The Power Within

Chapter Seventeen

I was staring out the small window of the jet, not really seeing what we were flying over. I was too busy thinking. There was something about the way Malcom was behaving that didn't seem to coincide with what I knew about him. I leaned my head back against the chair, and let out a heavy sigh. 

"I can't imagine how you feel right now, Kiley, or what you must be thinking. You can ask me anything, and I will answer you truthfully." 

I kept my eyes on the window. I didn't believe him for a second. There was no way in hell Malcom would answer me honestly. 

"I don't have anything I want to ask you." I replied stiffly. Whatever questions I did have bouncing around in my brain were not going to be voiced around him. 

"Alright. Well, I am going to rest for a little bit. Tony and Ray will make sure nothing happens to you. If you need a drink, or something to eat, you only have to ask, and one of them would be more than happy to assist you." 

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Malcom wiggle around until he found a comfortable spot and leaned his head back against the chair. I waiting until Malcom's breathing was even before I looked at him. I studied his face. A few strands of his black hair were down in his eyes. He had long, dark eyelashes. His nose was slightly crooked, probably from being broken. His lips looked full and soft. Nope, Kiley! I cannot think about his lips. I scolded myself. I stopped my studying and went back to staring out the window.

MALCOM'S POINT OF VIEW:

I couldn't believe I had finally found her! She was sitting on my plane, right in front of me. God, I could watch her for hours. I thought to myself. She was staring out the small window. Her profile was a thing of beauty. Her nose was small and straight. She had high cheekbones, and flawless pale skin. Her lips were plump, with the bottom one being a little bit bigger than the top. I could nibble on those lips for days. She let out a heavy sigh. I wanted to reassure her somehow.

"I can't imagine how you feel right now, Kiley, or what you must be thinking. You can ask me anything, and I will answer you truthfully." I told her. I loved being able to say her name, strong and unique, just like the woman in front of me. 

She didnt even spare me a glance. She just talked to the window as she said, "I don't have anything I want to ask you." The tone of her voice spoke more than the words. I knew she had questions, especially about us being mates. I also knew that she would probably never ask me a single thing. 

I tried, again, to convince her that I wasn't a threat. "Alright. Well, I am going to rest for a little bit. Tony and Ray will make sure nothing happens to you. If you need a drink, or something to eat, you only have to ask, and one of them would be more than happy to assist you." 

Tony and Ray were twin bear-shifters, who were completely loyal to me. They have been with me from the very beginning, there is no one else I trust more. They knew everything there was to know. They hardly ever left my side. 

I shifted in the chair until I managed to get comfortable. I leaned my head back, and let my eyes close. I hoped Kiley would relax if she thought I were asleep. I evened out my breathing, and pretended to be sleeping. After a few minutes, I felt her eyes on my face. I needed to find a way to make her believe me. There were so many things I needed to tell her, but none of it would matter unless she knew I was telling the truth. Maybe Holly and Iris could help me convince my mate that I was not the bad guy she believed me to be. 

KILEY'S POV

I hadn't meant to fall asleep. I meant to make a plan to get my parents and I away from this crazy man. But after the insane days I've had, my body needed sleep. I woke up to someone's hand on my shoulder. I looked up to find my dad staring down at me. 

"Hey, Kiley-Ann, you okay?" He asked, his voice low.

"Yeah, Daddy-en. I'm good. How are you and Mom-ra?" I put my hand over his and squeezed. I glanced around, but didn't see Mom. "Is she still sleeping?"

"No, she is in the bathroom, freshening up." Dad squeezed my hand before he went to take his seat. 

I stretched my arms over my head to get rid of some of the stiffness in my back. The door, behind me, opened to reveal my mom. She was in a different outfit, and she had her blond hair pulled back back away from her face. She smiled when she saw me. 

"Hello, my love. How are you doing?" She knelt down to kiss my check. 

"I'm fine. How are you, did you rest?" 

"Yes, I feel fine, my love. Try not to worry about me." She answered as she took her seat across from my dad. 

I could feel Malcom staring at me, but continued to ignore him. Mom and Dad looked at me, questioningly as I stood up, "I'm just going to use the bathroom," I said with a small huff. 

I opened the door. Straight ahead was the small bedroom, but to my left was another door. I went through the door to the bathroom. 

The bathroom was unlike any airplane bathroom I've ever been in. The only similarity it shared was the toilet. Everything else looked like it belonged in an expensive hotel room. I rolled my eyes at the extravagance of it all. What a waste. I thought. It did look nice, but it was only a bathroom. I looked in the mirror after using the toilet. My hair was a nightmare, and I wanted to brush my teeth. 

Malcom has my bags! I smacked my forehead. I walked out of the bathroom, and then out of the bedroom.

"Where are my bags?" I asked.

Malcom stood and opened a compartment above his head. I hadn't noticed that earlier. I have to pay better attention. All three of my bags were inside. I grabbed the one with my clothes and personal items. I went back to the bathroom. Brushing my hair took forever, but I finally managed to detangle all it. I braided it into one big braid so I wouldn't have to worry about it for a while. I brushed my teeth and washed my face. I stepped into the bedroom to change my clothes. I changed into a pair of skinny jeans, and my favorite black hoodie. 

I shoved all of my dirty clothes back into my bag. I sat on the edge of the bed, and put my head in my hands. I had to protect my parents. I needed to get us away from Malcom and his goons. And then, as if that wasn't hard enough, then we had to find our way back to the states, without our passports. I didn't know about Mom and Dad, but I hadn't packed mine. My passport was sitting back at my apartment, in my bedroom. A lot of good that does me!  This might be impossible. I let out a small groan. 

I took a few deep breaths. Impossible or not, I have to find a way. I thought, determined to free myself and my parents. I would get us away from Malcom, no matter what it took.