Around the World in 80 Men Boxed Set 31-35 (63 page)

“It's
life, Morgan. Yes.. because I traveled so much, I was at risk more
than others. I was never involved in a plane crash, thank goodness,
but once on a train in Germany, it derailed and killed seven people
around me. It was horrific. But, obviously, it had nothing to do with
my career choice. Three housewives, one child, an older gentleman who
had just retired and two business men died that day. Again, what they
did with their lives had nothing to do with that unfortunate day.”
Julianne took another breath, and told Morgan a little more of what
was needed out in the open. “Morgan, I was stalked twice. I was
beaten to a bloody pulp once. Of course, that was in the beginning
and why I chose to work towards running my own operation. I knew that
there would still be risks, but I did my best to make sure all the
girls are safe.” Morgan's eyes moved to her own lap, not
wanting Julianne to sense anything that resembled blame for what
happened to her at the hands of Carlos. Morgan was well aware that
Julianne had did her best to keep things like that from happening.

“Morgan,
there are bad people everywhere. You could find yourself the object
of attention by a lunatic just by being seen in the grocery store at
the wrong time. You know this.” Morgan looked up and nodded. It
was true, Carlos could just as easily picked her out of a crowd in
the street and decided he would have her. In face, Morgan thought, he
had done that several times in his life and wasn't quiet about
telling her the details. “I hate that you've gone through that
mess with Carlos, and if you find that you can't do this job any
longer, you'll have my love and support in whatever you do.”
Morgan's teas fell instantly, and she wrapped her arms around
Julianne's neck tightly.

“I'm
alright, Julianne. I promise, I'm alright.” Morgan spoke
through her tears, and meant every word. It was true, nothing bad
happened because she was an escort. Carlos, the plane, nor Ernesto
had a thing to do with it. If anything, Morgan knew for a fact that
she was a survivor, and that she had been given the gift of allowing
her life to continue, when so many others did not. She let go of
Julianne, and wiped her cheeks quickly. “So many people died. I
feel like I need to live... for them.... for me... for the miracle
that I've been given. I'll probably never understand why I was
spared, but I'll always do my best to make the most of my life.”
Julianne nodded, as Morgan spoke the words that Julianne had already
been thinking. “And...,” Morgan wiped the rest of the
moisture from her face before reaching into her bag, “can you
give these to Markus and Jules?” Julianne took the envelopes
and nodded as she put them in her bag.

To
Markus, Morgan withdrew two thousand dollars to help him get home,
and to get a decent set of clothes. Jules was also given the same
amount, mostly to fix the heater in her home that she'd apologized
for when the trio arrived. It was on its last leg, and she more than
deserved a new one. She also wrote a long thank you note, detailing
how very much she'd meant to Morgan and how grateful she was for all
that she and her sister had done.

“That's
you.” The flight was announced loudly, and Morgan wrapped her
arms around Julianne's neck tightly. “Okay, you're crushing me,
child.” Julianne giggled and handed Morgan her small bag. “Let
me know when you make it to Belize. And let me know if you plan to
see Gil before your official week starts. Promise?” Morgan
promised, and hugged her
mom
one last time.

“I
love you, Julianne. Thank you for everything.”

“I
love you too.” The women wiped their eyes as they parted, and
Julianne watched Morgan walk around the corner, and disappear. “Be
safe, Morgan.” Julianne checked her watch once again. It would
be a five hour flight, so she would start calling Morgan around noon.
Yes, she smiled at herself as she left the airport, she certainly was
the closest thing to a mom that Morgan had. She also loved that
Morgan was the closest thing to a daughter that she would have.
“We're a fine pair, child.”

“Hi,
I'm Shauna.” A loud woman with short spiked black hair greeted
Morgan as she placed her bag in the overhead compartment. Morgan
smiled and gave her a slight nod. Truth was, Morgan's pain medication
was already taking effect, and all she wanted to do was sleep before
landing in Belize. “Are you ready for this?” Morgan sat
down and gave the woman a questioning look. “Flying? I mean,
you know, a flight heading to Belize went down earlier this week.
It's kind of eerie, don't you think?” Morgan kept her emotions
to herself, and simply nodded again. “Are you flying for
pleasure or business?” Morgan cleared her throat and took her
phone out of her pocket to check it one last time before shutting it
off. “I'm actually on business. I work for the Freeport
Gazzette.” She looked quite proud of her announcement, but
Morgan had no idea what she was talking about. “The newspaper?
Anyway, I'm hoping to find a few survivors from that flight, and
there's no better chance than going to their destination, right?”
Shauna smiled and took out her notebook. She was obviously going to
take notes of everything she did during her business trip. “I
know, this is a shot in the dark, but did you happen to know anyone
on that flight?” Shauna grabbed her pen and held it against the
white paper in case Morgan said anything important. Sadly, for the
reporter, Morgan simply shook her head.

“I'm
sorry, but I've had a long week and I'd like to just get some sleep
before we land.” Shauna nodded and finally seemed to notice the
faded bruising on Morgan's face.

“What
happened to you?” The rude question left Morgan speechless. At
least, for a moment.

“I
got into a fight with a nosy reporter.” Shauna laughed and
nodded. She took the not-so-subtle hint, and changed the subject.
“I'm a little nervous about flying. I'm usually not, but with
the crash and all...”

Morgan
nodded again, and turned her head in the direction of the opposite
side of the plane. She wondered if it were possible to change seats,
because she would never get any rest next to that woman.

“Oh
my god, that guy was on TV when they covered the crash! I think he
was a first responder. Hey! Can I talk to you?” Shauna crashed
into Morgan's leg on the way out, and didn't seem to notice that she
most likely left another bruise on Morgan's body.

“Please,
if there's a god, make her sit somewhere else.” As if her plea
was heard, the woman planted herself next to the fireman, and told
the flight attendant that she planned to stay there. “Thank
you.” Morgan whispered her gratitude before yawning loudly.

*****

Gil
checked the time after ending a call with one of his employees. He
was hoping to have his vacation start that morning, and to last over
the following two weeks, but three phone calls that morning from a
few of his staff had reminded him that a true vacation might not
happen.

He
shook his head and tucked his phone into his jacket. He leaned
against the hot brick wall outside of baggage claim and pulled at the
expensive material of his jacket, making sure it was straight.
“Fucking idiots.” The last call had been about a pipe
that burst on a toilet on one of his ships. “A goddamn pipe.
That's what you're going to bother my vacation for.” He shook
his head again. He loved his brother, but wondered sometimes if the
man was cut out to be second in charge of the fleet. Another call
rang from his pocket and he pulled it out quickly, not bothering to
look at the screen before answering. “Speak. I swear, if you
say another word about a fucking pipe, I'll...”

“
Gil?”
Morgan found her legs frozen to the sidewalk, as her eyes met a
familiar face. She wasn't expecting him to be there...in fact, she
had been looking forward to a few days to enjoy on her own. Yet,
there he was. She looked to the white cab parked in front of her, and
to the driver who threw his hands in the air as if to ask if she were
joining him. Morgan put her index finger in the air, telling him to
wait a moment. “Are you Gil?” she asked again.

It
had to be him. The prominent jaw she'd seen in his photo, lined by
the perfectly groomed beard, that led into a goatee around his full
lips. Thick black hair, each strand, Morgan believed would be held in
place by hurricane force winds. Deep brown eyes, thick brows, tanned
skin. He was wearing a suit, tailored perfectly to his body, and
probably more expensive than anything she'd ever owned. Even under it
though, she could tell his body was firm, and well taken care of.

“
Dale,
let me call you back.” Gil's eyes remained fixed upon Morgan as
he pushed his phone into his pocket once again. “I am.”
He pushed himself off the wall with his foot and quickly closed the
distance between them. “You don't look like, Todd.” Gil
took one of Morgan's hands in his and kissed the top lightly.

Morgan
giggled, “no, I'm definitely not Todd. Wait,” Morgan
thought. “you weren't expecting me?”

Gil
looked at his watch, then looked through the glass doors that Morgan
had walked out of. “I'm expecting Todd in about ten minutes.”
His brows came together tightly, then loosened as a smile took over
his lips. “You're Morgan?”

“
I
am.” Morgan felt her cheeks heat as her name moved across his
lips.

“
And,
you're early.” Morgan nodded. “Okay. Well...” Gil
reached back into the pocket of his pants and pulled out a set of
keys, then handed them to Morgan. “Give me a few minutes, and
I'll take you where ever it is you'd like to go. Do you already have
a hotel reserved?”

Morgan
shook her head as she took the keys in her hand.
Holy shit.
“No.”

“
You're
welcome to stay with me, or I'll set you up for the rest of the
week.” He pointed to his left, at the black vehicle parked
along the sidewalk. “Make yourself comfortable.” With
that, Gil fixed his jacket once more, and walked inside the building,
leaving Morgan and her luggage in his wake.

“
Holy
shit,” Morgan spoke again, that time audible. “A
Ferrari.” She gripped her bags more tightly and looked around.
She hadn't been expecting to meet Gil at the airport and wasn't
entirely sure of her next move. “Actually, I thought I'd be on
my way to a long bubble bath right now.” A soft laugh escaped
her lips and she took a few steps toward the car. It was unlike
anything she'd ever seen in person, and Morgan had a feeling that Gil
was in his own class, one she had not yet established. Not just
judging by his vehicle, but the way he carried himself. He was cocky,
but in a sexy way. “You're welcome to stay with me,”
Morgan huffed again in a sarcastic laugh. “You already knew I'd
agree. Well, maybe I won't.” She hit the button on the
Ferrari's key and popped open the trunk. It was much smaller than
expected and for the third time, Morgan laughed. “Where in the
hell do you expect me to put this?”

“
I
suppose I didn't think that far ahead.” Gil's calm voice made
her jump, and Morgan was embarrassed for speaking aloud. “Ah,
shit. Todd, I'm going to call a cab for ya. I only have two
seats...and well, she's prettier than you, buddy.”

“
Fuck
you, too, brother.” Todd threw his head back as he laughed.
“I'll call myself a cab, you go on.” Morgan wasn't sure
if the two men really were
brothers
but it was clear they had
a close bond regardless. “Talk to ya, later.”

Gil
gave Todd a playful gesture by shoving him in the back as he called
for a ride, then turned to Morgan. “He's a nut.”

“
I
didn't mean to...I mean, I can get a cab. I know I wasn't part of
your plans...” Gil had already placed one of Morgan's bags in
the trunk, and she dropped her hand over his as he grabbed the
second. “Seriously, I didn't mean to interrupt your day...”

“
Morgan,
he doesn't care,” Gil pointed toward Todd. “Besides,”
Gil spoke more loudly for Todd to hear, “I'm bigger than he is,
and always will be!” Todd laughed as he walked away, but turned
to remind Gil of his place.

“But
I'm older and wiser....and I always will be.”

Morgan
laughed at the banter between the two men, then shook her head at the
reality. “Your poor mother.”

“
I
don't know how she did it either. And as a bonus, we have another
brother and a sister that you'll also meet.” Gil laughed and
placed his hand on the small of Morgan's back, guiding her to the
passenger side of the car. He opened the door, and Morgan carefully
sat inside, as if the seats were made of glass. “You're not
going to break the car,” he teased. “Later, Todd.”