Chapter 5

Madison’s POV

We stepped out into the hands of reporters, flashing lights and cameras were everywhere with various questions being thrown about…

“Miss, Miss, is this a whirlwind romance or a well planned business merger?”

“Should we be expecting a baby soon?”

“How’s the family taking the news - are they trilled or suspicious?”

“Madison would you say you’re in this just to better your lifestyle?”

Tom and some other body guards I didn’t notice before were trying to clear a path for us to walk, at this point I was stuck to Ethan’s body like a magnet as I tried to steal a little out of the confidence he propelled off. Ethan stopped shortly to address the multitude “ A press conference will be held and all your questions will be answered guys, have a nice day.”

We finally made it to where three SUV’s were packing and I was gently moved towards the one in the middle while the guards got in the other two. “To the airport,” Ethan instructed the driver.

I relaxed back against the comfy leather seat, grateful that we made it out of there - only to hear my phone ringing.

On my phone screen was Harper’s name; excited to hear a familiar voice, I hurriedly picked the call not knowing it was on speaker, “Bitch!! I can’t believe you ran off to marry that sexy, Greek god, fine ass man while I’ve been answering calls from your sister trying to get to you all morning about your mum.” I instantly tried putting off the volume but the stupid phone was not responding, “ I want to hear all the juicy details on how those marvelous pacs feel like when you land and trust me, I’ll drag it out of you if I have to.” Finally, able to put off the speaker button, I avoided Ethan’s face as much as possible to respond; “Harper, darling, kindly shut up…he’s right here beside me, we’ll speak when I get back and I’ll try contacting my sister.” I could hear the driver laughing from the front of the car, I can’t believe I forgot how eccentric Harper gets for a moment there, “Alright babes,enjoy and don’t do what I wouldn’t do, love ya!” On that note she ended the call, to be frank, there’s a very short list of what Harper wouldn’t do.

I dropped the phone into my purse, finally gaining the courage to look at Ethan, “Sexy, Greek god, fine ass man, hmm can’t say that wasn’t a big ego booster,” he said while trying to hold in his laughter. “Gosh, I was hoping you didn’t hear that by some miracle,” I responded while covering my face in shame; knowing I was probably as red as a tomato.

“ If all your friends are like Harper, then I can’t wait to meet them; would be a nice stress reliever, I certainly hope you view me the same way she does though,” he teased back while smirking. “Thank goodness, she’s the only friend I have, it would be exhausting having multiple Harpers running around, I blame Harper for making your ego as big as your biceps.”

“Well, well, well, someone has been dutifully paying attention to my body. Would you like another glance?”

Arrgh, I shot myself in the foot with that one, thankfully we arrived at the airport right then and I rushed to get my door opened before further disgracing my lineage, leaving Ethan in a whirl of laughter. We were directed through an entrance leading to an open tarmac, a jet waited on the tarmac like it owned the sky, its entirety gleamed under the airport lights, sleek and unapologetic, the kind of aircraft that didn’t just transport people—it announced them. Getting to it, I hesitated at the bottom of the stairs, one hand gripping the suit jacket tighter around me. I should have realized we’ll be taking a private jet, to be rich is divine.

“Coming?” Ethan prompted, breaking me out of my thoughts.

Climbing in, the cabin was nothing like commercial flights—no cramped seats, leaving everything spacious and luxurious. Cream leather seats. Polished wood. Soft lightening. A low table between facing seats already held two glasses and a bottle I didn’t recognize but instinctively knew was expensive just like everything else in here.

“Well be airborne in five minutes,” the flight attendant informed us. We both made our way to the seats and got settled, “You didn’t say it was going to be a private jet.”

“You didn’t ask,” he responded with a corner of his mouth lifted.

The engines hummed louder and the plane began to move. A heave silence settled. I exhaled shakily. “You’re afraid of flying,” he said, not a question. “I’m not afraid,” I lied, “ just don’t like not being in control.” At that he looked at me with a hot piercing gaze then responded, “ neither do I.” He reached for the glasses, pouring wine for himself and water for me, then gently slid my glass towards me. I stared at it.

“Is this your way of distracting me?” A moment of silence passed then he responded, “ Is it working?”

I took the glass, more to give my hands something to do than because I was thirsty. The cold liquid , pleasantly, steadied my nerves. I looked towards him then, trying to get a read on him, “How is he when not trying to keep up appearances? Is he emotionally guarded, easy going, ambitious or playful?” I became aware of him then,the way his unbuttoned shirt drew attention to his physique, the way his voice dropped when he spoke softly to the pilot through the intercom, the way the cabin seemed to bend around his presence, as if it had been designed for him specifically.

“You’re staring.” He interrupted

“I’m thinking.”

“Dangerous.”

“For me or for you?”

Again with that smile. “I guess we’ll find out.”

The plane hit a small pocket of turbulence. I jolted, instinctively reaching out for something to hold on to

My hand landed on his arm. Solid. Warm.

Neither of us moved.

The moment stretched—electric, dangerous, unmistakable.

Slowly, deliberately, he turned his arm so my fingers rested fully against his. Not gripping. Not pulling away. Just… acknowledging.

“You’re safe,” he said quietly. “I won’t let anything happen to you up here.”

I met his gaze, pulse racing, the truth settling uncomfortably in my chest. I believed him.

Let’s hope what we’ll face upon landing won’t be too great of a disaster. With that thought on my mind. I leaned back against my seat—hoping to catch some sleep.