Page 80 of Try Me

Dirty Distractions

Pearl

The helicopter looked even smallerand flimsier than Pearl remembered it. Her skin crawled as she thought of sitting inside it and lifting off the ground.

“Is it safe to fly in this rain?”

The rain hadn’t let up. The smell of wet leaves, thick mud, and briny salt filled the air.

“It’s all clear once we get out to sea,” Nate said. “Ride next to me. I have a few things to tell you.”

Pearl clutched Declan’s hand. She would rather ride with him. He’d been so sweet on the way here.

“It’s okay,” he said, squeezing her fingers. “Maybe he’ll distract you.”

Pearl let Declan help her into the helicopter, and Nate climbed in beside her. Declan took the front seat next to the pilot. Putting on the headset, Pearl closed her eyes as the pilot started up the engine. She clenched her fists as fear made sweat bead on her skin. Her eyes flashed up to Declan in the front seat and she found that he was watching her with a concerned frown. Just knowing that he was there made her feel better.

Then McKenna began to talk, and as his voice blocked out the sounds of the helicopter.

Her stomach plummeted as the helicopter skipped over a cloud and tilted to the right. Her fingernails dug into her palms as they skidded back to the left and then leveled out.

“You got a little sidetracked in the woods, didn’t you?” Nate asked.

Pearl stared at the back of Declan’s head, not answering. Her heart was beating out of her chest, and a sweat broke out on the back of her neck.

“Bishop always swears he never lays a hand on the women I hire,” Nate said with a laugh. “Now I know better.”

Pearl tore her eyes from Declan’s hair and looked at Nate. “That’s not how it happened,” she spat. She’d been the one to seduce Declan. Nate had no idea what he was talking about.

“He and Claudia got pretty close in California,” Nate said with a knowing smirk. “But I try to stay out of it. I don’t care who he fucks in private as long as he shows up with the right woman at parties.”

A wave of anger swept through Pearl, leaving her trembling.

“You don’t think I’m the right woman?” she asked. Her hands shook as she clutched them in her lap to keep him from seeing.

“I have other plans for you,” Nate promised, giving her a look that made her blood run cold. “And for him. You understand that it’s imperative you break up tonight, right?”

Pearl was about to answer when the helicopter made a sweeping turn, and her stomach plunged to her feet. Pearl gasped, her eyes automatically seeking Declan. As if on cue, he turned around in his seat to look at her. His mouth moved, and Pearl read his lips.

Are you okay?

Pearl shook her head no. She was so panicked she could barely breathe. Nate’s conversation was making everything worse. Pearl’s stomach flipped as the helicopter seemed to plummet. Her fingernails pressed hard enough into her palms to pierce the flesh.

Declan tapped Nate on the knee and gestured for him to hand over the headset. Shooting Pearl a smile, Declan fit the headpiece over his hair. A moment later, his voice sounded in her ears.

“Hey,” he said.

Pearl’s heart dropped back down to her chest, where it was supposed to be at the sound of Declan’s voice. She took a deep breath and felt her blood heat as his eyes devoured her.

“You’re doing great,” he said.

She shook her head. “Not really.”

“I’m going to turn around now, but I’ll keep talking, okay?”

“Okay.”

Declan faced forward. “Close your eyes,” he told her.

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