Page 18 of Possess Me

“Now you have me more than curious. Why would an absolutely beautiful woman who is highly intelligent and certainly an amazing pilot have any dangerous secrets?”

“As you said. We’re all hiding something.”

He took a deep breath, tapping his finger on the steering wheel. “A challenge. Something I very much enjoy. Just beware. I’m an expert at unraveling riddles.”

Why he had some feigned interest in me was beyond my comprehension or care at this point. He had no idea, nor would he discover my life was a mixed box of rocks. At this point, I simply wanted to hurl them toward anyone who dared invade my privacy or tried to make my life any more difficult than it was.

Even if sitting so close created a wave of heat, a tickle of pure, raw electricity.

I didn’t know Saba Island. I’d only been to St. Martin many years before, but what I did know about the island was that one side had been nearly decimated by a hurricane, locals struggling just to get by. Still, whatever his interest was in the island shouldn’t concern me in the least. It wasn’t my business to inquire or care.

But I had to admit a man who’d pay as much as he had for someone to fly him to an island destination either had a criminal background or was simply too awash in wealth for his own good. Maybe I’d stay in my tiny room for the two days, venturing out in the dark.

I almost laughed at the image of slinking around at whatever hotel I’d be staying at.

He pulled into a parking lot surrounded by lush, tropical trees and vivid foliage. From where I sat, the building in front was colorful like so many were in the Caribbean. Hues of pink and turquoise created a vibrant, easygoing atmosphere. Yet the location certainly couldn’t be a five-star establishment, which was what I would expect someone like Mr. Dmitriyev would demand.

I had an intense desire to learn more about him.

From the internet in the privacy behind a closed and locked door.

He pulled into a space, immediately cutting off the engine.

“This where I’ll be staying?” I asked, guessing the answer while being surprised.

“Of course. Did you think I’d require you to be housed in some cheap motel for the trip?” His laugh was deep and husky. “You don’t know anything about me or my family. Do you?”

“Not a thing, but I don’t need to.” I opened the door, climbing out and studying the surrounding area. I could hear the roar of the ocean, the scent of salt spray already relaxing.

He chuckled almost in a knowing manner.

After getting out and scanning the area, he grabbed our bags, refusing to allow me to carry my own as we headed into the hotel and toward the reception desk.

Vissarian immediately moved to the polished high standing reception desk, pulling out his wallet. “Vissarian Dmitriyev checking in.”

“Oh, Mr. Dmitriyev. Yes. We were expecting you. I see you have a companion today.” The young girl smiled, although I could almost detect a hint of jealousy in her eyes. Was Vissarian some big catch? Evidently so. Everyone he came into contact with seemed to bow to him. I found that fascinating since everyone Luis and Antonio had encountered had slunk away in fear.

“We’re not together,” I interjected immediately.

He laughed. “This is my pilot, Fallon Zimmerman. There was a change at the last moment. She will be staying in the cottage held for Jeffrey Collins.”

“Of course. Not a problem. I’ll just need to see some identification.”

Cottage? “Um, just a room is fine. Somewhere away from the crowd.” I hunkered down, fumbling as I tried to unfasten mysuitcase. I’d had fifteen minutes to fly to my apartment, dump the clothes I’d brought, and try to find anything decent for the trip. Being away for two weeks had left me feeling disjointed.

“Nonsense, Fallon. You will be staying in a cottage,” he said as if his words were sent from God.

His attitude shouldn’t annoy me, but it did. A part of him reminded me of the life I’d ignored, even though I’d warned my mother about getting involved with the man she’d fallen head over heels in love with. Luis Esposito had certainly been charming, literally sweeping my mother off her feet after returning to the same diner where she’d worked three times in less than a week.

The whirlwind romance had turned into a spur of the moment wedding and suddenly, we’d become a family. I hadn’t gotten to meet either Luis or Antonio until the wedding. I’d been so young, but an old soul by then, seeing right through the gifts and the big house we’d been moved into.

My mother hadn’t been required to work. Correction, she hadn’t been allowed, all her creature comforts taken care of, but the honeymoon phase hadn’t lasted long before things had gotten weird.

Strange people in the house.

Blood appearing on his clothes in the wash.

Years passed and I’d entered the military soon after high school graduation, determined to see the world.