When we stepped into the cabin of the private jet, it became blatantly obvious that this was indeed a business trip. Konstantin, Luka, and Emzee were all waiting for us.
“Tori, you came!” Emzee squealed, jumping up to greet me with a hug.
She immediately pulled me to the back of the plane where she could update me on everything that had happened since I last saw her. Even if this was a work weekend, at least I’d get to spend some time with her. I liked Emzee a lot. She was funny and friendly and could go on and on for hours talking passionately about her photography. We chatted while the crew readied the plane, but then she was called up to the front by Luka, who gave me a long, leering smile.
I turned away without smiling back, still disturbed by the way he’d cornered me in the condo and basically asked me to sit on his dick. I knew he was young and used to getting his way with women, but even if he’d been drunk, it was completely unacceptable. I was his brother’s wife. But in a way, I was grateful—because his actions were what had led to me and Stefan finally consummating our marriage. I could only hope that Luka would give up the drinking.
We took off and I curled up on the couch, watching Chicago out the window as it got smaller and smaller below us. Luka and Emzee had settled into their own seats on opposite ends of the plane, with Luka scrolling through Instagram on his phone and Emzee flipping through a folder of recent photos she had taken. Overall, it was shaping up to be a mellow two-hour flight.
Up toward the front, Stefan and Konstantin were talking, their heads close together, hands gesturing emphatically. They were discussing KZM business, no doubt. I had smiled at Konstantin when we got on the plane, but tried my best not to make eye contact. He still made me uneasy in his presence, and the less time I spent with him, the better.
I watched their conversation from the back of the plane. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but judging by the hand gestures and the look on Stefan’s face, it didn’t seem like a very friendly conversation. It looked like they were arguing.
Finally, Konstantin pointed his finger directly into Stefan’s chest.
My pulse kicked. I had no idea what Stefan would do. I could see a muscle in his jaw tense, and his own hand curl into a fist, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he just stared at his father and gave a nod. Then he got up and came to the back of the plane.
I half expected him to take a seat behind Emzee or Luka, but instead he sat down next to me on the couch. It was obvious he was angry about whatever he’d just discussed with his father.
“Is everything okay?” I asked gently.
Stefan didn’t look at me, just straight ahead at the back of his father’s head.
“It’s fine,” he said flatly. “Just business stuff.”
It had to be more than just that, but I didn’t press him. I had a feeling he wanted to stew with his thoughts for a bit, so I figured the best thing I could do was keep quiet and let him.
“Psst! Tori,” Emzee was hissing at me. “Girl talk!”
I looked up and she motioned me toward the empty seat next to her. With a grin, I got up and moved to sit beside her. I was sure Stefan would appreciate the space.
“Let’s lean our chairs all the way back,” she said with a grin.
We did, reclining almost fully flat. Then Emzee shook out a blanket and covered us with it. In the semi-dark, it was almost like we were in a tent. Emzee’s grey eyes sparkled with mischief.
“I feel like we’re having a sleepover,” I told her.
She laughed. “Exactly! So now we have to tell each other secrets.”
“What kind of secrets?” I asked.
“I’ll go easy on you,” Emzee said. “You can tell me anything you’re comfortable with.”
I thought about it for a moment, but it didn’t take long to come up with something.
“I’m not sure if this counts,” I whispered, “but I used my fake ID to get into a strip club last night.”
Emzee gasped, grabbing my hands. “You bad girl! I’m impressed. You seemed better behaved than that, but it turns out you’re a wild woman. Just like me.”
I laughed. “It wasn’t that exciting—your brother found me and took my ID and dragged me out before I saw even one oily buff guy in a thong.”
We both giggled, Emzee kicking her feet a little with glee.
“Now you,” I said. “Tell me something good. Anything I don’t know about you.”
“I’ve got something even better,” she whispered. “About my brother. If you’re interested.”
I lowered my voice. “Tell me.”
