The Bad Boys of Eden (36 page)

Chapter Two

Leila paid the cab driver and climbed out, clutching her purse and a small carry bag. She glanced up at the massive building made of steel and glass, shimmering in the bright New York sun. The note had said everything would be provided, including clothes, and she wondered if some kind of role-playing would be involved. It seemed odd, but then again, there was nothing about any of this that seemed in any way normal.

Grabbing the chrome handle of the large glass doors, she pulled it towards her. To her surprise, the lobby door was locked. A security guard responded to her knock, opening the double doors and ushering her inside. The lobby was empty, the reception area dark. It was Sunday, she mused, and no one was working.

“Ms. Connors?”

She nodded, startled that he knew her name.

“This way, please.”

The guard ushered her to a bank of elevators. Once inside a car, he inserted a key, turned it, and the elevator took off at a dizzying speed, whisking them smoothly to their destination.

“Follow me.” The guard led the way down an elegant carpeted hallway, soft lighting accenting framed paintings along the wall. Leila glanced at the artwork, surprised to notice many works by the old masters. But she was almost trotting as she tried to keep pace with the guard as he strode down the hallway, his long legs making it difficult for Leila to keep up.

At the end of the hall, he unlocked a nondescript gray metal door. Pushing it open, he held it for her. She hesitated, blinking as she stepped into the sun, almost blinded by the reflection from a neighboring building. She heard the sound of the door closing behind her and she turned, now facing the outside of the metal door. From the other side, she heard the sound of the key in the lock.

“Ms. Connors? This way.”

She turned toward the voice, finding a man in a pilot’s uniform standing by her side.

“Yes…I mean, thank you.”

He walked toward a helicopter set on what looked like the very edge of the roof. Leila followed, clutching her purse and bag tightly, her heart beating faster. The flight to Austin and back had been enough of a challenge. But flying in a helicopter was almost enough to make her turn around and run. Except that her only escape route was through a locked door. The pilot turned, holding out his hand, and she had the doomed sense there was no turning back now.

Just do it, Leila.
The voice in her head was commanding, providing her with the last bit of courage that she needed.

“Watch your step, please. You can stow your bags beneath your seat. I’ll help you with your harness after I board.”

She drew a shuddering breath, accepted his hand, and climbed into the helicopter, taking the seat next to the pilot’s. The helicopter seemed absurdly small, and she struggled to cram her bags beneath the seat. Maybe this was the explanation for the no luggage clause for the trip.

“Here. You’ll need to wear these as well. Once we’re in the air, it’s the only way we can communicate.” The pilot was settling himself beside her, holding out a large headset. She slid them over her ears as he reached across her body, fastening the harness securely around her.

The pilot began flipping a complicated series of switches and Leila turned away, looking out of the cockpit window, taking a small measure of comfort that the man appeared to know what he was doing.

“Excuse me, but where are we going?”

“Sorry, ma’am. I can’t answer that.”

“Can’t?” Or won’t?” Leila’s heart leapt in her chest. Was she being kidnapped? Was this really some elaborate scheme by someone? Would Jordon be that crazy?

“My instructions are to fly you to a small private airfield just outside the city. You’ll be met there by your guide, and that’s all I know.”

He gave her a sympathetic smile and shrugged. “Don’t look so worried. From what I do know, you’re in good hands. The payment for this leg of your journey was made by a very prominent and well-respected writer.”

Leila let out the breath she realized she’d been holding, smiling for the first time since…she couldn’t remember.

“Thank you. This is…just all a bit overwhelming.”

“Yes, ma’am. I understand.”

And with that the rotors began turning, the helicopter vibrating around her. Her hands gripped the edge of her seat. Everything became very loud as the helicopter lifted off the ground. The pilot held the machine steady for a moment and then they began rising very quickly into the air.

Leila was fine for the few brief seconds they were still over the building, but as the machine rose higher and the buildings fell away, her heart leapt into her throat and she squeezed her eyes tightly closed. After a few moments, she became aware of the static over the headset, and then she heard the pilot’s voice.

“Ma’am, breathe. You’re fine. You’ll feel better if you keep your eyes open. Enjoy the view; it’s not every day you get a bird’s-eye view of the city.”

Leila opened her eyes cautiously, making sure to look straight ahead. They were flying over the skyscrapers of Manhattan. She watched the buildings passing beneath them and she focused on trying to recognize those that she could. But soon they were over the Hudson River and then she lost track of where they were.

Leila was just getting the feel for the sway and movement of the helicopter when the pilot banked suddenly, swooping down toward a small patch of green. Leila pushed herself back into the seat as the ground seemed to rise much too fast. The green beneath them formed itself into an airfield, dotted with toy-sized buildings and planes.

The helicopter slowed then, and the pilot set the machine gently onto the grass. Leila sat for a moment, willing herself to draw a breath and for her fingers to release their death grip on the seat. The pilot’s voice was in her ears again.

“Ma’am, you can remove your headset now.”

She pulled off the headset as the pilot reached over and undid the safety harness, which retracted back into its housing. There was a noise to her side and then a cool rush of incoming air as the door of the helicopter opened.

“Enjoy the rest of your trip.” The pilot smiled and she nodded in his direction. A hand gripped her elbow and she turned, looking down into the eyes of another man dressed in a crisp navy blue uniform and hat.

“Ma’am, if you’ll follow me.” He helped her down, and she reached back for her bag and purse. The helicopter pilot had turned back to the dials and switches of his machine.

The second pilot was waiting, and she followed him across the grass. Her heart gave a little leap of joy at the sight of a small Learjet on the tarmac. She’d done research on private jets for a long-ago manuscript and remembered all the luxurious details she’d given her hero’s plane. She hoped the real live version in front of her had half the amenities.

“If you’ll have a seat, we’ll be underway.”

The pilot held her hand as she walked up the small flight of stairs into the plane. She hesitated then turned back, leaning down to speak to the pilot.

“Let me guess, you’re not at liberty to tell me where I’m going.”

He smiled up at her. “On the contrary, Ms. Connors. We’ll land in Miami in just over three hours. Also, they’re an hour ahead of us, so you may want to adjust your watch.” He touched the visor of his hat and was gone.

“Ms. Connors? If you’ll be seated.”

This voice was female, and Leila turned. A woman stood there, in a skirt and jacket matching the pilot’s uniform minus the hat, wearing a pleasant smile.

“Thank you.” Leila moved further into the cabin and took in her surroundings.

Everything was covered in cream-colored leather, with four large plush seats surrounding a table. There was a banquet along one side. On the other side of the cabin was a polished mahogany sideboard, echoing the wood trim of the cabin. Leila dropped her bag and purse onto one seat and took the one closest to the window.

“My name is Stephanie and I’ll be with you for the duration of the flight. If you’ll fasten your seat belt, we’ll be underway.”

Leila did as she was instructed and Stephanie walked to the front of the cabin, speaking briefly through an open door into the cockpit before closing it. The door was covered in polished mahogany as well and closed with a reassuringly solid sound.

Stephanie took a small seat near the front of the plane and fastened her seat belt. She turned, giving Leila a professional flight attendant smile.

“We’ll be able to remove these in just a few moments. Then, if you like, we have some refreshments. Something to tide you over until you reach your ultimate destination.”

“Miami, right? That’s what the pilot told me.”

Stephanie continued to smile. “Yes, well, that’s where we’re headed now, but no, that’s not your ultimate destination.”

Leila frowned. “I don’t understand.”

Beneath her, Leila felt the plane begin taxiing down the runway. She squeezed her eyes shut and clamped her hands down on the armrests of her seat, bracing herself against the plush leather as the plane’s speed increased and the wheels left the runway.

“Breathe, Ms. Connors.”

Leila opened her eyes. Stephanie’s smile was firmly in place. Despite her thudding heart and sweating palms, Leila found something reassuring in the constancy of that smile. She drew in a slow breath, deliberately uncurling her fingers.

“I’m not fond of flying. Take offs and landings are the worst, and…well, pretty much everything in between is just as bad.”

“You’re not the first, Ms. Connors. But we have an excellent pilot in Captain McKenzie, and in his co-pilot, Captain Walsh.”

“Please, call me Leila. And thank you. I’m sure Captain McKenzie is an excellent pilot. It’s just…I haven’t flown very much until recently.” A nervous laugh escaped Leila’s lips.

“I guess I’m making up for lost time.”

A soft chime sounded and Stephanie briskly unfastened her seat belt, rising smoothly.

“Well, you can take off your seat belt. We’ll be in the air for just over three hours, landing at the Miami International Airport. Since you’re flying on a charter craft, you won’t need to wait.”

“Thank you.” Leila unfastened her seat belt, straightening in her seat. “Do you know where I’m going? Everyone’s so mysterious and secretive.”

“I’m sorry, Leila. I don’t know anything beyond Miami. I do know someone will meet you there and you’ll carry on with your journey.”

Leila drew a deep breath. Her curiosity was still piqued, but her enthusiasm for the actual trip was waning. The knot between her shoulders had returned. She shifted in her seat, reaching back to rub her neck.

“Would you like a glass of champagne? We have cheese and fruit as well.” Stephanie moved to the sideboard, efficiently opening doors and drawers and returning with a flute of champagne.

“Thank you, Stephanie.” Leila watched the bubbles rising in the pale amber liquid. She took an experimental sip. The champagne was fruity and complex, leaving a faint effervescent feeling on her tongue.

Within moments, Stephanie returned and set a silver tray on the table in front of Leila, laden with several varieties of cheese, fruit, and crackers.

“Is there anything else I can get for you, Leila? If you wish to take a nap, I can drop the window screens and provide you with an eye mask and blanket.”

Leila smiled up at Stephanie. “It’s been a long week.” She took another sip of champagne. “But thank you, no. I’m fine. I think I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll be in the back if you need anything.” Stephanie glided out of Leila’s line of sight.

The champagne worked its magic and Leila sat back, stretching her legs in front of her. She nibbled on a piece of cheese, looking out the window of the jet. Below her, there was nothing but blue ocean, a few clouds visible in the distance.

The improbability of her situation struck her again, the events of the day playing out in her mind. That morning she had been in Austin, leaving the conference early and in shame, and now she was comfortably ensconced in a private jet, heading for Miami.

“Stranger than fiction.” Leila held up her empty glass, taking a moment to consider how it had gotten that way. Before she really had an answer, Stephanie was there, filling the flute and then gliding silently away. Leila took another sip, leaned her head back, and closed her eyes.

“Leila…Leila.”

A gentle shake of her shoulder brought her awake. She sat up, her head a bit fuzzy, slightly disoriented. A cashmere blanket slid from her lap, pooling on the floor at her feet.

“Leila. We’re going to be landing in about twenty minutes. I thought you’d want a moment to…regroup.” Stephanie bent and retrieved the blanket.

Leila watched as Stephanie folded the blanket and placed it in an overhead storage bin. The champagne glass and food were gone, and the cabin was now restored to its former immaculate order.

“Thank you, Stephanie. I’m sorry…I must have dozed off.”

“It’s understandable. You’ve had a long day. But it’s almost over. I’m sure wherever you’re going, it’s going to be unforgettable.”

“I’m certainly hoping so.”

The chime she’d heard earlier sounded again and Stephanie took her seat behind the closed cabin door. Leila fastened her seat belt as the plane began to descend. Her grip on the seat was less intense than earlier and she managed to keep her eyes open. Out of the window, she saw trees and sand flashing by and then the wheels of the plane touched solid ground. An involuntary sigh of relief left Leila’s lips.