Page 89 of Tears of Revenge

They arrived at a private section of the airport and parked right on the tarmac, just a short walk from the plane. She kept her eyes trained on the vessel and her lips sealed tighter around the straw. The moment her feet touched the ground, Marcus and Lysander had their arms around her. She knew they couldn’t be the only ones around, so she kept her lungs still. Instead, she focused on their touch and the taste of blood running over her tongue and down her throat.

The plane was much more spacious than she’d thought, and she quickly found a seat on one of the leather chairs. Lysander went straight to the cockpit, pressing buttons and speaking into his headset. The second Varos had secured the door, he took the seat across from her while Marcus took the empty one beside her.

She reached for Marcus’s hand, squeezing it tightly and finally feeling secure enough to let go of the straw. With her eyes closed, she listened to Lysander going through his checks before the plane started moving over the tarmac. She relaxed in her seat and stared out the window, the lights of the airport shrinking as they flew higher into the clouds.

And suddenly it dawned on her, clearer than ever. “We could go anywhere we wanted.”

“Yes we could,” Varos lightly confirmed.

“No restrictions.”

“None.”

“And even if there were, you have enough money to make them disappear,” she added.

“We,” Marcus corrected.

She turned and narrowed her eyes at him. “What?”

“We have enough money. It’s yours too.”

“One day you will regret saying that.”

“Try me.”

She grinned and rolled her head back, the realisation of freedom making her feel high. The world was hers, and her men would follow her anywhere.

Well, after she got her thirst under control, but she was determined to do so. She wanted to see everything, wanted to travel the world, visit places she’d only ever dreamed of.

“That property list of yours might be my to-do list for the next few years.”

“It would be our pleasure,” Marcus promised, kissing her knuckles.

She nibbled at the straw of her cup until it was empty, then stood to check on Lysander. He sat back in his chair completely relaxed, so she wrapped her arms around him from behind.

“Still feeling safe?” he asked.

“With you? Always. How are you holding up? Need something to drink or a snack?”

He indicated a water bottle and snacks on the other seat.

“The big bad wolf can look after himself,” she giggled, pressing a kiss to his hair. “You might have to fly us more often.”

“So I’ve heard. What is the first destination that comes to mind?”

“Lisbon.”

“And why is that?”

“I’ve been told it has the oldest bookstore in the world. I remember looking it up once and thinking that would be cool. The city looked very beautiful too.”

“I’m sure Varos is already planning it for you.”

A confirming grunt sounded from behind them that made them both chuckle.

“Maybe we should start somewhere local first,” she said. “Baby steps.”

“Whenever you feel ready,” Lysander agreed.