Forbidden Deception (Deception)

39

T he noise at the airport makes it hard to concentrate, but I manage to dial Rafael through the mess.

He picks it up on the first ring.

“Venezia, why did you leave like that? You aren’t at your apartment, either.” He sounds so breathless it twists my stomach.

“I’m leaving.”

“What? Where are you going?”

“I’m going to London. I’m…I’m not coming back, Rafael.” I manage to get it out in as few words as possible, so he doesn’t hear the tears in my voice. “Don’t come looking for me. I’m sorry, Rafael.” I cut the call and shut my phone down.

My hands shake as I exit the terminal and walk across the tarmac to the private jet, the words Cainn on the side bittersweet. How can I possibly go back to the way I used to be and just forget Rafael?

The air hostess meets me at the top of the stairs. “Ms Cainn, the plane is ready for you to enter. We have prepared refreshments, and there is also—”

The screeching of tires drowns the air hostess’s words.

I spin around to see a familiar Range Rover. The door whips open, and Rafael runs out, eyes fixed on me.

How did he know?

My heart falters and drops. The air hostess ushers me inside the jet, then closes and secures the door. I run to the middle and squeeze in between the seats to look out the window at him.

Remo’s security team intercepts him. There are twenty men on site, and Rafael brought no security with him. He struggles and fights them. His hair is a mess, as are his clothes, but he doesn’t give up.

He fights them off one by one. My eyes tear up.

A punch gets thrown to his face, and five guards are now trying to neutralise him.

I told this fool not to follow me and yet here he is.

“This is your captain speaking. Cabin crew, prepare for takeoff.”

Does the captain not care that there is a commotion outside? Why is he taking off like this?

His mouth calls my name even if I can’t hear him. His eyes slide up to fix on me through the window, and the pain in his eyes makes my chest constrict. I can barely breathe as it is, and the broken look in his eyes shatters me.

He punches the guard in front of him, then kicks at the ones behind him and manages to escape their clutches. He runs towards the jet just as it starts to taxi.

“Miss, please take your seat. We are about to take off,” the air hostess says.

No, why is he running towards the jet?!

It’s about to take off. Doesn’t he care?

All the security men are following him!

I slam my hand on the window.

“Stop running! Stop it! You will hurt yourself!” I scream, but hands pull me away from the window.

“Miss, we are about to take off. You have to be in your seat.”

“No, don’t touch me. He needs to move away, or he will get hurt.”

“Miss, he is approximately almost five hundred metres away from us, and security is handling it. We are cleared for takeoff. Please take your seat.”

“No!” I turn to her. “You don’t understand! I love him, and him being hurt because of me will kill me. Tell the captain to stop. I’m getting off.”

She lowers her head. “Unfortunately, I can’t. Mr Cainn gave strict orders to take off as soon as possible and to not let you off.”

My heart sinks. “No, you’re lying,”

She just blinks and inhales carefully.

I turn back to Rafael. One of the security guards catches up to him and pulls at his arm, making him fall to his knees. I gasp and get closer to the window.

“Please stop. Please stop chasing me,” I whisper.

“Would you like a tissue, miss?”

I touch my cheek and realise I am crying, but how could I not when he is trying to ruin himself by following me?

“If…If you need to let him go, I suggest moving away from the window. It’s the only way he will know he is defeated and cannot do anything,” the flight attendant says softly.

I look at her, but she’s looking at the floor.

I glance back at Rafael to see his eyes flick to the side of the plane. I see the moment realisation dawns on him.

I see him read the name on the side of the jet.

I see him stop fighting.

I see his mouth drop open and his eyes harden.

I’m sorry.