Page 60 of Forced Bratva Hostage

Unfortunately, she is not ready to accept the truth about her half-brother, and I need time to figure out how to deal with him and how to make her see who he really is.

When I told her I wanted to take her away on vacation, I focused on the fact that she’d never been before and made no mention of getting her away from Boris.

“How far away is it?” she asks as we climb into the car.

“We’re taking my private jet. It’s not a long flight at all. Just under three and a half hours.”

“I can’t believe we’re going to the Bahamas. I’ve seen pictures, and I’ve always dreamed of going. I mean, there are so many places I have dreamed of going, but this was definitely on my list. The water looks so blue there, and the sand looks so white.”

She’s very chatty, bubbling with excitement, and it makes me smile to see her like this.

I’m amused and enthralled by her enthusiasm, and I’m really happy that I get to be the person with her for this experience.

“I’ve booked us a villa on the beach. That crystal-clear water and those white, sandy beaches are going to be your backyard for a few days.”

I park my car on the runway alongside the waiting jet. As I toss my keys to the guy who works in the hangar, he waves hello.

“Mr. Volo. I haven’t seen you in a long, long time. Welcome back.”

“Thanks, Luke. It’s good to see you, too.”

Tia is grinning from ear to ear as she steps onto the plane and her eyes roam over the sheer luxury of it.

“But it looks like a living room,” she murmurs.

“What did you expect it to look like?” I chuckle.

“Maybe with rows of seats or something. This looks like a five-star hotel, but one that can fly.”

“Come on, we’ll get comfortable and order some champagne to celebrate your first time flying.”

She nods, suddenly looking tense.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, pulling her into a seat next to me.

She giggles and scrunches her nose. “I’m nervous,” she admits.

I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her close to my side.

“Firstly, you’re with me, and I’ll keep you safe no matter what. Secondly, a glass of champagne, or two, will take the edge off. A lot of people get nervous flying, even after they’ve done it a thousand times. It’s okay to be nervous.”

The hostess pours our champagne, and I crack up laughing when Tia doesn’t even wait for a toast—she just downs the glass.

The hostess looks from me to Tia.

“She’ll have another glass. Thanks,” I say with a grin.

The second glass she enjoys with me, and by the end of it, just as the plane is rolling onto the runway, she’s a little more relaxed.

But she still reaches out and clutches my hand tightly during takeoff.

Once we’re in the air, she’s practically glued to the window.

“It’s so beautiful,” she says, peering out of it. “We’re above the clouds.”

***

I doze off during the flight and wake up to Tia poking me in the ribs. Her grin is immediately infectious. “We’re here,” she squeals, then moves towards the window again. “Look, the ocean is so blue.”