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A month ago, she’d turned twenty-three.
Things were about to change, were already changing. Leia had insisted on choosing how she spent her birthday, instead of letting Warren make the choice for her as he’d done since she was seventeen. And although she’d sensed his disappointment when she went ahead and bought herself a ticket on the highlyexclusive Indigo Lounge, she couldn’t help but think this was some sort of test.
It was one of many tests he’d set for her over the last five years.
In the beginning, she’d failed many of them. But he’d been patient. Nurturing. Gentle even sometimes, when he wasn’t pummeling her ass during their sparring matches.
Leia exhaled and smoothed a trembling hand over the side of her head. The six-inch swathe she’d shaved off above her right ear had grown almost a millimeter. She was undecided whether to let it grow back completely or keep it shaved. But that was a decision for another day.
Right now, the only thing she needed to think about was whether to join the champagne reception once they reached cruising altitude, or stay in her suite and decide on which of theSeven Highswould be her first. Every self-preserving nerve screeched at her to stay put in her suite.
To stay safe.
She started as her cell rang. Only one person knew her whereabouts. Only one person would call to check up on her so soon.
As usual, mixed feelings of trepidation and elation wrestled within her. She answered the phone. “Warren.”
“Are you well, my dear?” His voice, always soft, always modulated, drifted over her senses. A feeling of calm stole over her, like a soothing pat on the back after a long cry.
“Yes, fine thanks.”
“Is your adventure everything you dreamed it would be?”
She laughed. “It’s barely started.”
He paused a beat. “You will be careful, won’t you, my dear? You won’t forget everything I’ve taught you?” Although his voice remained soft, she sensed a tiny thread of censure, the same tone she’d heard when she’d told him her plan to take the IL trip.
Her hand tightened over the phone as her trepidation escalated. “No, of course not. I haven’t forgotten.” Not that she needed the reminder.
Since she’d left the safety of home, Leia’s instincts had been on red-hot alert. And she planned to keep it that way.
The intercom next to the door buzzed. “I have to go, Warren.”
“Of course. We will speak tomorrow. As we agreed, the board meeting has been rearranged for the day after you return, but there are some papers I need you to sign. I’ll email them to you.”
“Okay, sounds good.”
“I hope you’re prepared, Leia. It will be a big change for you.”
“I know. But I’ll handle it.” Stepping into shoes—which had been so violently vacated she was sure there was residual blood and gore in the soles—was one thing she wouldn’t be thinking about during this trip.
“But also don’t forget you have options. I can make a few suggestions?—”
“Do you mind, Warren? I really don’t want to talk about that now. And no, I’m not burying my head in the sand. I’d just prefer to deal with it when I get back.”
Silence greeted her response. Crap. Warren disliked being interrupted. How could she have forgotten that?
“Very well. As you wish.”
“I… Thank you for calling to check up on me.”
“Of course. You’re precious to me, my dear,” he said.
Her heart shuddered at the wealth of meaning behind the simple words. At the subtle changes she’d begun to notice. “Bye.”
Slowly, she hung up and breathed deep. Her mind slid toward what she’d labeledThe Next Step,but she pulled herself back. There would be more than enough time to think about it later.
The buzzer sounded again. Smoothing her hand over her black leather pants, she went over and answered it. Bjorn, her personal valet, smiled.