Page 63 of Reckless Desires

“This plane is the only way you’ll get home,” he says. “You don’t have a passport, remember?” He pulls something out of his pocket. “Drink this.”

It’s a tiny bottle of liquid with no label. “Are you trying to drug me?!”

“Is that where you draw a line?” he challenges.

Rolling my eyes, I get myself comfortable in my seat while he sits with the couple. My ass cheeks still burn, but I’d be a liar to say I don’t love it. Izzy had given me a blanket, which I wrap myself in, trying to get comfortable. I’ve never been on a plane this small. I chug the liquid and instantly feel sleepy.

My stomach knots as the plane starts down the runway. The small plane rattles through the clouds, turbulence shaking me from my seat. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to drown out the sound of the engines and the chatter of the other passengers. But as I drift off, the world around me fades into a suffocating darkness.

Suddenly, I’m back in the cage—rusted metal bars pressing against my skin, the stench of sweat and fear hanging heavy in the air. The dim light flickers overhead. I can hear muffled voices, harsh and commanding, speaking in a language I don’t understand. Then Nico Vidalia’s face.

“No one is coming for you,” he sneers, the words dripping with malice. “You belong to us now.”

I try to scream, but no sound escapes my lips. Suddenly, the cage begins to shake, the bars bending and warping as the nightmare escalates. The air grows thick, suffocating me, and I feel myself being pulled deeper into the darkness. I fight against the invisible chains that bind me, desperation flooding my veins.

“Wake up!” I scream internally, willing myself back to reality.

With a jolt, I am back on the plane, my heart racing and sweat clinging to my skin. The seatbelt digs into me, the other passengers oblivious. I glance around and see Killian, the familiar hum of the engines grounding me, but the echoes of my nightmare linger.

Someone pops their head out from behind a curtain. “We are preparing for landing.”

Chapter Forty-Four

Killian

She is quiet, and something is off after the flight. We get off the plane, and there is Donal waiting for us.

“You made it here in that?” he questions as we approach him.

“I’m glad I survived with those two idiots.” I nod toward the couple I had to place nice with as they let us use their plane. They owed Mickey a favor, but if I knew they were chatterboxes, I would have preferred sailing back to America. I wave to the two men who head to their own ride.

“Where to now?” Donal asks, wanting to know really what we are doing with Liliana.

“Girl goes home and we go to the bar,” I reply, desperately needing a drink.

We all get into the Escalade and remain silent. Liliana has dark circles under her eyes and looks like she survived hell. I would think there would be relief when she sees the gates to her home, but I swear there’s more tension there. But she is no longer my problem.

Her mother, Thea, comes rushing out.

“Oh thank God!” She practically throws herself onto the car.

“Jesus, woman!” Donal shouts. “It’s always the attractive ones that are bat shit crazy.”

I see through the rearview mirror Liliana rolling her eyes as she opens the door, getting out of the passenger back seat. I am in the passenger front seat and roll down my window. Something about this woman feels… off.

Thea first makes a comment about Liliana’s short hair and then hugs her. Thea pulls away from the hug. “I’m so happy you’re alive! Alessio is throwing a party to celebrate your safe return.”

Liliana looks hopeless; the usual confidence seems dwindled now that she is beside her mother. Getting a closer look, Thea and Liliana have very similar features. Chocolate brown hair, brown eyes, a small beauty mark just under the left corner of their lip.

“Thank you!” Thea places her hand on my forearm that’s resting on the rolled-down window. “Come in! I’ll make you coffee?”

“We need to leave,” I reply. “Make sure to remind Alessio who brought you home.” I point to Liliana then roll up my window.

We drive away and Donal doesn’t miss a beat.

“You slept with her.”

“What?” I question. “You’re mad.”