Page 14 of Possess Me

Things had changed since I’d been in the military and not for the better. I’d tried to blend in after returning from serving my country, living my life in a city I’d grown to love, yet neither Chicago nor Miami had really ever been my home. A small town in Colorado held that claim.

While my memories of my real father had started to fade, I did remember being happy.

Jeffrey had been a nice distraction, his layover in Chicago creating the chain of events.

My instant crush with another pilot had fizzled out in a flash. At least we’d remained friends hence the reason I was now fawning over a man who was way out of my league. Doing so allowed the first smile since receiving the call in the middle of the night from a Chicago detective.

Now that seemed like a lifetime ago.

Pining away for the sexy Russian wasn’t my typical behavior, but my emotions were all over the place and I’d needed grounding.

I could thankfully stop looking over my shoulder for a couple of days and maybe I’d get some rest. I touched my face for a second time, praying to God the twenty-four-hour makeup was doing its job.

A nod to a girlfriend of mine who’d swooped in to tell me which makeup to purchase. Her modeling days had come in handy.

The ache in my face remained, a reminder I was on precarious grounds, uncertain of my stepbrother’s intent. I knew I hadn’t seen or heard the last from him, but maybe the next time, I’d be more prepared. How, I’d yet to determine. Staying in Chicago wasn’t an option. I was beginning to wonder if I should leave Miami as well. Great. More running.

Maybe I could head back to Colorado even without knowing anyone there.

I shoved the ugly thoughts aside. At least a couple of days being a thousand miles away would allow me time to clear my head.

Hopefully.

Plus, Antonio couldn’t find me on a tropical island. Jeffrey wouldn’t say a goddamn thing about who I was. He knew how dangerous Antonio was. He’d listened to me for years. Hell, he’d known something was wrong the moment we’d met in the bar in Chicago. Maybe that’s why I’d fallen for him because he’d beenso sympathetic. I should remind myself how that had worked out.

I tilted my head, catching sight of Mr. Dmitriyev. Wow was the appropriate word. Even lounging in one of the leather chairs, casually holding a drink in his hand, he appeared enticing.

“We’re coming in for a landing, sir,” I told him after I’d been given the okay from the control tower to land. The airport on Saba Island was small, the runway extremely short, but given my background, it was nothing I couldn’t handle. I’d landed on dirt paths between groves of trees.

Mr. Dmitriyev said nothing, but I could still feel the weight of his eyes on me as I’d experienced almost the entire trip. I knew men like him.

Arrogant.

Opinionated.

Far too sexy for their own good and they knew it.

That didn’t mean I hadn’t found him extremely attractive, but right now, just thinking about a powerful man was frustrating.

He was also handsome, but the kind that you didn’t find on a store rack.

Of course I shouldn’t hold that against him and he’d said very little to provide evidence of his arrogance. Maybe I’d become jaded from people like Antonio and the rich assholes I’d encountered when accepting the few private gigs. They’d made it clear that I was nothing but property.

That didn’t sit well with my personality.

I was zigging and zagging all over the place. It would be best to hover in whatever tiny motel room I’d be offered. I’d brought enough material for entertainment purposes for two days. All I’d need would be a bottle of wine and I’d be good to go.

Mr. Dmitriyev had handled business on his phone and laptop, but every few minutes, I’d felt the rush of fire tearingthrough me. What few words he’d spoken had sent tingles through me from his light accent alone, but his deep voice penetrated a portion of my body in a way that was impossible to ignore.

I was doing Jeffrey a favor, the poor guy. He’d acted as if he could still continue with the damn flight. Thank God, he’d allowed me to call an ambulance, but not before begging me to take his job.

I’d almost laughed, but he was in a bind. So was the way of private pilots who worked exclusively for rich and powerful people. I knew nothing about who I was working for, the few words Jeffrey had gritted out in pain only giving me the basics.

Rich and dangerous.

Perfect.

Not what I needed in my life right now.