I gritted my teeth as each small imperfection in the runway jarred through the wheels, up the structure of the plane, and into my ribs. The seat’s belt dug into the pressure bandage I’d applied.
Allie stared out the window at the city we escaped. “I hope Ellie makes her flight.”
“Is your sister impaired?” The pain made me less than eloquent.
Allie huffed out a laugh. “No, I just worry is all.”
Ah. I knew that temptation. Without me, Ringo would be lost. Good.
And right as the wheels lifted into the air, an especially hard jolt raked the bandage across my wound and I wished him all the ill travels possible. Then the acceleration pressed me back against the seat, and I had to forget about anything but trying not to voice the pain out loud. I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth to bear it.
Once the jet leveled off, Allie disappeared into the back. She reemerged dressed in a pale honey-colored cotton T-shirt and lightweight dark pants that hugged her subtle curves. Her hair was still up, but in a sedate ponytail rather than the half-fallen updo the planner had created. This was the real woman peeking out. She was pleasing to the eye. Allie had long legs, a narrow waist, and an athletic build.
The wedding dress she wore earlier gave the illusion she was much more well-endowed on top than the reality.
But I liked the real her much better than fantasy.
She wasn’t wearing a bra.
I tried not to stare.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
I’d kept our copy of the paperwork we signed at the wedding center. In plain language, we’d been duped by the Justice of the Peace. He’d made it sound like we were signing the venue contract for the limousine service. In reality, it was a marriage license…a very legal marriage license.
I couldn’t marry Dianora now. With that mistake, I was destined to die much sooner than I planned.
Somehow, that didn’t register emotionally. Yes, of course I was disappointed I no longer had an easy option to stay alive, but unlike most, I thrived when challenged. This was more than that, however. It was a battle for my life. Anticipation would be closer to an accurate way to describe what I was feeling. I had a challenge and a beautiful wife. One who presented as amenable, kind…soft.
Those thoughts weren’t appropriate. Perhaps I was tired. It was well after midnight. Flying eastward, we’d cross…was it six or seven time zones? My brain was foggy with pain.
“I must be tired.”
Allie heard my complaint and leaned across the aisle. She placed a hand on mine. “Are you okay?”
No. My wound throbbed, was warm, and the blood loss was making me weak. The plans I’d made to survive were in tatters. And my best friend not only stabbed me, but watched me flush my life down the toilet by marrying the wrong woman, and he didn’t say one word.
Wait. He did speak. He dared me to sabotage myself. Idiot. He’d signed his own death warrant, too. Unless he succeeded in killing me.
Instead of answering her, I handed the paper to Allie. “Read this, please?”
Her brows furrowed for a moment, but she took the page from my hand. Her hands were narrowly delicate in build, but not pampered. I longed to trace my fingers down the length of each finger to discover their nuances.
She read in silence for all of a minute. Then, returned her attention to the top of the page where it clearly stated the intent of the contract.
“This can’t be right.”
Nothing had gone correctly in a week. At this point, I was immune to the shock. Allie, however was not.
“We’re married?”
“Say it louder so the staff can hear your disgust.” I shot her a warning with my eyes. But the staff were already whispering.
A range of emotions flickered across her face. Defiance, anger, fright, and then something cautious settled into the line of her tight lips.
“We can get it annulled,” she said softly.
We could. But I’d had at least ten minutes or more to create contingency plans. And once those took shape, I figured I could use this complication to my advantage. “We could. If we were in Las Vegas. Here, we can’t. And when we land it will not be easy.”
