The plane was waiting for us by the time we got to the hangar. It was a long drive from the Romano castle to the hangar so it was enough time to prepare.
We got on the jet. Jace led the way as always and I followed with mixed feelings. I wasn't sure how to feel about going back to New York because it felt like he was stricter with his rules but since I did not have much of a choice, I kept mute.
It took a couple of minutes but the plane eventually took off.
I looked over at Jace. He had barely said a word to me after his flamboyant toast and our dramatic exit from the Romano castle.
He was usually not a man of many words but his silence tonight just felt heavier, like there was something serious weighing him down.
It was not my place to ask if anything was wrong because I knew he would most likely ignore me.
I dozed off about an hour into the flight after the cutting silence had me tired.
This time around I didn't feel him carry me into the bedroom but when I woke up briefly for a bathroom break, I saw that I was on the bed.
Coming back to the room, I saw that I had slept for just three hours, which meant I had about five hours to go before this flight would end.
I walked back to where he was seated and saw that he was asleep.
Out of concern, I picked up a blanket and tried to cover him up. He immediately seized my arm with a tight grip.
I yelped in pain.
"Jace it's me!" I exclaimed before he could reflexively hit me.
He stopped and groaned, rubbing over his eyes with his free hand.
"What are you doing out here?" He asked.
His sleepy voice sounded so attractive.
Mira focus. I told myself.
"I saw you were cold so I wanted to cover you up with a blanket." I said, showing him the blanket I came with. Did he think I was trying to kill him or something?
It wouldn't be a bad idea but that would mean I would die too.
"Thanks." He said and took it out of my hands.
I don't know why but i immediately felt flustered because Jace thanked me for the very first time. I didn't think he was capable of common courtesy since he always acted like a cleaned up gangster/thug which is technically what he was but still...
"I'll go back and lie down now." I said and made to leave.
"Stay." He said, pulling me back.
He made me sit on his thighs, facing him.
When his tongue flickered over my neck, I shivered.
I let my hands trail over his smooth shaved face. His jawline looked so sharp, it could cut through anything. My fingers trailed over his lips.
I think he saw it in my eyes how badly I wanted to kiss them because he leaned closer. I did too.
But just when our lips were about to touch, the plane shook violently.
He held me close to him until the turbulence was over and when it seemed everything had settled, he buckled me into my seat.
Once again, the moment was gone like it never happened.
~
We touched down in New York and truly the air was different back home.
The cars and his entourage were waiting for us as soon as we landed.
As we got down from the jet, I was stunned to see some people taking pictures. Yes, I didn't look disheveled or anything as I made sure to make myself look decent mostly because he insisted. He even gave me a pair of sunglasses to cover my eyes that felt heavy with sleep.
"What is this?" I asked him through a whisper as he held my hand while we walked down the stairs.
"Let's call this a distraction. Smile like you mean it." He said through gritted teeth.
I exhaled and swallowed. I thought he wanted to keep everything about his personal life a secret, why was he putting me out there now?
Of course I smiled while trying to bow my head.
"Keep your head up." He said in my left ear, leaning so close, I'm sure the media people thought he was being a romantic and doting husband.
The pictures continued until we got into the car and he drove us out of there.
I was so relieved when we were finally alone. I turned to him and yelled.
"What the hell was that?!"
"I'd watch that tone if I were you." He said, eyes focused on the road.
I exhaled, trying to calm myself down. I just had a long flight and I did not need a headache.
"I need you to answer me." I managed to say in a controlled tone.
"You heard me when I said it's a distraction."
"Distraction from what?"
"You''d understand sooner or later. Just play the part." His response was so vague, it grated my nerves even more.
"Jace-" I was trying to say but he cut me off.
"Mira this is not the time or place for your drama! Let me concentrate!"
I flinched at his yelling.
And just like that, I recoiled, letting my eyes stay glued to the window.
It was stupid of me to get too comfortable just because I assumed we had a 'moment'.
I was too dumb for my own good.