Claire: The Forced Virgin Of The Billionaire
Chapter 61

I didn’t want to hope that he got his revenge but I did. I didn’t dwell on it for long but the idea of him fighting back was a little bit satisfying. I knew it wasn’t going to be all about me, probably more about holding a position of power and proving that he was stronger than those who took me to get to him but it was still a little bit satisfying and I suspected from the way he’d handled me in the past 12 or so hours that revenge would be at least a little bit about what was done to me.

The ride was thankfully uneventful and we got to a small private-looking airfield and boarded a private jet. Dario offered me a drink and a blanket and pillow. He told me I could lay down on one of the sofas and sleep if I was tired.

I took the pillow and blanket and thanked him and laid there but I didn’t sleep. I just sort of stared off into space, going over the past few days’ events in my head.

I caught him looking at me a few times. I didn’t know if it was curiosity, compassion, or what it was that was in his eyes but I didn’t feel uncomfortable around him today. I felt safe and it was a welcome feeling.

There were other men on the plane with us but they stayed to the opposite end of the sitting area, talking amongst themselves quietly. At one point I looked up and saw that they were watching a zombie slasher type movie and that Mexican actor was in it. He looked so much like that horrible man and I felt the tears well up again and I turned over and faced the back of the sofa so I couldn’t see the TV.

“You okay?” Dario leaned over me, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s okay, I’m okay.”

“You sure?”

“It’s stupid.”

“What’s stupid?”

“There’s an actor on that movie they’re watching that looks like one of the guys and the guy… hurt me.”

Dario’s face went ice cold, “Turn that fuckin’ s**t off!” he hollered at the guys, making me jump.

He touched my shoulder, “Sorry, it’s okay.” He backed away to his seat and then stared out the window with his mouth in a tight line.

“I’m acting like a baby.” I said and wiped the tears away.

He looked a bit like Azriel but was not as tall and had fair hair and bluish gray eyes. His facial features were quite similar, at least the angry ones as I was now noticing. His jaw tightened and he stared out the window.

I closed my eyes, deciding to try to nap until we landed.

I woke up to him tapping my arm gently, “We’re here,” he said.

Then he grabbed my suitcase and ushered me off the plane and into a waiting SUV. He signaled to the driver to get out. The driver got out and got into a black SUV parked behind it. It was just me and Dario in this vehicle.

After we left the airport he said, “I wanted a minute to talk to you.”

I looked at him expectantly but a little frightened because I had a feeling he was about to berate me for taking off on Azriel, for starting the chain of events that led to Mexico. I decided to cut him off at the pass, “Thank you for being so nice to me under the circumstances.”

“The circumstances?” he looked at me strangely.

“You know, since all this happened because I took off. You might not believe this but I hope and pray nothing happens to your brother because of it, because of me. I also wanted to tell you both, I didn’t get a chance to mention it to Azriel but they told me that if I didn’t cooperate they could easily take your pregnant sister. Maybe she needs someone to watch, needs some security.”

His jaw clenched. Then he furrowed his brows and shook his head, “Don’t do that. This isn’t your fault. Our family is under threat of some sort almost all the time. We go on living as normal because we need to in order to stay sane but believe this: this would’ve happened anyway, even if you hadn’t taken off from my sister. Earl was part of the plan and Azriel trusted him. He was Azriel’s number 1 for security for you so was the perfect person for the enemy to get to flip. Either he was planning this for a long time or that plan went into motion because he was allowed to be so close to you and it would’ve been pulled off sooner or later. The minute word got around that Azriel was getting married, that trigger got pulled. We’ve got extra security, don’t you worry. And I didn’t plan to talk to you about this part but don’t worry about my brother getting hurt; my brother is indestructible, trust me; he’ll be back tonight or tomorrow at the latest. He’ll hurry back for you. I wanted to talk to you about his feelings for you.”

I looked down at my hands.

“I know you were forced into the engagement. I also know that for some reason my brother fell head over heels almost instantly. I’m not saying ‘for some reason’ because I don’t think you’re a catch, you’re a beautiful girl, but this isn’t Azriel. He has access to an unlimited supply of beautiful girls who want him, who’d give their eye, teeth to be engaged to him, knowing full well who he is and wanting the lifestyle that comes with it. I’m telling you he’s different with you. I know my brother might not seem like the relationship type and looking at the damage you did to his face I don’t think you took too well to your situation,” he laughed, “He will never live that down by the way, thank you.”

I grimaced.

“Sorry, very inappropriate. My point is that I know my cousin can be a hard a*s but I hope you’ll give things a chance with him because I think you could be good for him. Real good.”

We were pulling into the driveway of Azriel’s house already. The gate opened to let us in and when we stopped I saw the SUV behind us. There were four guards stationed at the gates.

“Thank you,” I said, “I’m, uh, hopeful. Things feel different.”