Page 9 of Unchained
“And if I’d gone out the front?”
“Then, you would probably be dead.” She pulled a cigarette from her purse and placed it between her lips. Damn, her sex appeal was fucking luring me in like a fish on a hook. “What’s waiting for us in Key West?”
“I have work to do, and you get to live off my compassion for my fellow man.”
I held up a hand. “I don’t live off anyone. When we get there, I’ll get a hotel on my own, and you can go do what you want. I’m sure I can find a flight back to Miami.”
“And fly back into the arms of whoever the hell Stevie Streeter has out looking for you?” She laughed. “You need me far more than I need you. You can stay at my place. Go out this evening and enjoy the darker side of the Keys. I have some friends who would love to show you around. We can reconnect later. ”
We rolled into the small private airport around 10 and boarded Veronica’s private jet. The pilot closed the door, entered the pilot’s cabin and closed the door, leaving Veronica and me alone in the back.
“Nice,” I said. I sat in a leather chair, facing Veronica, who sat in a similar chair. She poured two glasses of wine and handed me the glass most full. She crossed her legs, and I thought about fucking her once we were in the air. “You got a joint in that box as well?”
She opened the box on the small table next to her and retrieved a tiny vial.
“Coke?”
She moved the table so it sat between us. “You look surprised.”
I shook my head. “I’m not surprised you have it. Just surprised you are blatantly bringing it out like this.”
“Because you might tell on me?” She removed her sunglasses from her head. “I always know with whom I am with, Mister O’Neil. You have more skeletons in your closet than I do.”
“That’s because you keep everyone away.”
“It’s because I’m smart about my private life.”
“Where did you grow up?” I asked. I’d racked my brain all night. I knew of Veronica Sims like everyone else did. But it stopped there.
“My parents were immigrants from Norway. I spent most of my childhood in Oslo.”
“It was total bullshit, but I didn’t think it was the time to call her out. I wanted to know her game.
The plane headed down the runway, and moments later, we were airborne and on our way to Key West. The last ten to twelve hours had left my head spinning. I’d gone from hunting to being the hunted.
“If there’s something you need to know just ask, Deacon. I read people every day. I generally know what they are thinking.
“You have a significant other?”
“No, it would only interfere with the things I enjoy doing in life.”
“Your cosmetic business.”
“Not necessarily.”
“You’re both elusive and like speaking in parables,” I said. I took a long sip of wine and watched her snort a line of coke. Shit was spinning out of control fast. She wiped her nose and then drank from her glass. My cock was throbbing with need.
“Your turn.”
“I don’t think so.”
“I do,” she said. She moved the table to the side and leaned close, her lips hovering inches from mine. “If you are going to join my party, then you need to take part in my party. Otherwise, jump your ass out of my plane.”
I sat back and stared. “So, that’s the way this is going to go down?”
“Exactly how it’s going to go down. If you can’t handle the heat, get the fuck out of the kitchen.” She pointed at the coke. “That’s expensive shit, don’t waste it.”
I considered myself a gentleman, but I was finding it hard to remain so with her attitude. I moved the table back in front of me and snorted the line of coke, the rush almost exploding my brain. “Happy?”
