Chapter 27

Keira stared out the small oval window as the tarmac rolled beneath them, her stomach churning with a combination of takeoff nerves and sheer disbelief at how quickly her life had spun out of control.

Just two hours ago she'd been standing in her apartment in a bathrobe, arguing with Alexei about fake engagements and his father's need for damage control.

Now she was buckled into buttery leather seats aboard Alexei's jet, watching New York shrink beneath the clouds.

"Are you okay?" Alexei asked from the seat across from her, under the table, he placed his hand on her thigh just above the knee giving it a light squeeze.

She turned to look at him, taking in the crisp white shirt and dark slacks he'd changed into during their whirlwind escape from her apartment. Mitchell had arrived with a small army of security personnel and a garment bag for Alexei.

He had changed while she had gone to her room to do the same and hastily packed a suitcase for her trip to meet hi