Engaged to My Sister. Obsessed With Me.

Chapter 19- DARNELL'S POV

I eyed the glass of champagne the server poured in front of me a few minutes ago. I had no interest in drinking it.

I needed something stronger. Something to take the edge off, and silence the ringing in my head.

It’s been one hell of a week. I’ve had to close a lot of business deals and sign a lot of contracts.

I leaned back slightly, loosening my grip on the armrest as the dull ache behind my eyes pulsed again.

I had a meeting with the governor three days ago, which moved the Echelon Project into its execution phase and now I can finally take a break.

I pressed the call button on the armrest, and Elena, my private flight attendant, appeared almost immediately.

“Scotch,” I ordered, without bothering to open my eyes.

“Yes, sir,” she replied softly before hurrying off.

A low chuckle came from across the cabin.

“I think I like this plane better than the other ones,” Maurice said, his annoyingly grating voice scraping against my nerves.

I didn’t give him the satisfaction of a response.

Of course he knew it was new.

It's a recent model—one of its kind. It was set to be sold in a few months but I acquired it before it hit the market.

Elena returned moments later with a bottle of scotch and a glass set neatly on a silver tray. She placed it in front of me with practiced precision before pouring.

The amber liquid caught the light as it filled the glass.

I opened my eyes then, watching it settle.

I gave her a slight nod.

She understood immediately and stepped away without another word.

I picked up the glass, and the Macallan burned its way down my throat, sharp and clean, easing some of the built-up tension sitting in my chest.

“So…” Maurice started.

“I’m finally going to meet my sister-in-law.”

I snapped my head to the side.

Shouldn't have.

He was grinning like an i***t, ear to ear, casually sipping his champagne like he hadn’t just said something that made me want to throw him off the plane.

Maurice had a way of getting under my skin like no one else.

Sometimes I wondered why I even kept him around.

Then I remembered—if we hadn’t met, I probably wouldn’t still be alive.

That usually shuts that thought down.

“When’s the wedding again?” he asked, like he was genuinely interested.

I stared at him for a second before looking away, leaning my head back and fixing my gaze on the ceiling instead.

“Does she know her brother-in-law is coming too?”

“No,” I said flatly. “She doesn’t. Because you weren’t supposed to.”

“You should be grateful I’m coming with you.”

Avoiding this conversation was clearly no longer an option.

“And why is that?” I asked, my voice flat.

“Because—”

He paused, tipping his glass back and draining the rest of it. I cracked one eye open just in time to see him swallow.

“…you have a problem.”

Here we go again.

“You’re drunk. You should shut up,” I said, unimpressed.

“Nah… I’m good.” He smacked his lips, settling deeper into his seat. “This holiday… are you—no… are we,” he corrected himself with a lazy grin, “…going there for Vanessa… or for Rhea?”

Was that even a question?

“Does it matter?”

Maurice's laugh filled the cabin—like a broken engine struggling to start.

“Darnell, I can’t with you…” he muttered, shaking his head before letting out a breath of disbelief. “You don’t even hear how crazy you sound.”

“I was invited.” I lifted my glass, bringing it to my lips. “That’s all that matters.”

I took a slow sip.

I have a week all to myself, and what better way to spend it than with the one person who intrigues me.

“All that matters?” he snapped. “Why the f**k do I even try?”

“I don’t know.”

But he seems pretty good at it.

“You’re going to be in her family house,” he continued, sitting forward now, more serious. “You better not do anything stupid.”

I drained the rest of my drink, letting the burn settle in my chest. “I wouldn’t.”

Maurice let out a short, humorless laugh. “Yes, you would. We both know the only reason you’re going is because of Rhea.”

Silence stretched between us.

“If she wasn’t there…” he added, watching me closely, “…you wouldn’t even be on this plane.”

A smile crossed my face. Maurice couldn’t just let things be. He wasn’t lying, though. I would've declined the invitation the moment Vanessa told me, but when I heard it was a family thing, I put it together that Rhea would definitely be there.

I’d been so occupied this week that I barely even got a glimpse of her.

Maurice seemed to notice my smile. “You are one sick motherfucker.”

He let out a low chuckle, leaning back in his seat. “While babysitting you, I think I might get my d**k wet too.” He turned his head slightly, eyeing me. “You think Rhea’s up to hang out?”

Silence.

I turned to him slowly.

“You can do whatever the f**k you want while we’re there. I don’t care.” My voice was calm, but my eyes locked onto his. “Stay away from Rhea Bennett.”

A challenging smile tugged at his lips. “Or else what?”

We held each other’s gaze for a moment. He knew I wasn’t joking and I knew he’d still be tempted to test it.

I leaned back into my seat, my voice low.

“You don’t want to find out.”