Ending with Forever by Lan LLP Read Free Book Online

is perfectly smooth and Lil is finally down for a nap in my private cabin. “Luke, what’s the status on Sasha?” I ask as I fall back into my leather seat with a bourbon in my right hand. It’s early for a drink, but it’s necessary for the shitty week I’ve had. 
    “She’s been taking prescription drugs and drinking every night. There’s been no contact between her and Ms. Sorté.”
    “I suppose Sasha needs a friend to talk to when I get back from Indiana.”
    “I think you might be right,” Luke concurs, nodding his head and narrowing his eyes slightly in contemplation.
    “What about our other lead?”
    “He’s willing and ready whenever you need him,” Luke replies. “We’re keeping him comfortable at one of your vacation homes.”
    “Very good. Now what about the extra bodyguards? What are their backgrounds?”
    “Two of them are men I served with in the Marines. I trust them with my own life as well as my family’s.”
    “Excellent. I trust your judgment, Luke.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Bradley. Oh there’s one more thing I need to tell you. Mr. Ly just offered you two additional men yesterday. One of which will be waiting at the tarmac in Fort Wayne. His background has already been cleared by Owen.”
    “What the hell is he doing there?” I grumble. “I don’t need a stranger in my private space.”
    “Mr. Ly insisted on lending you his personal bodyguard.”
    “Fuck! How can I say no to that? I’ll offend him if I deny his helpful gesture.”
    “That’s exactly what Owen thought, too.”
    It’s questionable why Marcus is being overly considerate with me. No one in today’s society does anything out of the goodness of their heart. He must want or need something badly from me. Hmm…does this have anything to do with Lil? I still can’t get over his obsession with her pendant and her mother’s whereabouts. Owen will have to do some digging for me. I can guarantee we’ll see strings attached to his generosity when he finds my answers.
    “Excuse me, Mr. Bradley. Captain Franco would like for me to update you with our landing status. We’ll be touching ground in fifteen minutes,” the flight attendant informs. “Everyone will need to be seated with their belts on. Is there anything else I can get for either one of you?” she offers with a freshly applied lipstick smile while eyeing Luke with interest. Unlucky for her, he’s oblivious to her intentions. She’s immediately faded into his background.
    “No. I’m good. How about you, Luke?”
    “I’m fine. Thanks,” he responds without any life in his flat voice, ending the flight attendant’s last hope of having any further interactions with him.
    “Will you excuse me?” I rise to my feet and make my way down to the opposite end of the jet to wake Lil up for the landing.
    I open the cabin door to discover that Lil is already up. I hear her rustling in the bathroom with the water running. Is she gagging again? The toilet flushes and the pocket door slides open. Her face appears pasty like someone who’s been vomiting and her eyes are watering around the corners.
    “Carson, I think I just had the worst case of motion sickness. I woke up and ran to the bathroom,” she explains as she runs her fingers through her hair while bracing her body against the wall.
    “Are you sure it’s just motion sickness?” I ask, concerned. “You had an episode earlier and you weren’t on the jet yet.”
    “Yes. The room was spinning like crazy when I opened my eyes from the nap. It made my stomach churn and twist. Maybe I ate something bad.”
    “I don’t think it was the food or else I’d be sick, too,” I reason.
    “I’m fine now,” she tells me.
    “Are you sure?” I ask again. “I need to know since we won’t be together tonight.”
    “Yes. I’ll be fine. Will you?” she taunts.
    “Come here.” I lasso my arms around her. “Don’t be cruel to your doting fiancé.”
    “I’m not,” she giggles.
    “Then give me some