Keepers of the Flame (Trilogy Bundle) - By Melissa F. Hart Page 0,31

to anyone. There were parts of me I wasn't willing to share. I guess Dylan wasn't the only one with trust issues.

I retreated into silence as Dylan and Messina went over details and whatever else they needed to go over. I was consumed with thoughts of Katrina. I hoped with everything in me that my grandma was okay. I had no idea what I would do if anything happened to her. It meant I would be alone in the world, well and truly alone.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that it was when I bumped into Dylan's back that I realized we'd come to a halt.

“The car will take you to the airport where a private jet is waiting on standby for you,” Messina was saying. “I've asked your men to report at the London HQ. Good luck.”

The two men shook hands and the older man turned to me. “You're in very good hands, but Dylan is just one person. Make sure you take care of him.”

I nodded and shook his hands. “Thank you so much, sir,” I said even as I was silently wondering how he supposed I was to take care of Dylan.

We got into the limo that was waiting and sped off to the airport. Once there I was handed a passport and we passed through the checks without any trouble. Before long we were settled in a very luxurious and posh airplane. I'd never been on a private jet before and I was slightly overwhelmed.

“Once we're airborne, you should get some sleep,” Dylan said as soon as we were buckled in.

“You look tired. You should get some sleep, too.”

“I'm fine,” he said shortly, resting his head on the seat.

I stared at him for a few moments, wondering what his problem was. I couldn't figure him out and I was determined not to do the telepathy thing anymore. I strapped myself in and proceeded to ignore him.

Once we were airborne he opened his eyes. “The guest suite is over there. You should get some sleep.” He gestured to the back of the jet.

“I'm fine.”

“Bloody hell, Luanne! What's wrong with you? Why can't you just for once, depend on someone else?”

I gazed at him with shock and faint hurt. What was his problem? Why was he raising his voice to me? What did I do?

I unstrapped myself and stood up. “Are you coming along?” I asked.

He stared at me like he wanted to say no, then he muttered a few curses and got up.

“No need to swear at me either,” I said as I walked off, head raised high.

Chapter Eight

We lay beside each other in silence; close enough to touch but not touching. I could feel the tension radiating from him and I bit my lip in dismay. Why was he doing this to us? I knew he was upset about something, but I had no idea what was eating him up.

“You know, I don't know how I'm supposed to know what's up with you if you don't tell me. It's not as though I can read...” I trailed off as I realized what I'd been about to say.

“Go on, don't stop. It's not as though you can read my mind, right?”

I hated the sarcasm and bitterness. I wanted things to be okay between us but I felt as though there was a wide chasm between us even though we were lying down beside each other.

“Why are you doing this, Dylan?” I finally turned to face him.

When he didn't answer my question, I turned away from him and rolled to my side, giving him my back. I felt...empty. That was the word. Empty. Even when we were just friends, we never had this between us. As much as he exasperated me, I knew he was there for me. Right now I felt so alone. I wanted him to put his arms around me and tell me he loved me. I tensed and became still. Where had that thought come from? Why would I want him to love me? Love wasn't part of the equation, was it?

I lay there and stared at the white walls of the plane. It was slowly dawning on me that I'd fallen in love with him. Heck I'd probably been in love with him for several months and never realized it. Why else would I have wanted him to love me so badly? With the realization came wonder, elation and deep sadness. What if he didn't love me back? As it was, he