Page 114 of Blind Prophet

What is his deal? We went on two dates, and one of those was in a coffee shop. He gestures, and it hits me. He’s not riding up front.

I slide across the bench seat, buckle my seat belt, and whip out my work phone. Dorian remains at the gate. One of his security men stands by his side now, but they don’t appear to be talking. As we drive away, I twist in my seat and watch him standing there, watching us drive away.

“So, you’re back with him?” Luke asks.

Direct. I’ll give him that.

“It’s complicated.” That hasn’t changed.

“Explain.”

I look to the front of the vehicle. The driver has earpods in his ears, which means nothing. He could use them as hearing aids.

“Is he moving to California?” Luke asks.

I scope Luke from head to bent knee, evaluating my colleague. We aren’t in the relationship space where his questions are remotely warranted.

“Are you moving to Colorado?”

With a fast flick, my phone comes to life. “Like I said, it’s complicated.” With a pointed look, I add, “And personal.”

I can feel his accusatory gaze while I peruse headlines. I set the phone down on my thigh. I should’ve known better than to date a colleague.Damn, Stella.“You’re looking at me like you are an injured party.”

With that comment, his scowl breaks, and he shifts in his seat. “I get it,” he says, voice lower than mine, presumably so the driver doesn’t hear. “We weren’t an item. It was casual. But I don’t feel you’ve been honest with me. It’s a sore spot.”

During dinner, he shared that his ex cheated. My actions played into his insecurities. I grit my teeth in frustration. I should’ve never agreed to a date.

“I’m sorry.” Dammit. This is on me. “Yes, you’re correct. There’s still something between Dorian and me. It’s quite possible there always will be. We were married. I don’t know what will happen, but yes, we’ve agreed to see each other and see where things go.”

My head swirls with the admission, and I press back against the headrest, settling the dizzy sensation. When I flew here, I came to clear Dorian’s name, and I held the expectation it might be the last time we were in the same space. Three days later, I haven’t cleared his name, but I’ve alleviated some suspicion, and I’ve agreed to date him.

We ride in silence for the duration of the trip to the airport. I’m tempted to send a personal text to Sophia, but I refrain. Luke is sitting too close, and it’s too likely he’d read the screen.

So instead, I fill the time reading through project updates. China, Russia, and North Korea all deny involvement. Privately, they’ve each offered to assist in the investigation. Publicly, leaders from each country have stated the United States is falsely casting blame and disseminating false information.

It’s the perfect subterfuge and the expected play. Time and again, we have possessed irrefutable proof of their attempts at infiltration and hacks, and they’ve always denied culpability.

This idea that it’s one or two people orchestrating it all is a wild card. It doesn’t make sense.

The SUV pulls up to a small private airport.

“What’s this?” I ask.

“We’re flying back on a private plane. Seems we’ve hit the big leagues,” Luke answers, sounding slightly less disgruntled.

The awaiting jet is small, and Telluride isn’t my favorite place to fly in and out of. Personally, I’d prefer Denver, especially after the helicopter incident, but no one asked me.

Luke retrieves my luggage and a black duffel. He takes both items and charges up the steps to the aircraft. A uniformed pilot smiles. He’s an older man with thin white hair and kind eyes. I’d bet he’s semi-retired, and flying these private planes is as much a hobby as a job.

“Welcome. Do you have any special needs?”

“No, I don’t. How’s the weather?” I haven’t checked, although if I’d known about the small plane plan, I would’ve studied it closely.

“Should be smooth flying all the way to Santa Barbara,” he answers. “Ah, here’s Sheryl.”

A woman speed-walking along the tarmac in a tight navy skirt and matching crewneck sweater approaches.

“We pulled this together on short notice,” he explains. “Not a problem at all, of course. Happy to do it. If you need anything during the flight, anything at all, you let Sheryl know. It’s a well-stocked plane. Chances are, she can meet your needs.”

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