ELIJAH
The words that came out of my sisters went in through one ear and out the other.
I wanted to believe there was no way any of this was true. But I was there when I heard them announce that the flight had boarded.
I was there.
I buried my face into my sweaty palms, waiting for a call from one of my men. The news played on the TV — I needed clarification. Proof. Something. I'd been sat here for the past twenty minutes, waiting for a call. From anyone. To find out something. Anything.
She's alive, Elijah. Alive and well, I told myself.
"Mr. Grey, there's someone here to see you," I heard, but I didn't bother looking up. Unless it was news about her I didn't want to hear it.
"I don't want to see anyone," I said, my voice hoarse.
"But they said they won't leave until they speak to you, sir."
"I said I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANYONE!" I spat. "How many times do I have to repeat myself?"
"It's okay, Sandra. Tell whoever it is that I'll be down in a minute," Vicky said, her voice softer in comparison to mine.
"It's your fiancée, ma'am," Sandra said, and my whole body went rigid. "What?"
"Mr. Ezekiel is here. He's quite angry and he said he won't leave until he sees Mr. Grey."
"Okay, Sandra. You can leave. I'll be down in a minute."
With a nod, Sandra turned around and closed the door with a soft thud.
I turned, following Sandra so I could find out what Ezekiel wanted, but I felt a grip on my arm yank me back.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Vicky's voice was sharp.
I balled my fists. "Get out of my way, Vicky, or—"
"Or what?" she cut in. "You'll hit me like Dad used to?"
My eyes locked with hers and I immediately felt like an asshole. Slowly, I unclenched my fists. Unclenched my jaw. "You know I would never do that to you."
"How can I be so sure when you're acting like him right now, Elijah?" She exhaled. "Look, I know you're upset. But that doesn't give you the right to yell at people and go downstairs and cause another scene. I'm worried sick too, can't you see? After everything we've been through with her, we still care about her. Even though we hate that we do. But being him won't solve anything."
"So let me go downstairs and speak to Ezekiel on my own, okay?"
"No. I'm coming with you."
"No, Elijah. God. I said no the first time and it's still no."
"You can't be alone with him."
"I dare him to try and hurt me in my own house. He knows he can't, Elijah. That's off the table."
"I still don't trust him," I said. "I promise I won't cause a scene."
Vicky gave me a look I knew all too well — the one she made right before she gave in. Then she shook her head and inhaled.
"Fine."
She turned, opened the door, and we headed downstairs together.
When we reached the end of the stairs, my eyes landed on a figure with his back to us.
"What are you doing here?"
"What am I doing here? Is that a way to treat your lovely fiancé?" he said mockingly, stalking closer to her.
I moved in too, watching him. Again, Vicky shot me a firm look as she stepped toward him. "What the hell is your problem? Are you drunk?"
"Is it too much for a man to want a proper greeting from his future wife?"
With one swift yank of her arm, he spun her around. Her back collided with his chest as he pulled a gun out and pressed it to her temple.
"Now," his voice boomed, his whole body shaking with rage, "which one of you is going to tell me WHAT THE HELL, happened to my sister?!"
I cursed myself for not being armed. "Let her go."
"Nope," he said, popping the p. "Not until someone tells me why there was a fault in the fucking plane my sister took. Now tell me— which one of you made the order so I can finish this quickly."
"What did you say?"
"Oh, don't play dumb, Elijah," he spat. "Someone wanted my sister dead. I'm aware that the second I fire this bullet, I'll be as good as dead. But losing your sister — the only real family you've ever had — will destroy you. And you know what? If that means I die for that to happen, I'll happily die a happy death."
My heart dropped when I heard him thumb the safety off. Click.
"Come on now, Elijah, you better speak. Who was it? You or her? I don't have time for guessing games."
I swallowed.
"Fine." My voice was dead. "It was me. But I had to do it. I had to stop her from leaving."