Fraud (Antihero Inferno #2) - Lily White Page 0,34
side of his face, I can see his eyes roll, even as he refuses to look over at me.
“And I think you should shut up like you promised. I was enjoying the sound of nothing.”
My lips curl at that, another thought coming to mind about one of the ways I can strike back on the way home.
He wants a silent victim.
I refuse to be one.
And with the knowledge that I have on him, I’ll make the flight home the most unpleasant experience in the history of mankind.
Gabriel
It’s hard to believe Ivy accepts anything I have to say as truth. Not after the years we’ve been around each other and not after the games we’ve played.
The truth is I never want her silent around me.
Okay.
Wait.
That’s a lie.
I wanted her silent the one time she’d convinced me she was a worthless bag of socialite skin, her only value the cost of her upkeep and the clothes she wears.
But now that I know better, and now that I see the opponent emerging that I’ve battled my entire life, the last thing I want is for her to stop talking.
She fascinates me, this woman.
Always has.
Ivy remains quiet the rest of the drive to the airport, but that doesn’t mean she’s given up. Quite the opposite, in fact. It’s almost as if I can hear the gears grinding in her head, can read her thoughts as easily as if they were written on a whiteboard while she plots out her next move in her plan to fight back.
She’s up to something, and I’m looking forward to the grand unveiling, only because for as aggravating as her pranks can be, they are also awe-inspiring.
I love the way her devious mind works. Ivy never does anything standard or ordinary. The pranks she plans against me are an art form, and I admire the way she’s always surprised me as much as I surprised her.
Pulling up to the airport gates, I hand the security attendant my identification and flight plan for him to check over. Satisfied I have every right to be here, he opens the gates and allows me to pull forward.
Within a few seconds, we’re slowly driving down the tarmac, my plane coming into sight, several of the crew running around to do their pre-flight checks.
Glancing at Ivy, I see she’s not impressed. But then again, why would she be? She was raised in the same life as me, her level of luxury almost equal to the wealth my family has amassed.
If anything, she looks bored, the silence finally getting to me so much that I can’t help but break it.
“Just so you know I’m a member in good standing with the Mile-High Club. If you haven’t joined yet, I highly recommend it.”
She turns her head to glare in my direction, but rather than opening those beautiful lips and spitting back some snarky retort, she rolls her eyes and turns back to the window.
My brows shoot up at that, and I wonder just how long she’ll continue with the silent treatment she’s giving me.
I don’t let it bother me.
“Can I assume your silence indicates consent and excitement?”
Her shoulders shake with a snort, but she doesn’t look at me again or communicate in any way.
That’s fine. As soon as we’re on the plane, I’ll annoy her so much she won’t be able to resist attacking back.
I park the car near the plane and get out. Nodding my head at one of the crew, I walk around the car to open the trunk for another crew member to gather and load the bags onto the plane, then round to the passenger side to pull open Ivy’s door.
Offering a hand to help her out of her seat, I smile when she scowls.
“Come along, princess. Your chariot awaits.”
Surprisingly, she takes my hand as she swings her shapely legs from the car and pushes to her feet.
“I’m not a princess,” she argues as we walk toward the plane, the sun glowing beautifully against her tan skin.
“Ah,” I tease, “she speaks.”
Her soft laughter floats through the breeze, tempting me in all the right places.
“Oh,” she volleys back, “he really does want to hear me. I’m shocked.”
Grinning at that, we approach the plane when I remind her, “You’ve always been a spoiled princess, Ivy. Since the day we met.”
We reach the stairs, and she turns to me before climbing them. Aqua blue eyes hold mine, something unsaid in her expression.
“And you’ve always been the broken prince. Or have you forgotten that part?”