Chapter 64

ISABELLA

The soft light of dawn filtered through the windows as we boarded the private jet, the hum of the engines a gentle backdrop to the morning stillness. I glanced around, taking in the sleek interior and the comfortable seats that promised a few hours of luxury. Jax and Knox wasted no time, settling into their seats and falling asleep almost instantly. The past few days had been a whirlwind, and it was clear they needed the rest.

I, on the other hand, felt too restless to sleep. The excitement of the getaway mingled with the lingering unease that had been gnawing at me for days. As I watched Asher move around the cabin, checking on a few things, I decided to take the opportunity to ask the question that had been on my mind.

“How are the three of you able to be away from the office at the same time?” I asked, keeping my voice low so as not to disturb Jax and Knox.

Asher looked up from what he was doing, a small smile playing on his lips. He took the seat next to me, his hand resting casually on the armrest between us. “We’ve been preparing for this, Isa. We’re getting closer to taking back the throne, and that means we need to start getting our employees used to the idea that we won’t always be there.”

His words made sense, and I could see the logic behind them. If they were going to reclaim their rightful place, they couldn’t be tied down to their offices all the time. They needed to trust their team to handle things in their absence. But even as I nodded, accepting his explanation, the feeling that they were hiding something lingered at the back of my mind.

“I believe you,” I said softly, looking into his eyes. “But… I can’t help feeling like there’s more to this.”

Asher’s gaze softened, and he reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’ve always been too perceptive for your own good,” he teased gently, his fingers lingering on my cheek. “But I promise you, Isa, this trip is all about us. No more work, no more stress. Just you, me, Jax, and Knox.”

His touch, his voice, the way he was looking at me—it was all so distracting, pulling me away from my doubts. I felt the tension in my shoulders start to melt as he leaned in closer, his breath warm against my skin. “I’ve been looking forward to this,” he murmured, his lips brushing against my ear. “Just us, together, with nothing to worry about.”

I couldn’t help but smile, the warmth of his words chasing away some of the lingering unease. Maybe I was overthinking things. Maybe this was exactly what we needed—a break from everything, a chance to reconnect and enjoy each other’s company.

“I have too,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Asher’s smile widened, a playful glint in his eyes. “Good. Because I plan on making sure you have the time of your life.”

I laughed softly, feeling the last of my worries slip away, at least for the moment. “Is that a promise?”

“More than a promise,” he replied, his voice low and teasing. “It’s a guarantee.”

Asher’s flirty attitude was working its magic, and I found myself relaxing into the moment, letting go of the doubts that had been plaguing me. Maybe I didn’t need to know everything right now. Maybe I could just enjoy this time with them and trust that whatever they were keeping from me would come out when the time was right.

For now, I was content to let Asher’s charm sweep me away, to focus on the excitement of our trip and the promise of what was to come. But even as I leaned into him, letting his warmth surround me, I couldn’t completely shake the feeling that there was still something they weren’t telling me.

That little voice in the back of my mind remained, a quiet reminder that there were secrets lurking beneath the surface. And eventually, I’d have to uncover them. But for now, I was willing to let it rest. At least for a little while longer.

ASHER

As we emerged from the small, private room on the jet, Isabella's laughter still echoed softly in my ears, a pleasant reminder of the time we’d just shared. She looked relaxed, her worries seemingly forgotten, at least for the moment. But as much as I wanted to be lost in the afterglow, my mind kept circling back to the darker reality that lurked just beneath the surface.

Isabella had been worried—too perceptive for her own good, as always. She knew we were hiding something from her, and I hated the thought of keeping secrets. But this was different. This was necessary.

As Isabella settled back into her seat, her eyes closed in contentment, I couldn’t help but admire how peaceful she looked. It was a stark contrast to the turmoil churning inside me. She had no idea about the darkness we were hiding, and I intended to keep it that way.

I hadn’t told her about Dominic. I couldn’t. The truth was too dangerous, too damning. What we had done to him—what I had done—was something that could never come to light. Dominic had been a threat to Isabella. He knew too much, I went to far, and if he had ever decided to use that knowledge against us, everything would have been lost.

So we made the decision. Jax, Knox, and I agreed that Dominic had to be eliminated. There was no other option. It was a brutal choice, one that haunted me even now, but it was necessary.

We had gone to great lengths to cover our tracks. We’d hired someone who bore a strong resemblance to Dominic to use his credit card around town, creating a trail that made it look like he was still out there, living his life, just far away from all of us. We’d arranged for a plane ticket to a distant country, making it seem like he had vanished on his own terms.

And then there was the message I’d sent to Amanda, Dominic’s mother. A cold, detached explanation that he needed space, that he was leaving everything behind to start fresh. It was a harsh lie, but a believable one. I’d hoped it would be enough to keep her from searching too hard, from asking too many questions.

As far as Isabella was concerned, Dominic had simply walked away. It was the story we’d crafted, the one she believed. But I knew the truth, and the weight of that secret felt like a noose around my neck. If she ever found out—if she ever knew what we’d done—it would destroy her. And us.

I reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently. She opened her eyes and smiled at me, a soft, loving smile that made my chest tighten. I returned the smile, doing my best to hide the guilt gnawing at me from the inside.

“Everything okay?” she asked, her voice light and carefree.

“Yeah,” I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil within me. “Everything’s perfect.”

And for now, it was. But the lie we’d created was fragile, and I knew that if it ever shattered, it would take everything down with it. I could only hope that Isabella would never have to know the truth. That she would never have to face the darkness that we had buried deep beneath the surface.