you,” she persisted.
The two men laughed out loud. Randle ignored them. “Princess, what am I gonna do with you?”
Lia just stared back nervously with a gleam of hope in her eyes. He hadn’t said no yet so felt there might still be a chance. One of the men grabbed Randle’s bags and carried them out the front door to the waiting car just outside. The other stayed as if waiting for him to make his decision.
Randle took in a deep breath. He reached his arm out in her direction. “C’mon,” he stated as he took her arm and led her out the door. The other man now picked up Lia’s bags and carried them out behind them.
“Yes! I knew you’d let me go! I just knew you would,” she exclaimed victoriously.
Randle just shook his head and laughed as he opened the car door and motioned for her to get in.
Jeffery then approached Randle. “It won’t take me but five minutes to pack a bag.”
“Don’t bother,” Randle retorted harshly.
“But if Lia is going I need to be there.”
“No you don’t.”
Jeffery looked surprised. “But she’s my responsibility sir.”
“No Jeffery, she’s not. Princess is MINE! And your services are not needed this time. I’ll take care of her.”
Lia was already sitting in the car but watched and listened through the open door. She too was startled at Randle’s reaction. But she wasn’t about to question his decision now for fear he might change his mind.
Finally Randle climbed into the back seat of the car and sat next to her.
Lia threw her arms around his neck once he settled into the car and kissed his cheek. “I promise not to be a pain,” she insisted.
“I’m telling you right now Princess,” he began with a domineering tone. “You had better do exactly as I say at all times or I’m gonna whip your little ass!”
Lia giggled knowing he’d never laid a hand on her before. “I promise.”
“I mean it!” he threatened.
She laid her head on his shoulder with her arms still around his neck. Randle could see the excitement on her face as they now drove toward the airport but he was not at all enthused about her presence.
The car pulled up next to Randle’s private jet and they all got out. The two other men opened the trunk and began to move the luggage from the car to the plane’s cargo area. Lia quietly followed Randle on board the aircraft. She had never flown anywhere with Randle before and this was her first time on his plane. She quickly looked all around and was aghast at its luxury. A small mini wet bar to the rear just before a small hallway with a bathroom on either side. Sleek leather benches on the side walls and matching captain’s chairs strategically placed throughout.
Lia chose one of the captain’s chairs next to the window and made herself quite comfortable. Randle took the one next to her and finally the two other men and the pilot were onboard as well. Lia had just realized she has never been outside of Texas before and was getting even more excited than ever now about their trip.
“Randle what part of Arizona are we going to?”
“Phoenix.”
“What’s in Phoenix?”
“Lot’s of people,” he joked back.
Lia grinned at his remark. “C’mon, you know what I meant. Why are we going there?”
“Quit being so nosy will ya? And I already told you, I have business to tend too.”
She clearly saw he wasn’t going to tell her anything about his business. She knew he wouldn’t to begin with and really wasn’t sure why she had asked in the first place.
The plane began to move and make its way to the runway.
“Is it scary to fly?” she then asked looking up at Randle now with slight fear in her eyes.
Randle laughed at her. “Are you sure you don’t wanna stay home?”
“Absolutely not! I’m getting sick of that place,” she responded with a smile.
The plane sat still for a moment then with so much intensity it thrust forward and