The bathroom is just big enough for one person to fit in. It has a small sink, toilet, and corner shower. I take my clothes off, letting them fall to the floor. I don’t dare look at myself in the mirror. If I did, I’m not sure whether I’d see a strong, determined woman or a frail, broken one.
Instead, I flip the water on and step under the spray. The water is cool; I don’t bother letting it heat up. I don’t need it to be warm. Siren also said it won’t stay warm for long anyway.
I let the water wash away the mud, the dried leaves, the blood from the bug bites and scratches. It also cleanses me of my pain and anger.
I can’t believe Langston kidnapped me. I can’t believe he threatened my life—all for a secret treasure he doesn’t even need. He has his own private island and mansion. He doesn’t need money. He just wants to hurt me.
We’ve been through a lot as kids, but I still feel like there is something I’m missing, something Langston is hiding. His rage goes far beyond the truth as I know it.
I feel the plane rising off the ground.
My body lightens, as if a weight has been lifted from my body as we takeoff.
I don’t have to worry about Langston anymore. I don’t have to spend another second thinking about him.
Fuck Langston and his stupid games. Siren won’t let him come near me again.
I hear a light tapping on the door. I’m sure it’s just Siren telling me she put clothes outside the door for me.
I don’t stop showering, though, until I’ve used every ounce of water. Even then, I let the water droplets drip down my hair, face, and body.
I stare at these little miracles—tiny water droplets that brought me back to life.
After several minutes, I can’t hide in the bathroom anymore. I dry off and wrap a towel around me before cracking the door open to grab the clothes Siren left for me.
I look at them closely—jeans and a black T-shirt, fighting clothes. I quickly change, even though my hips don’t fill out the jeans like Siren’s would. My breasts fill the shirt, stretching the material to its limit.
I run my hand through my wet hair—good enough.
When I step out in the main cabin, I find Siren sitting in a chair holding Cayden.
How did I miss her baby when I entered?
I was too worried about just getting on the plane and in the shower to wash off everything that happened.
“Feel better?” Siren asks with a tense smile.
“Yes, thank you.” I make my way over to the captain’s chair directly across from her and sit down. Cayden is asleep in her arms, and Siren seems content to just let him sleep there.
“Is Zeke here?”
She shakes her head. “It’s just me, Cayden, and the pilot.”
“What if Langston had gotten to me first?”
“You don’t think I’m capable of getting Langston to do whatever I say?” Her eyes twinkle, and her face lightens with the knowledge that she’s able to control a man she’s not even married to.
My ribs clench, and my stomach drops in jealousy. If only I could control Langston as easily. It makes me wish even more that Siren wasn’t here.
I stare out the window as we fly over the ocean. I’m not even sure where we are. I’m about to ask, but Siren beats me to speaking.
“This plane can take you anywhere. So, where are we going?” Siren asks.
I furrow my brows as I glance back to her. We aren’t going anywhere. I’ll only be able to stand Siren until this plane ride is over, and then I’ll need her to head back to Zeke.
“Home.”
Siren blinks rapidly, trying to digest my single word in disbelief. She sits up and slowly lifts Cayden off her lap, placing him on the couch across from us. Once he’s solidly asleep again, she folds her arms and stares down at me like she’s about to give me an order.
“New York? You can’t go back there.”
“Why not? It’s my home. It’s where I want to be.” I stand up, wanting to be on the same eye level as her. I won’t let her, or anyone else, bully me into feeling weak.
“That will be the first place Langston looks!”
I glance at Cayden as Siren raises her voice, but he sleeps right through it. I guess when you grow up in our world, you can sleep through anything.
“I’m not going to run anymore. I’m not going to play his games.”
“Just hide out, take a vacation somewhere until I can talk some sense into that boy.”
“No. I have Waylon to worry about. I have a job. A life. I’m not going to let Langston take anything more from me.”
Siren’s eyes flick side to side as she looks into my eyes, hoping to find something in my eyes to persuade me. She won’t find anything. My decision is already made.
She lets out a long breath, blowing some of her hair out of her eyes.
“I’ll tell the pilot we are headed for New York, and then you and I are going to talk.”
She heads toward the front of the plane, while I take a seat again, feeling victorious, even though I know she’s not going to let this go that easily. I close my eyes. Maybe if I pretend to sleep, Siren will ignore me.
“Nuh-uh. That’s not going to work. You’re not asleep. Start talking,” Siren says as she plops back into her chair.
My eyes flick open. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“It’s a long story.”
“We’ve got time.”
I close my eyes again. “Sorry, Siren. I don’t want to lie to you, and that’s all I’ll do if I start talking. You’re better off not knowing.”
