Page 162 of Never Tell Secrets

“How are you, Lo?” His voice was low, seeking and searching, as if it could wrench every truth out of me.

“Fine,” I answered, but the tilt in his head told me he didn’t believe me and this plane wasn’t going anywhere until I was honest. “Tired and scared,” I admitted.

“Me too,” he said, letting me see how nervous he was. “Shall I show you around before take off?”

He turned, leading me into the plane, Elliot following close behind. I expected rows of seats like a normal plane, instead I found myself in a foyer of sorts, a set of golden doors ahead.

Alfie must have sensed my hesitation because he paused, one hand on the door handle. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I just thought it would be like a regular plane but with extra leg room.”

Alfie looked amused. “No, baby.”

He pushed the door open and I followed him, finding myself in a decadent lounge area, with two familiar pairs of eyes on me.

Maia sat in one corner, looking nothing like her usual, casual self. Instead she wore a sharp suit, her curls slicked back into atight bun. She stood when I entered, offering a sharp nod to Alfie and an almost impassive glance at me.

Before I could react to her unexpected presence, my attention was drawn to the other pair of eyes on me.

“Hello, Lola.” Angie was as beautiful as ever, chic and sleek with not a wrinkle in her silk shift dress.

“Hi, Angie.” A thick silence fell over us and I looked up to find Alfie’s ever watchful gaze on me. “It’s good to see you again,” I lied.

Angie offered me an even smile. “And you, I’m glad you’re joining us.” I guess we were both telling lies today.Her smile softened as she looked at her boss. “Alfie, I believe Sarah is eager to get going.”

Who was Sarah?

“She’s the pilot,” Alfie said, answering my unspoken question. He turned to Elliot. “Run security checks and tell Sarah I want to be in the air in fifteen.”

With a nod, Elliot disappeared to the front of the plane and Alfie ushered me towards the door to continue our tour. Maia said nothing as I passed, only dropped her gaze, a mirror of every other member of Alfie’s security team I’d ever met. It hurt.

“Really, Maia? Like we haven’t shared a fucking bathroom for the last two years?” I snapped but Maia didn’t even flinch. I heard a tittering and spun to glare at Angie.

“Sorry,” she laughed, not looking in the least bit apologetic. “You just haven’t changed a bit.”

Alfie’s hand closed around my arm and he dragged me from the room before I could retaliate. I found myself now in a stunning dining room, complete with a twelve seater table. This was just ridiculous.

“Lola—”

“What?” I glared at him, not giving a damn about the warning in his voice. “Is Maia even her name? Why is she here? And why is she acting like she doesn’t even know me?”

Alfie pushed his hands into his pockets, unfazed by my outburst. “Which question would you like me to answer first?”

“All of them. And what is Angie talking about that I haven’t changed?Shehasn’t changed. At least I got a new haircut in the last two and a half years!” I shouted, loud enough for her to hear me.

I slumped into an ornate gold chair, scowling at the tableware sporting an emblem I recognised as Versace. Years of having a fashion obsessed best friend was finally rubbing off on me it seemed.

“Your anger is justified but I don’t appreciate you lashing out. If you’re going to take your anger out on anyone, it should be me.”

I turned my scowl up at Alfie, he was really in no position to be judging anyone’s behaviour. “At least I’m not running away.”

He gave me a smile. “Maia is her real name. She’s here because you need security. I thought she would be a good fit as she already knows your moods and habits well. Plus I figured that if you’re going to face one monster,” he pointed at himself, “and Angie, and Elliot, then you might as well face Maia too. Four birds, one very big plane.”

Clever, Mr Tell. Very clever. I gave him a wry look. “Ever the master manipulator.”

He didn’t respond, but I could see my words had stung. Being a manipulator was something he was working very hard to move away from. “As for her behaviour, she’s acting like the professional she’s trained to be. What she did was under my instruction, Lola. She didn’t enjoy it.”

“She still did it,” I muttered.