Chapter 35

Lacey

When Mr. Denham is within a few feet of me, he spreads his arms wide, palms out.

“Now, Lacey, come on. Let’s just sit down and work something out.”

What? That is never going to happen.

“What do you mean?” I say.

I know I can’t believe a word out of his mouth, but I prefer him talking than trying to get his hands on me.

“Let’s just relax for now. I know you have a lot to process, but we’re partners now. We can work out some kind of agreement, right?”

As if. No fucking way. But now is not the time to argue with him.

I’m obviously not going to get any help from the rest of the morons on this plane, so I have to come up with a way to get myself out of this.

“You had an agreement with the boys. We can discuss what that was and how we’ll work together after we refuel.”

Backing up a couple of steps, he gives me room to get by him and blocks the cockpit from me.

“Come on now. Why don’t you go sit down and get comfortable?”

He takes another step back, so I break for my coat, throwing it on quickly. It’s uncomfortable to bend over, strapped up with cash like this, but I grab my pants and jacket, too. Settling into my seat, I watch him go up to the cockpit to talk to the pilots.

Think, Lacey, think!

So, what are the negatives? What will get me in trouble?

The money.

The money is one thing that will get any of us in trouble. I have my passport. I’ll be a citizen of the country we’re landing in.

Really, the only thing I have done wrong is associating with the wrong people.

Fuck. My heart is breaking, too. Could anything he said have been true?

Did they all have fake names and passports? Were Adam, Sam, and Charlie even their real names? Had I been played in the worst way?

I would love to have time to berate myself about my horrendous choice in men, but there are some other pressing decisions to be made.

How am I going to get off this plane when we land? And without the money?

Well, I’m not going to be able to get off the plane with this ridiculous fur coat.

Opening it up, I quickly step into my pants and put my blazer on over my shirt, leaving everything undone.

Picking up the fur coat, I quickly rip a hole under both arms. The satin lining gives way easily on the seam. Perfect.

Now, I have holes down the arms and down the bottom hem. Putting the coat back on, I’m immediately too hot, but it’s worth it.

If I can get the most obvious money out of my pants and into the coat right now, I’ll be able to at least sit a little more comfortably.

I start pulling the cash out and drop it into the holes. Pounding, shuffling, and distributing it from the outside, I have it looking pretty good. I’m only able to get the money out of my butt between the hem and sleeves before Mr. Denham walks back out of the front.

Dammit.

It’s tricky to distribute it in the coat to avoid an obvious bulge. With my arms in the coat, the sleeves are even harder.

He only gives me a cursory glance before sitting down and immediately getting on his phone.

Slowly, I start pulling the cash out a little at a time from each area and try to get it into the coat. When he looks at me, I pretend to shiver to cover up my movements, but it’s time consuming.

The plane wheels jolt on the runway as we land.

Fuck! Time flies when you’re fucking panicking.

I look out the window at the familiar terrain, ignoring Mr. Denham sitting in the seat near me. I’ve been making myself as small as possible, but I must have slept a lot longer than I realized.

Mr. Denham’s change of plans has kept him busy on the phone for the most part, and I’ve tried to keep up. It sounds like he’s called in a few favors and has a golfing buddy who owns a private island with a small airport.

Not that it matters. My plan is to make sure I’m off this plane at this stop.

I have the upper hand. This is my country, and my word will count for something! There will be so much action going on here in the next little while that I’m sure I can get my chance.

As we taxi slowly by the airport, I see the familiar gates. So close.

The plan pulls to a stop.

Mr. Denham immediately walks to the front to talk with the pilots. I can hear him demanding an update on how long we will be here for the refueling.

I stand and turn to face the window, putting my back against everyone to get the rest of the money out of my pants. Half the problem is how sticky I am from fear and sweat. The money feels glued to me.

Glancing out the window, I see a door swing open on the side of the airport, and three men come sprinting out of the building. They’re running right for the plane.

I feel the plane start to pull away, and I watch in horror as I slowly move farther and farther from them.

Is this it? Am I stuck with this crazy, pudgy, creepy shit and wherever he takes me?

Suddenly, the plane screeches to a stop, and there’s yelling all around the plane. I look out to see the guys still running toward the aircraft.

They only get about fifty feet before the door slams open behind them, and a few chunky security guys come bouncing out.

My heart accelerates, and I feel light headed. Could they be my saviors?

As they get closer, I recognize their familiar faces coming into view.

Thank fucking god!

“Hold that fucking door!” Mr. Denham realizes what’s happening after the bang, but it’s too late.

The door opens just as one of the security personnel steps out to stop them, and Charlie deftly uses his momentum to toss him over his head, down the stairs, and into the fat one who just reached the bottom of the stairs.

If I’m not this terrified, that would have been funny.

Past them, I can see more security guards running toward the plane.

“Lacey! Lacey!” They’re all calling my name, out of breath, as they pour in the door.

Mr. Denham has retreated to stand by me, and we both watch the other security guy try to stop them before Adam knocks him out with one punch.

As he slumps down just inside the door, both pilots retreat into the cockpit, and the door locks loudly from the inside. Chickens.

“He wasn’t even going to get off the plane here! He was going to take right off after refueling,” I say quickly as Charlie storms toward us.

I’ve never been happier to see someone in my life!

Sam locks the door of the plane, effectively keeping out the rest of the security now pounding up the stairs.

“Shut up, bitch!” Spit flies from Mr. Denham’s mouth as he starts to retreat further into the plane by the serving ladies who are crouched down in their seats.

“I’ve been waiting to do this for a long time.” Charlie grabs him by the neck and just pounds him in the head.

The crunch is loud as his nose breaks, and blood starts pouring out of his face.

“My turn,” Adam states, right behind him.

Charlie releases him, and Mr. Denham weaves on his feet dramatically before Adam slams him in the stomach. He folds and crumples before Charlie pulls me into a hug, blocking my view.

“Are you okay, baby?” His comforting arms wrap around me, and my eyes start to tear up.

“I’m okay. I’m okay.”

Sniffing, I pull away and see Adam coming up behind him.

“We need to go.” Sam’s still holding the door. “Let’s get this over with.”

“Wait. One minute.”

Quickly pulling out of Charlie’s arms, I fasten myself up while they watch me and pull my passport into my hand.

Adam and Charlie flank me as Sam pulls open the door and pushes me behind him.

Security backs up with tasers out. “Arms in the air.”

We all throw our hands up as security steps down, giving us room to reach the ground.

“I was kidnapped!” I shout loudly. “Held against my will, and they saved me. Here’s my passport!”

Security spreads out, pulling the men away from me while one grabs my passport and takes a brief look at it before handing it back.

“Okay. Let’s get everyone inside and sort this out.”

Breathing a sigh of relief, I follow them in to give my statement. I have never been happier to be back home in Switzerland.