"I don't think that's a great idea." I tell him.
"What's not a great idea?" He asks, arching a brow. Probably wondering what the fuck I'm talking about since we had gone over everything.
"I just mean, we should have my company reserve a non-descript private. Keep it under the radar."
Cliff thinks about it for just a moment, then he nods. "Okay. Then you'll take care of it."
"I will." Turning toward Elsie, I explain further, "I need to make a call before we leave. Then I'll escort you to a hotel."
"Cliff, can you have Jade pack me a bag? Please." She says, looking toward him, ignoring me completely.
This woman is like whiplash, but it's for the best. I need to keep my head on straight and keep myself disconnected from the situation. Instead of waiting, I just leave them behind, walking out into the hallway.
I dial my business partner to see if we can secure that plane.
"Meyers."
"It's Matt. I need to get a private plane."
"Got it. When?"
"Tomorrow."
He lets out a long whistle. "That might be tough, but I'll make it happen."
"Thanks."
Hanging up my phone, I look back into the hospital room. The nurse is talking to Elsie, hopefully letting us get out of here.
An image of her on her back in the hotel room flashes before my eyes. Her hair in a halo on her pillow, looking every bit of the dark angel she is. Her legs spread wide open, ready for me to dive in. I shake my head at the image. Nope, not happening.It's time for me to do my job, not picture the vulnerable woman naked.
Chapter five
Elsie
"Please buckle your seatbelts, we're about to make our descent," the pilot's voice comes through the speakers of the plane. My knuckles tighten around the arm rests.
"Are you a nervous flyer?" Matt asks, pulling my attention to him.
"Not usually. But this one feels different."
Matt doesn't say anything, he just returns to whatever he was reading on his phone beforehand. I return back to looking outside the window. In the distance, I can see what looks like a forest of pine trees that seem to go on forever.
I close my eyes, hoping that the police are able to find out whoever trashed my apartment quickly, so I can return back to my normal life. The plane hits the ground and my eyes pop open. Once we've taxied for a few moments, we come to a complete stop. But I can't seem to make myself move.
Instead, the world feels like it's shifting. Someone trashed my apartment, and seems to be stalking me, changing everything. I'm stuck in an unknown place, but also with a man who appears to hate me. Or at least doesn't want to be around me? How could everything change in one moment?
The thought of him has me looking over at him, he has his typical straight-faced look. One where I have no idea what he’s thinking. Though I’m not sure I ever knew or know what he’s thinking.
“Ready to go?” He says, startling me out of my thoughts. Oh, fuck, he just caught me staring at him.
I whip my head away from him, focusing on my hands in my lap, hoping that he doesn't see my cheeks heat with embarrassment. Am I ready to go? No. But instead of saying that, I just nod my head.
"Let's go." Matt commands before standing up, staring at me.
Part of me just wants to be a brat and challenge him. Who is he to demand something of me? But another part of me is tired, and I just want to get away from all of this and that's the part that wins this time.
Standing up, I follow him down the aisle, where the flight attendants are standing, waiting with our luggage. I go to grab mine, but I'm too slow when Matt grabs both suitcases first. We walk down the stairs to a waiting black SUV.
