Knowing the very roof over her head was paid for with greed and shameless money-grabbing antics had soured it for her a long time ago.
She would give herself a few days, then start flat-and job-hunting. She had a baby coming. As much as she wanted to wallow in misery she—
She sucked in a breath as the plane banked sharply to the left. That in itself wasn’t unusual, but the onscreen map flickering off for a moment before returning with a different destination was what stopped her breath completely.
He wouldn’t dare!
Please, God, let him not do this. Violet didn’t think she could stand it. The moment the plane righted itself, she grabbed the phone that handily announced its connection with the pilot.
He answered on the first ring. ‘My apologies, Lady Barringhall, I was about to step out and apprise you of the flight plan change.’
‘Tell me we’re not returning to the island?’
‘Ah... I’m afraid I can’t.’ It didn’t help that he sounded genuinely regretful.
It didn’t help that her heart leapt for a wild, shameful moment before crashing harder than before. It didn’t help that when they landed back on the island an hour later, Zak stood on the tarmac, uncaring that his hair was wildly tousled by the turbulent air or that the all-white linen shirt and trousers only highlighted his perfection.
But she could help staying in her seat long after the pilot disembarked with his crew.
And she remained seated, her heart in her throat, as Zak watched her through the window until his staff drove away. Only then did he mount the stairs into the plane.
It’d only been a few hours since she’d seen him, but it felt like a lifetime had passed. He still looked devilishly breathtaking.
Formidable. Imperious. Calculating as he paused at the front of the plane, stormcloud eyes devouring her. After an age he turned to the door and pressed a series of buttons. In under a minute they were sealed in.
Panic flared through her but she fought to keep it from showing. ‘I’m starting to think you have a bondage fetish, Your Highness. Shall I add that to the list of your sins?’
He sauntered down the aisle, his watchful gaze unwavering. Expecting him to take the seat opposite, Violet let out a soft gasp when he sank to his knees in front of her. ‘Tell me what you intended to say at breakfast this morning, Violet.’
‘I told you, I don’t remember—’
He leaned forward, his throat moving convulsively. ‘Please, carissima. Tell me,’ he implored.
‘Why?’ she whispered.
His hands suddenly gripped hers, their fine tremor triggering an earthquake inside her. ‘Because I suspect I made a very terrible mistake in not delaying taking my brother’s call.’
The air left her lungs but she fought against the tendrils of hope teasing her shattered emotions. ‘Did Remi really call?’
He frowned, then nodded. ‘Of course. He called to tell me I’m to become an uncle. Why would you think otherwise?’
She held his gaze without answering, her eyes widening when sharp regret darkened his eyes. ‘You think I deceived you,’ he declared.
‘I spoke to my mother, Zak. And I heard you this morning.’
‘I know you did. She called to inform me.’
She gasped, pain stabbing her heart. ‘So what is this? Why bring me back here?’
‘Because I’m learning that my way of doing things won’t always reap the results I want.’
‘You think?’