Page 16 of West Bound

“She’s surprisingly resourceful.” My eyes linger on her face for too long before I meet Rowan’s again, and I see a flash of disapproval.

“Father’s daughter, I imagine.” Rowan’s eyes flick over her in a quick assessment and dismissal, and then he nods for me to climb the stairs first.

I pull her closer to me, making sure she doesn’t get inadvertently bumped or bruised on the way up the narrow staircase. I glance up as a plane thunders overhead when it takes its ascent. It'll be us soon. A few more steps and we’re inside—safely ensconced from the weather and from the questioning of the German police. The relief lets the adrenaline surging through my body slow to a dull roar. The flight attendant doesn’t say a word about the fact that I’m carrying an unconscious woman who’s bound in the same macramé-style cords she used on me. I deposit her in one of the plush private seats and buckle her in.

“How quickly can we take off?” I look between Rowan and the flight attendant, hoping for a positive answer. I forget her name, even though we’ve been introduced before. She was pleasant enough but all business, just like Charlotte. I imagine she was handpicked for that purpose.

“Now?” Rowan gives her a questioning look, and she nods.

“I’ll let the pilot know you’re ready. If you’ll be seated, please.” She motions to both of us.

“Thank you.” I look at Rowan as we buckle in. “I know you had other plans for the evening.”

“Nothing as important as this.”

“I hope Charlotte’s not furious.”

Speaking of the devil, I’d rather not be on her bad side. Upsetting any of her business plans or one of her men is the fastest way to get there. He smirks and glances out the window as the pilot turns our overhead lights low.

“She can be fun when she’s angry.” It’s the only answer I get. At least one of us is excited about it. I’d have her and my brother to deal with when I get back.

“Well, maybe she can have a talk with our new friend. Because she takes the fun a little too far when she’s pissed,” I grumble as the seatbelt brushes over the burn.

“She get you?” He looks at me with concern.

“Burned me.” I move the seatbelt aside and lift my shirt to expose the fresh wound. “With one of those things they sprinkle holy water with.”

Rowan inspects it, tilting his head and pressing his lips together like he’s impressed by her handiwork. If he told me he's done the same once, I wouldn’t be surprised.

“Nice pattern at least. Might scar well.”

I level him with a deadpan look, and he lets out a low chuckle.

“Just trying to find a silver lining.” His brow lifts. “She get your lip too?” He motions to his own, and I mimic it, brushing the pads of my fingers over the spot where she sunk her teeth in. It’s still tender.

“She bit me.” Probably because I was kissing her right after I poisoned her, but I can leave that tidbit of information out of our discussion. I still don’t know why the fuck I did it.

“Burning and biting? Quite the vicious little thing, isn’t she?” Rowan’s wildly amused now.

“Something like that.” My mind’s drifting to the way she looked at me when she told me she hated me. I knew it was coming, and it still cut deeper than expected.

“There’s a first aid kit in the back. Once we’re at altitude, you can use it to get cleaned up. There’s a shower too if you need it.” He looks me over thoughtfully, scrutinizing my appearance and my mood. I have to be careful around him. He reads everything, every movement, every inflection.

“As long as I can get these wounds treated, it’ll be fine,” I mumble, tucking my shirt gently back into place. Hopefully, I can avoid an infection.

“She useful, you think?” He looks at the redhead sitting behind me.

“She definitely has information. I grabbed her burner phone on the way out.” I pull it out from my pocket and hold it up for his review.

“Not the regular one?” He frowns.

“No. It’s at the bottom of the lake. Right along with mine. That’s why I contacted you on the other line I had.” I sigh and shove it back into my pocket. I can’t win tonight, and I’m too tired to defend myself.

“I see. Any particular reason for that?” Rowan’s face is a mix of emotions he’s trying to suppress.

“She fell in. I jumped after her.”

“Do I want to ask?” Rowan shifts in his seat and loses his battle with the growing smirk. At least he’s momentarily distracted from his suspicion.