Was this all a calculated move? Had Tanner been supposed to come in, lay on a guilt trip, and send me running after Kai? Because, fuck. That’s what happened.

I stopped at the bottom step, the entryway beckoning me. A pair of headlights shone outside. They were waiting for me.

“He won’t come in for you.”

This time Jonah stood behind me, a drink in hand. He was dressed much like me, in a sweatshirt, but with sweats on the bottom.

“You’ll have to go to him. He’s been notified that you changed your mind, but the decision has to be yours. Totally. He’ll wait, but not for long. He’ll go without you, so decide quick. Otherwise, the next vehicles will be leaving in six hours. We’ll take you back to your other life.”

My other life.

He was right. If I went with Kai, somehow, in some way, I would be returning to my old life. But if I stayed, even if I went back to Blade and Carol, could I really return to that world?

I’d broken my vow.

I was still breaking my vow, now actually going with the person the hider wanted away from.

But…my eyes were glued to those headlights.

I knew my decision. I felt it deep down.

I went outside.

I hadn’t ever really considered not going. I’d been fooling myself.

The door to the SUV opened. Kai sat to one side, and I got in.

The inside was warm, a slight trace of bourbon in the air.

I sat back, not meeting Kai’s gaze, and smoothed my sweaty palms down my legs.

Had I just made a mistake?

Then he placed a phone in my hand. “For you to use.”

I choked up.

I turned on the screen, saw the WiFi connected already, and knew what this really meant.

He’d just offered me real freedom.

Next he placed a pair of headphones on my lap.

Without another word, I plugged them in, put them on, and found some music. I slid down beside him, and it wasn’t long before I fell asleep.

I felt… I didn’t want to think about how I felt.

It was a way I shouldn’t have. I knew that much.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Kai traveled via private jet.

I shouldn’t have been surprised. Privacy and security were so important to them. It made sense.

We rolled up to the plane in a private hangar and got out. There was a slight drizzle in the air, a faint smell of manure underneath. I shivered, ducking my head as we went up the ramp.

“Welcome, miss.”

The flight attendant gave me a professional smile, indicating for me to take a seat. I was surprised how big the plane was—ten people could fly with us.

I took one of the seats in the back, and one by one, the others filled with Kai’s security guards. I wondered if more guards were coming, flying separately, or if he had a whole fleet to meet us when we landed. They kept the seat across from me open.

One guess who was going to sit there.

My phone buzzed, and I opened it up.

Hey.

Me: Who is this?

Blade.

I shot a look at Kai, but his back was still turned to me as he spoke to the pilot.

Me: How did you get this number?

Blade: Your man sent me a text with the number, said you’d be using it. You’re with him for real?

Me: No. I’m with him for Brooke.

Blade: He’s brainwashed you.

I waited a second before replying, my stomach rolling over on that one.

Me: Maybe. If he hurts Brooke, I’m going to kill him.

The phone rang, and I answered, “Hey.”

“What the fuck are you doing sending that text? It’s his phone. He’s going to be monitoring your texts.”

Kai turned now and made his way back. His eyes found me, took in the phone pressed to my ear, but he had no reaction. I shifted lower in the seat, getting more comfortable.

I lowered my voice, “He knows.”

“He knows?!”

“I told him.”

Blade sighed. “I don’t know what game you’re playing with him, or if that’s what you’re doing or not. Just…be safe, okay?”

My nerves were stretched so tight, I could’ve bounced a penny off them. “Oh, I will,” I remarked as Kai took the seat across from me.

We hung up, and I busied myself picking a new song.

“You didn’t tell him we were going to New York?” Kai asked.

I paused. “It’s none of his business.”

Kai frowned, but as I had in the car, I plugged in my headphones, buckled my seatbelt, and got cozy in my chair.

“You knew I would talk to him.”

Kai shrugged. “What part of being here of your own free will means you can’t make phone calls?”

“Touché.”

He frowned, then grinned. “Touché.” Sitting back, he pulled out some papers as we taxied to take off.

Once in the air, the flight attendant began serving us drinks and food. I asked for a blanket.

“There’s a full seat in the back.” Kai gestured behind us, and through a privacy curtain, I saw he was right.

It was almost big enough for two people to sleep on.

“I know you didn’t sleep last night,” he added.

“Do you?” Why did I bait him? I grimaced. “Don’t answer that.”