Page 21 of Discretion

The sun glinted off the windscreen, Jasper’s voice crackling through the headset. “After my parents’ crash, I was terrified of flying. But I also loved to travel. And I knew that flying was an inescapable part of my life.”

I placed my hand to my throat, my heart aching for him. For the family he’d lost and the fears he’d had to overcome.

“My gran suggested I learn more about airplanes to help with my fear. And that led to me wanting to get my pilot’s license. I absolutely fell in love with it. I loved learning something new. I craved the sense of control.”

“That’s both understandable and admirable.”

“I had no idea you were this easy to impress,” he teased. “Maybe I should’ve taken you for a helicopter ride sooner.”

I rolled my eyes, not that he could see them behind my sunglasses. “I’m not impressed.” When he turned to me, eyebrow raised in challenge, I said, “Okay. Maybe a little impressed.” I held up my thumb and forefinger. “You have to land us safely first.”

“Then you’ll be impressed.” I wasn’t sure if it was a question or a statement.

“We’ll see,” I said, trying not to laugh.

“I hadn’t planned on getting my helicopter license, but Iwas sick of LA traffic. And if I’m in the air, I want to be the one in control.”

It wasn’t the only place he liked being in control, but I didn’t mention that. I didn’t have to, judging by the heated way he was looking at me. I squirmed in my seat, feeling my skin heat.

“Eyes on the sky.” I straightened in my seat, adopting a prim posture.

Sloan was relying on me, and I wanted to prove that Jasper and I could work well together. Or maybe I just needed the reassurance.

“What about the private jet?” I asked, trying to keep our conversation focused on work-appropriate topics. “You don’t typically fly that, do you?”

“No, but I rigorously review the flight plan and the crew.”

I knew the plane crash had affected Jasper and his siblings—how could it not? He’d lost his parents and his aunt and uncle in one cruel, tragic accident. But I hadn’t realized how deeply scarred he was by it until now.

Something from his childhood, from decades past, had such a profound impact on him. Understandably so. And it made me wonder how Kai would feel about the divorce as he got older. Would it push him to avoid love or romantic relationships? Would he find it difficult to trust?

“There it is,” Jasper said, breaking me out of my thoughts.

We gradually descended until we landed in a field next to the warehouse. As the blades slowed, their incessant buzz whirling to a stop, I removed my helmet.

“Are you okay?” Jasper asked, removing his helmet. “You got quiet on me there at the end.”

I forced a smile, opening the door. “I’m great.”

Even from behind his sunglasses, I could feel him studying me. Someone emerged from the warehouse to greet us, and I was grateful for the escape—from my thoughts,from the proximity to Jasper. Because his admissions had me making some of my own.

I wasn’t comfortable with the way Craig had treated me, and I didn’t want my son growing up thinking that was okay. I also didn’t want Kai to be afraid of love and connection. To avoid it or become jaded because of how I’d responded in the wake of the divorce.

And if I didn’t want Kai to follow in his parents’ footsteps—at least how they’d been up to this point—then I had to show him another way. A different way.

CHAPTER FIVE

“Mackenzie,” Dimitri said with a glint in his eye, his heavy accent dancing with each syllable.

He was impressed by the helicopter, even if he wasn’t willing to admit it. Money talked. And seeing him now, I was that much happier about our grand entrance.

He turned his gaze to Halle, and I didn’t like the way he appraised her. Like a beautiful piece he wanted to add to his collection. She was breathtaking, but she wasn’t a possession. And we were here on business.

“Dimitri,” I said, my jaw clenched tight. I wished I’d realized he was the art dealer we were coming to meet.

“And you must be Halle.” Dimitri shook her hand. “A pleasure to finally meet you.” He brought her hand to his mouth for a kiss. Dimitri was smooth, I’d give him that.

Halle dipped her head. “I’m looking forward to seeing your collection.”