Jade stepped out of the car and onto the private tarmac, the sleek jet gleaming under the soft morning light. She adjusted her blazer, clutching her small suitcase as she took a deep breath. Today’s flight to Rome felt heavier than most—not because of the destination, but because of what it meant.
Back to square one, she thought. Let’s see how this goes.
As she climbed aboard the jet, the familiar hum of the engines greeted her. The cabin was immaculate as always, but Jade couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched, even though she was alone.
She rolled up her sleeves and got to work. She ensured the galley was stocked with champagne, juices, and sparkling water. The seating area was perfectly arranged, each pillow fluffed and every blanket folded neatly. She laid out trays of fresh fruit and pastries, her movements methodical and precise.
As she arranged the last of the coffee cups, the faint rumble of a car reached her ears. She peeked out of the window and saw the black SUV pulling up, a sight that made her stomach flip.
The doors opened, and there they were. Milan stepped out first, his tailored dark gray suit sharp against the morning sun. Enzo followed, his confident smirk in place as his dark eyes scanned the jet. Thiago came last, his casual swagger intact as he adjusted the sleeves of his navy blazer.
Jade quickly busied herself with pretending to adjust the trays, hoping to avoid their immediate scrutiny.
It didn’t work.
“Well, well,” Thiago said as he stepped aboard, his voice teasing. “Look who’s back.”
Jade straightened up, forcing a neutral expression. “Good morning, gentlemen,” she said politely.
“Morning,” Milan replied, his piercing blue eyes settling on her for a moment. He gave a faint nod of approval before heading toward his usual seat.
Enzo stepped closer, his smirk softening into something almost genuine. “I wasn’t sure if you’d actually show up.”
Jade shot him a look. “I said I would, didn’t I?”
“Fair enough,” Enzo said with a shrug, sliding into his seat.
Thiago, meanwhile, lingered near her, his dark eyes studying her. “You seem… tense,” he said, his tone lighter now. “Relax, Jade. We’re not here to bite your head off.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Could’ve fooled me.”
Thiago laughed, shaking his head as he finally took his seat.
As the plane taxied down the runway, Milan glanced up from his tablet, his voice breaking the silence. “Jade.”
She turned to him, her hands clasped in front of her. “Yes, sir?”
“We’ve discussed some things,” Milan began, his tone as calm and measured as ever.
Enzo leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed. “Specifically, how we’ve handled things with you.”
Jade blinked, caught off guard. “What do you mean?”
Thiago leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “We’ve been… overprotective. Too much, maybe.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Maybe?”
Milan’s lips twitched, almost forming a smile. “We’ve realized that our approach hasn’t been entirely fair to you. You’re capable, and we need to respect that.”
Jade folded her arms, narrowing her eyes slightly. “And what brought on this sudden change of heart?”
Enzo chuckled softly. “Don’t get too excited. It doesn’t mean we won’t watch out for you. But we’ll try to be less… controlling.”
Thiago grinned. “See? Progress.”
Jade studied their faces, searching for any signs of insincerity. “So, no more tracking my every move? No more lectures about staying in line?”
Milan nodded. “Within reason. You’ve proven yourself to be resourceful and intelligent. It’s time we acted accordingly.”
For a moment, Jade didn’t know how to respond. She wasn’t sure if she believed them entirely, but hearing those words felt like a small victory.
“Fine,” she said, her tone careful. “But if you break that promise, I’m done. For real this time.”
Enzo raised an eyebrow. “Noted.”