Page 29 of Hide Little Traitor

The pilot looks like he’s about to argue but must see the same monster I’ve noticed in him and snaps his mouth shut with a quick nod.

Ryker takes what has become his usual seat, and I drop into mine across the aisle. Close enough that we can talk but not close enough that our breathing is going to annoy one another.

I really fucking dislike this guy, and not just because I’ve watched him fuck my girl.

He brushes his tattooed fingers over his jaw while his other hand toys absentmindedly with his ripped jeans.

“Some of your father’s men have evidence you and Chloe weren’t taken by Ralph, and there is speculation that Damon is involved.”

“Fuck.”

This is all my fault.

Everything that has transpired over the last two weeks could have been avoided if my jealousy hadn’t flared at seeing Chloe with Ryker.

Damon wouldn’t have been able to get her without my help, and he would have had an even harder time if I’d actively blocked him the way I should have.

Everything is falling apart all because I couldn’t accept that the woman I once loved could love someone else.

I drop my head into my hands as my chest tightens to the point of pain.

Damon’s worked his entire life to take over the Lombardi family. He’s sacrificed everything to make it a reality, and now it’s going to be torn from him because of me.

“If anyone should be having a pity party right now, it’s me for being stuck with two assholes I can’t stand.”

I open my mouth to snap back at him but instead turn to face the window.

I just hope we’re not too late.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHLOE

NOW

Contrary to what I expected, Kingston’s been giving me space to process, but I feel his eyes on me everywhere I go in the house.

I haven’t found them yet, but I suspect there are cameras in every room, something I’ve been very conscious of while changing in the room I woke up in.

In addition to the rooms that were clearly decorated with me in mind, I’ve also discovered a closet full of clothes in my size and a library full of my favorite books.

If it weren’t for the fact that King kidnapped me and was refusing to let me speak to anyone other than him, I’d find it sweet how thoughtful he’d been while creating what he expected to be our home.

But alas, he’s taken all my choices away, and once again I’m being held against my will.

If the regular meals that appear in the kitchen and the fact that the house is always spotless are anything to go by, there’s staff around here somewhere, but I’m yet to see them.

Whether that’s a coincidence or not remains to be seen, but I doubt it is.

Everything Kingston does has a purpose.

I just wish I understood what he gets out of forcing me to marry him.

There has to be something in it for him, because otherwise this pretty life he’s offering makes no sense, and that’s what has kept me up for the last few nights.

Along with the loneliness.

I thought I knew what it meant to be lonely. I’ve spent the last decade effectively on my own, but this is different.