Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98469 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98469 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
The flight to Coral Bay is quick, and the ride from the airport is long, thanks to the city traffic. They’re getting married downtown, in one of the hotels we built, and everyone is staying there as well.
As the driver heads toward the hotel, I can’t help but look out the window for the fiery redhead who, to this day, still crosses my mind. I could’ve looked her up—especially since I had Janet follow through with the scholarship for her, so it would’ve been easy to get her info—but when Peyton told me she’d moved on, I took it as a sign to let her go. But that doesn’t stop me from thinking about her from time to time, especially when I’m in the city.
“Dominick,” Jaimie says when I see him after the wedding at the reception, “thanks for coming, man.”
“Of course.” I give him a one-armed hug, then hug his wife, Beatrice. “Congratulations.”
We spend a few minutes talking about where they’ll be honeymooning and what Jaimie’s plans are for expansion when they get home and he’s back to business, which leads to the topic of the real estate development project we’ve secured in Harbor Point.
I’m going through our plans when my phone vibrates in my pocket. With Anthony on the loose—thanks to my brother being held up and not seeing my text until almost an hour later—and disappearing underground, like the snake that he is, we’re all on alert, unsure how serious his threats were.
“Excuse me for a second,” I tell Jaimie and Beatrice, clicking on my email from the management company who handles our private jet.
“Dammit.” I shake my head when I read the email.
During their routine check, they found an issue with the engine and have to park it to fix it, which means it will be unavailable for my trip tomorrow. They can procure a replacement, but it’s going to take a few days.
I send a text to Lorenzo to let him know he’ll be able to use the company jet once it’s available since I’m going to have to find another plane to take to Russia, and then I pocket my phone.
“Everything okay?” Beatrice asks, concern etched in her features.
Jaimie is one lucky bastard to snag a woman like her. Genuine women are hard to come by. They’re either after you for your power or money—or in Matteo’s case, they just want a night with a bad boy, but they could never handle the life we live.
“I was supposed to head to Russia to pick up my sister tomorrow, but our plane is down with an engine issue.”
“Take mine,” Jaimie offers. “We’re not leaving for our honeymoon for a few days because Beatrice’s family is in town.”
He wraps his arm around his wife and kisses her temple, and not for the first time, a small part of me thinks about Peyton, wondering if I hadn’t fucked shit up, maybe I could’ve had what he has. I immediately shove the thought away. Even if I hadn’t walked out and pushed Peyton away, I wouldn’t have wanted to bring her into my world.
At least with Jaimie, he’s a legitimate businessman, so he doesn’t have to worry about keeping the people close to him safe.
“I appreciate that,” I tell him. “If all goes well, I should only be there for a couple of days.”
“It’s all good,” Jaimie says with a smirk. “Having an Antonov owe me a favor might come in handy one day.”
“Good afternoon, Mr. Antonov. My name is Sonia, and I’ll be one of your flight attendants today.”
I glance up from my phone at the black-haired woman and smile. “Thank you.”
“Since this is your first time on Mr. Sanchez’s plane, please allow me to show you around.”
I nod and follow her around the plane. It has a bedroom, bathroom, and lounge. Since it’s a twelve-hour flight, I plan to use the time to get some work done and get some sleep since there’s an eight-hour time difference and we’ll be arriving in Russia in the morning.
The bedroom will also come in handy on the way back to Harbor Point. I’m betting that Brielle is going to be pissed that I’m forcing her to come home, and she’ll need a place to hide out—or vice versa. Eleven hours in a confined space with my pissed-off sister will not be—
“I am so sorry I’m late!” a feminine voice hisses, cutting off my thoughts. “Damien was having a rough day and—”
I glance back, and emerald eyes—the same color I’ve seen in damn near every one of my fantasies over the past four and a half years—collide with mine. Fiery-red hair, porcelain skin. She’s put on a little bit of weight since the last time I saw her, but her curves only add to her beauty. She’s dressed in the same outfit as Sonia—a black-and-gold blazer with a matching skirt—but unlike Sonia’s chunky boots, she’s sporting a pair of heels, reminding me of our night together.