“What is your problem?” I ask him.
“My problem is that I have been stuck on babysitting duty for a spoiled child and that’s not in my job description.”
“I’m not a child,” I reply, sitting up straighter. “I just turned eighteen.”
He looks at me with one eyebrow raised and doesn’t say anything.
“I’m not spoiled!” I exclaim, suddenly remembering what he said in that same sentence.
“You are a spoiled little rich brat who has grown up with a silver spoon in her mouth,” he says as he leans over his seat, glaring at me.
I’m so angry I could scream right now but that would just prove his point. Instead, I choose to channel my cousin and speak as poised and eloquent as I can muster.
“You’re probably right. I’m very spoiled. I’ve been locked away on an estate all my life. I’ve never been allowed to leave. I have zero friends because I’m not allowed to go and hang out with anyone. I’ve spent most of my life completely alone, but I guess the food is good.” I pause for dramatic effect and watch as his face pales a little bit. “Oh yeah, and did I mention I’m being shipped off to a different country to marry into some family that will probably enjoy making my life a living hell? Hopefully the food is good there too, though. Am I right?” I say as I stare back at him, my face completely devoid of emotion.
Inside, I’m dying though as my brain registers exactly what I just said out loud. Somehow that just made it all seem so much more real. And the reality of this situation is terrifying. Andre can’t save me. He won’t be there to help me. No one will.
He has the nerve to look ashamed but I’m too caught up in my head to celebrate that fact. I’m all alone and completely on my own. The overhead lights dim and the attendant leans over a few rows to close the windows. I snap mine shut beforeshe can reach me and scowl as I look at the array of buttons next to my seat. A private jet for my send off is fitting I guess, since I may never see the outside world again once I’m dropped off.
After a few minutes, I finally figure out how to lean the chair back. I grab a book out of my bag, one of four I snagged before I was snatched from my home. It’s a reverse harem with three guys who are completely devoted to the main girl. It doesn’t start out that way of course but they never really do. I’ve read this one three times already and I could read it ten more. There’s something about a guy who would do anything to protect the girl he loves. Or three guys, in this book’s case. I wouldn’t ever actually want three…I don’t think. No, definitely not. But one really great one would be amazing. The sexy Casanova type who would sweep me off my feet and ravish me all night. I internally swoon as I imagine my future husband is actually some sexy rockstar with abs for days. Maybe he would dedicate his songs to me and shout his love for me to the world.
The plane jerks again causing me to stiffen and whimper. This time the guard doesn’t even look in my direction.
‘Let’s hope my future husband won’t look my direction either,’ I think to myself as I flip my book open, prepared to get lost between the pages.
Chapter Two
Liana
Aloud sound and harsh bumping has me shooting up and my eyes opening wide. Grogginess tells me I must have fallen asleep finally. I feel my weight being pulled as the plane comes to a stop and I grip my arm rest tightly. It’s not until it’s at a complete stand-still that I finally let out the breath I've been holding. If I never have to step on a plane again, I’ll be the happiest girl alive. I rub my eyes, attempting to wake myself up, before unbuckling my seatbelt and standing up to stretch.
“Let’s go,” my uncle’s guard says as he hauls my suitcase away and I’m left scrambling after him.
“Do you know where we are heading?”
“We are here,” he responds.
“I know we are here,” I say, rolling my eyes. “I meant do you know where in Arizona we are heading?”
“We are not heading anywhere,” he says as he finally stops at the bottom of the stairway and turns to look upat me while I descend. “You are heading to your new home and I am heading back to Italy.”
He drops my suitcase to the ground before pushing past me and heading back up the staircase. It’s only then that I realize how hot it is. Or am I just nervous? I feel like I’m boiling right now.
‘Is he really leaving me out here? I mean it’s not dark, but I am alone.’
“Wait! Where are you going? You can’t just leave me out here all alone! I could be kidnapped or murdered…or worse! Haven’t you ever watched a scary movie?” I stamp my foot, fully aware of how childish I must look, but I don’t even care.
He sighs loudly and turns around before gesturing over my shoulder. Slowly, I turn around, scanning the desert landscape, before my eyes land on two men, not twenty feet from us. They are both leaning against a sleek black SUV, looking thoroughly unamused. I can feel my face turning a deep shade of red as I scan both men who happen to not look like the ugly old cowboy I’m set to marry. Both men are in blue jeans and crisp t-shirts, not the normal attire I would expect a cartel boss’s henchmen to be wearing.
‘Shouldn’t they look more formal?’I think as I scan each of them.
“If you would pay attention to anything other than yourself every once in a while, you would actually see the things surrounding you,” my uncle’s guard states from behind me. I can practically hear the scowl I’m sure is plastered to his face right now. “Ciao.”
I hear the sound of a thud and look down to see my backpack I accidentally left in the plane, on the ground. The contents in it have fallen halfway out and my poor book is open against the asphalt. I lean down to pick it up, only to realize the pages are now bent.
‘What a jerk,’ I think as I glare up at him, preparing togive him a mouthful but my thoughts are interrupted by the smooth sound of a male voice.
“We don’t have all day.”
