CHAPTER 5
Scarlett
A few days after Travis had visited unannounced, I’d managed to finalize the last few details of the trip. I figured we’d start with a flight to somewhere luxurious in Europe for some sightseeing, shopping, good food, and hopefully some partying. Although it was a bit cliché, after hours of internet sleuthing, I’d decided Paris had a bit of everything and would be a great first destination. We’d be there for three nights and would then take an overnight train to Prague.
After days of excitement bordering on anxiety, and hour upon hour of manic internet searches, I was finally able to relax. And when I did, I found my mind wondering back to my mysterious bodyguard…
The way he’d just turned up, standing there at the door with his body almost filling the frame…
I had to admit, I was intrigued. For a brief moment, I’d almost thought he was checking me out. I could have sworn I’d seen momentary softness in his gaze, and on some level, I hoped I hadn’t just imagined it.
Regardless, one thing was for sure—I doubted we would get any unwanted trouble on our travels with him around. Seeing him at the door had definitely made me feel safe, and I was now grateful for my dad deciding to send a bodyguard along with me. Granted, I didn’t plan on letting him know that until afterwards; I didn’t feel like listening to a whole speech of him essentially saying, ‘I told you so’.
My thoughts were interrupted by the loud ringing of my cell phone, making me jump. I’d been reclining on my bed, taking a well-earned break with a glass of champagne in quiet celebration of getting the trip booked.
I turned over onto my elbows and looked at my phone. It was Raven, probably calling for details after seeing my recent Facebook post gloating about the impending trip, in which I had tagged both her and Lonette. I took a gulp of champagne and flicked the green button across the screen of my phone. “Well if it isn’t my second favorite slut!” I said, laughing.
“Second favorite?” Raven cried in mock indignation. “You brat! I thought I was your favorite?”
I realized I was on speakerphone when I heard Lonette laughing in the background. “Nope. Lonette is my favorite. Sorry!”
Lonette laughed harder and Raven gasped. I then heard the unmistakable sound of a slap. After the play fight had ended, Raven returned to the phone. “Right. So, you’ve got everything arranged? Oh, and if you didn’t book first-class flights, I’m not coming. Just putting that out there now.”
She meant it as a joke, but I knew on some level, she was serious. She had probably never flown less than first-class in her entire life due to her dad’s career as a famous baseball player. Apparently, at the height of his career, he’d made more in endorsements per year alone than most other players earned in salaries, bonuses, and endorsements combined.
“Yes, I booked first-class, you bimbo. Well, apart from our minder. He’s in business. It’ll be easier to keep an eye on the bad guys from there, I guess.”
“Well, if he’s as hot as you said he is, he can always bunk up with me. I don’t mind sharing,” Lonette said, in a low husky voice. “Plus, it’ll give me something to do on the flight…”
“Yeah, he is hot. Sort of. Huge muscles and scary-looking, but handsome at the same time. Hands off though. He’s there to look after us, not for you two to bait him.”
“Awww. Little Scarlett wants him all to herself,” teased Raven. “That’s okay though. You can have him first. From the sounds of it, there’s plenty of him to go around…”
I could practically hear her winking at Lonette. “So, are you two all set?” I asked, deciding to change the topic. I could already tell my bodyguard would probably be a recurring subject over the next few days until they either lost interest in him, or one of them managed to get him into bed. And Travis didn’t strike me as the type to risk his job for the sake of a quickie. “The flight is in two days. We’re flying at seven, so get to my place at four. If you’re late, I’ll get my bodyguard to rough you up. And I don't mean the good kind either.”
This garnered a burst of laughter. “Okay, we’ll be there,” they chimed in unison once their laughter died down. They were so much alike that people often mistook them for sisters. They might as well have been, considering the amount of time they spent together. Lonette practically lived at Raven’s house.
“How about we come over to celebrate? I bet your dad’s got some nice champagne on ice that he won’t miss,” Raven said.
Before I could respond, Lonette chimed in, “Great idea! We’ll be over in an hour.”
“Okay, okay. Come over then. It doesn’t sound like there’s any way I’m gonna talk you out of it. Oh, and I’ve already cracked open the bubbles, so you’d better get here fast before I finish it all.”
They screamed in panic and hung up, and I couldn’t help but smile at their antics. They were pretentious, but good fun and actually quite nice to be around when they weren’t trying to egg each other on or wind someone up.
I lied back and took another sip of champagne, feeling excited about the trip all over again.
After finishing my current glass, I headed to the shower.