Silence Reveals Hidden Answers’ by Michael Anderson novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Harvey Prescott.

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We haven’t even made it ten steps toward the jet when I hear the pounding footsteps of David and Nate behind us on the sand. I don’t blame them for running. The wedding just turned into a public catastrophe. Two weeks of this farce, all for evidence of his contract alliance to rain down from the sky.

I have a suspicion about the whole thing. It starts with an R and ends with an N. Reign.

Baxter looked shocked. And Reign’s whispered to Jennifer that something funny was going to happen. That wasn’t a guess. It was a boast.

Since I know that the weasel who stole the briefcase from my casino was working for Baxter. How did that contract papers end up in Reign Moretti’s hands? Simple. He made it his business to find it. He and Jenna crashed this wedding for one reason: to light the fuse. Jenna wants to fix Baxter as an obstacle between me and Jennifer.

Francis Prescott didn’t let that plan flow but regardless, I see what Jenna and Reign did there.

Years ago, I told Jenna about Jennifer and about her past with Baxter. At the club, she saw him watching Jen. She connected the dots. If Baxter is forcibly married off, the “problem” disappears in her twisted mind. And her big brother was all too happy to help orchestrate the chaos.

“Sir, we’re ready to fly. How many passengers on board?” the pilot calls from the top of the stairs.

I turn, about to answer, and my jaw tightens. Emily is hurrying over too, waving, dragging a suitcase with that ridiculous little dog of hers in tow. And Nate and David, who I’d frankly forgotten to count.

“Six of us, then.” I mutter. “Come on.” I guide Jennifer toward the stairs. When she gets in, she pauses with a look of awe on her face as she takes in the jet. The polished white and brown leather interior. I spent a fortune on this thing for moments exactly like this. To move when and where I need to, without the circus of commercial airports. The next ten hours in here with her would have been perfect if it was just us.

“Welcome, sir. Welcome, ma’am.” the hostess greets us.

Jennifer bites her lip, still looking around,

“Should I get you both some warm towels?”

“Sure. To to the VIP area.” I instruct.

Her eyes light up. “A VIP area?”

“Yeah. It’s got a jacuzzi, a bed, private seats… for both of us.”

As I’m telling Jen the fantasy, it’s shattered before it even forms.

“Sorry to barge in, but I have a meeting in New York and I need a flight.”

12:41 Wed, Feb 4 M…

Chapter 39

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I know the voice. I refuse to believe it until I turn and see her standing there. Jenna. And of course, looming behind her like a shadow, Reign.

“Hell no.” I spit the words like a spartan.

“Uh…” Jenna blinks, playing clueless. As if she doesn’t understand why she isn’t welcome on my private jet. As if she doesn’t understand that she is being a leech.

“I said hell no. It’s already too many people, and I don’t…” I bite down on the rest because Jennifer is here.

Real bloody truth is….. I don’t want your obsessive, manipulative presence near the woman I love, or your knife-happy brother who’s probably here to try and kill me because I won’t fuck you. Saying it out loud would nuke any peace I have with Jennifer so I tell my heart and organs.

“No.” I repeat.

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Jennifer looks at me with confusion in her eyes.

“Both of you, get the fuck out-❞

“Harvey.” She touches my arm. “Why are you so rude?”

“Because-”

“Because?” Jenna cuts in. “Is there a reason you don’t want me here, Harvey Prescott? Is there something you’d like to tell everyone about why you hate my presence?”

She says it with a calculated chill that makes Jennifer’s gaze snap to her. This is the move. Put me on the spot. Force me to either reveal the ugly history or look like an unreasonable jerk.

I feel the trap snap shut. For now, I have to swallow the truth. For Jennifer’s sake, and for the ten-thousand- foot altitude we’re about to share with a predator.

My jaw aches from clenching. I look from Jenna’s triumphant smirk to Jennifer’s worried eyes.

“Fine. Get on. But stay in your lane.” The warning in my voice is for Reign, who hasn’t said a word, just watches with those dead, amused eyes.

“Thanks.” He pats my shoulder as he walks past.

I stalk into the private VIP suite and let out a low huff yet it’s me being in control. Even through the closed door, I can hear Emily’s voice, already dissecting the wedding disaster as if we weren’t just part of the fleeing audience.

David slides the door open and bumps into me with a serious face.

“Dear Emily, she keeps repeating things…and that Jenna… you were not wrong about her.” He lowers his voice. “How long are you gonna do this? She’s gonna keep walking you like a dog?”

“I don’t know, David. I don’t-”

12:41 Wed, Feb 4 M…

Chapter 39

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He puts a hand on my shoulder, whispering again. “It’s best you do it quick, before she becomes friends with Jennifer. She’s smiling a lot at her… and I don’t know about women, but that cannot be a good sign.”

I just glare at him. He removes his hand with a hesitant chuckle and a cough.

“I don’t want anyone in here. You guys can have the other half of the jet.” I say, closing the sliding door between us.

So much for the wedding. Baxter’s going to be hating his life from now on. Honestly, I would’ve laughed at the spectacle if I wasn’t busy figuring out how the hell Reign got his hands on those contract papers. J. When I get back, the first thing I’m doing is sniffing out who this ‘J’ is. And I’ll do it myself.

“Harv?”

“Yeah.” I come out of the private washroom, pulling a fresh, looser shirt over my head, And then I see Jennifer, shutting the door to the suite behind her. The silk of her dress, that cross-neck design is corrupt against her soft breasts before falling away… it’s gorgeous. Let’s not even talk about how the fabric skims her hips and waist, that sultry essence that should have made this the happiest damn day of my life. I’ve never had sex on a jet.

We were going to…

Jennifer pushes a strand of hair from her neck, and my train of thought derails completely. I mean, we still can. We can be silent. I’ll be gentle. I’ll kiss her so thoroughly no one will hear a thing.

“Okay??” she says, snapping me back. “I think you should tell me now if there’s some… war front between you, Jenna, and Reign. I kind of sensed some sort of tension. I—”

“I wanted us to have sex on the jet. That’s the problem. That’s why I’m irritated. Plus, you know I don’t like anyone. But you.” I nod towards the staff member who silently enters, places my laptop on a table, and exits.

Jennifer turns to face me fully. “Yeah, I forgot. Before you were even this,” she says, gesturing to all of me…the tattoos, the empire. “You liked only me.”

“Right.” I close the distance between us until I’m right in front of her. “Did you not hear the part where I said sex on the jet?”

“I pretended not to.”

“Liar.” A faint smile touches my lips. “It’s all you think about. Riding me.” I watch the blush heat her cheeks as she sits on the edge of the plush sofa.

“No… no, you don’t know that. I don’t. Even if I wanted to-”

“Because you do want to.” My gaze flicks to the far end of the suite where a wide, inviting bed is nestled in an alcove.

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