“No, but thank you.” The conversation ceased as they drove to her apartment. It was nice not having to fight the busy city traffic or take public transportation for a change. She could seriously get used to being chauffeured around.
They reached her apartment in about fifteen minutes and she ran up the stairs to throw a few items together. She hadn’t been told anything about the trip and was unsure what she should pack. She didn’t have any dinner dresses, so that was out. She hoped she wasn’t expected to attend anything formal. If that were the case, she’d have to do some shopping.
She wouldn’t like cutting into her savings, but she would be in New York, and it would almost be a shame for her not to do at least a little bit of shopping. Her optimism rose as she took a moment to think about it.
This could be a great trip. She’d probably be sitting in on meetings during the day, taking notes, and then typing things out. She found she was fast and efficient when dictating for her boss. Her nights were most likely her own to do with what she pleased. If they were going to be there several days, maybe she’d even be able to take in a Broadway play. The best part of all was that she’d be on the other side of the country – far from Rafe. She was still unsure what his surprise visit was about yesterday.
Ari made sure she had her I.D. and a few changes of clothes, and then she double checked all her windows, making sure they were locked. Her next task of business was to call the hospital. Her fears were assuaged when the doctor assured her that her mother wouldn’t be released until at least Tuesday. She’d have plenty of time to get home. Luckily, she didn’t have any pets to worry about, so she was back down to the car within twenty minutes.
“That was much faster than I’m used to,” the driver said with a smile as he again held open her door.
“I don’t like to waste time. There’s only so much to pack,” she said as she handed him her bag and then slid into the back seat. He stowed her luggage in the back, then came around and the car was back on the road within minutes.
Ari wanted to fill the silence with conversation, but she didn’t know what to talk about, so she just sat back and enjoyed the ride. It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for seeing the view out the jet’s windows as they took off.
When the driver skirted the main airport, Ari grew concerned. Just as worse case scenarios began to play out in her mind, he turned down a connecting road and approached a private facility next door.
“Why are we here?”
“This is where the corporate jets are stored. They use a separate runway.”
“Oh, that makes sense.”
“Right this way, please,” he said as he helped her from the car and then led her to the building, straight through and out the back door.
Ari gasped at the size of the jet in front of her. It was as large as a commercial aircraft. This had to be the wrong one. Private jets were small and sleek.
“Is something wrong?” the driver asked.
“Is that what I’m traveling in?”
“I know, it’s a bit large. I’ve always wanted to ride in her. It’s a 747, picked up right from the factory and converted into a beautiful private jet. It has a large master bedroom, two other sleeping quarters, a conference room, general meeting area, kitchen and two more bathrooms. If you’re going to travel, this is the way to do it.”
“Wow. I had no idea the company I work for had this kind of wealth. The offices are nice, but they’re not that nice,” she said with a whistle as she started to move forward again.
She missed the incredulous look he gave her. Had she stopped and listened to him a few more moments, she never would’ve stepped inside the jet, and then never been thrown the hardest choice of her life.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Rafe watched the entry to his jet like a panther waiting to leap. What amazed him were the nerves coursing through his body. He didn’t succumb to the weakness of nerves – he was Rafe Palazzo and nothing could affect him.
He sat back in his comfortable lounge chair as he watched Ari’s shadow edge into the jet, showing him she was now walking up the stairs.
He waited.
Taking a sip of his bourbon, he leaned back in his seat, casually setting his foot across the top of his opposite knee. He was the picture of cool confidence, though the fire raging in his eyes would certainly squash any rumors of him being referred to as the man of ice.
Finally, Ari stepped inside. His eyes never left her face as she glanced around at her surroundings with intimidation. He would concede that for someone like her, growing up in a lower middle class neighborhood, may have a more difficult time adjusting to his world. He didn’t even blink when he lost millions in the stock market, but then that was nothing to him, not when he had billions more to secure his future.
Ari’s eyes adjusted to the light, and that’s when she turned and spotted him sitting there. His first instinct was to stand up and haul her to the back of the jet where his luxurious suite was available for him to devour her. Still, he didn’t allow even so much as a single muscle to twitch.
This was a game – and his ultimate victory would come when she surrendered herself to him. He would let her speak first, if she did so at all. By the look in her panicked eyes, it was obvious she hadn’t expected to see him. Did she honestly think he would’ve allowed her to leave him so easily? He was soon to find out.
*****
Ari was frozen to the spot as she looked into the frosty purple eyes of Rafe. How could she not have put the pieces together? Of course she hadn’t been so lucky as to get her current job on her own. The minute that call had come in, she should have been researching the company, finding out all there was to know.
It wouldn’t do her any good to kick herself now. She felt like she’d been run over by a freight train – not only the engine, but she was currently trapped against the track and every car the huge machine was pulling continued to keep her locked down, pain radiating from every single space of her body.
“You own Sunstream Electronics.” She wasn’t asking, merely making a statement. She refused to play the victim or ask senseless questions.
“Obviously.” He wasn’t going to make any of this easier on her. But then again, when had he really made things easier. Yes, there’d been some moments. A few brief flashes in time when he’d actually been human, but those times were quickly fading in light of how manipulative he’d actually been the entire time she’d known him.