Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

Kat

T he Mardraggon jet we're taking to France is ridiculously sumptuous. My family has a jet too, but it's small and meant to fly shorter distances. We use it mainly to travel to shows around the United States while our horses are transported by haulers.

But this jet… wow! The cabin is segmented into multiple zones to include a lounge area, dining/meeting space, and a private rest area toward the back. In between the cabin and the cockpit is a galley where a flight attendant is able to prepare almost any type of food or drink we might want during our trip across the Atlantic.

The central feature is a luxurious seating arrangement configured for both relaxation and dining. On each side of the plane, there's a polished retractable wooden table with two plush chairs on each side that face one another. The chairs are covered in the softest cream leather I've ever felt and ergonomically designed so I feel like I'm floating. Sylvie had fun playing with all the settings which include warmers, cooling vents and even massage.

The interior is done in all leather, high-end wood trim and chrome. Custom carpeting in navy and gold bearing the family's dragon logo in the center runs the length of the jet. There's a high-definition entertainment system as well as a variety of light settings and individual climate controls, depending on your mood. There's even a sofa that converts into a bed and a full-size bathroom in the back with luxurious toiletries and fluffy towels.

The flight attendant approaches us with a tray expertly balanced in her hand. She sets a Shirley Temple in front of Sylvie, who leans forward for a sip through the thin straw. The attendant is beautiful, early twenties, dressed in a pair of navy palazzo pants and a white blouse with a silk tie around her neck. Her makeup is flawless and I can't help but notice the longing looks she shoots toward Gabe.

He's ignoring her for now, focused on a newspaper he brought to read.

Sylvie fishes into the drink and grabs the cherry floating on top before plopping it in her mouth. The attendant sets a sparkling water in a cut crystal glass before Gabe and then one with a Diet Coke for me.

"Will there be anything else?" she asks, her eyes focused only on Gabe.

"No thank you," he replies, his full attention never leaving whatever story he's reading. She offers me and Sylvie a bland smile and heads back to the galley.

Gabe's head lifts and he glances at my drink with a teasing smirk. "You know that stuff is crap for your body, right?"

I roll my eyes, picking up the glass and lifting it in a mock toast. "Thank you, Dr. Mardraggon. But I'll take my chances. I was up late last night and need the caffeine."

Something close to worry flickers over his face and he nods toward the couch. "Why don't you take a nap?"

"I think I'd rather suffer," I say with a smile and then turn to Sylvie. "Good drink?"

She shrugs and picks it up, forgoing the tiny straw to take a delicate sip. "Think I can have some more cherries?"

Gabe says yes at the same time I say no.

I pin a hard look at Gabe. "Those are full of sugar and bad for the body."

Gabe inclines his head with a smirk. "Touché."

We've only been in the air for about twenty minutes and Sylvie is finally starting to unwind from the excitement. She's been chattering nonstop about everything she wants to show us in Saint-émilion, including her friends, her favorite shops and most importantly, the chateau and winery. She's a child who had utter freedom inside an idyllic lifestyle. She was a girl who ran among the vineyards with her dog on her heels and while I know her life with us will be just as amazing, I find myself drawn to the magic of Sylvie's enthusiasm.

It makes me immensely grateful that Ethan decided to let her do this. I'm also grateful that my brothers agreed to take over my duties, enabling me to take this trip. Granted, they still grumbled about what an asshole Gabe is every time I ran into them the last few days. But nothing can dampen my anticipation of seeing France for the first time.

"I think I'm going to watch a movie," Sylvie announces and then reaches over to her backpack. Pulling out an iPad and a set of headphones, I watch as she puts on The Hunger Games . She's read the books and is now completely obsessed with the movies, having watched them all more than once.

Gabe and I share a smile, a silent agreement of our mutual happiness for this experience for Sylvie. It's a rare moment of connection and one that does not go unnoticed over how good that makes me feel. I know I should feel guilty for such thoughts, or perhaps I should be chastising myself for getting drawn back to this man in a personal way. But the truth is Gabe and I have rekindled a personal connection that transcends the feud and even our bitter breakup. Sylvie's obviously the catalyst and I have no choice but to see where this goes.

"Are you interested in going over the schedule of events?" Gabe asks.

I blink at him, a little confused, but then I realize he's talking about all the things we have to accomplish on this trip.

"Sure," I reply easily.

"Why don't you come sit on this side," he says, pulling his laptop out of a leather satchel. "That way you can see my computer."

Sylvie doesn't even look up from her movie as I undo my seat belt. Gabe slides over to the chair closest to the window and fires up his laptop as I take the seat next to him. The smell of his cologne is a little too tantalizing and evokes strong memories of our times together. He still wears the same scent, something I noticed when I fell off Shadow and found him hovering over me in the barn.

"You need to buckle up," he says, and before I can even think to slap his hands away, he's fastening my belt.

He's so nonchalant about it while my pulse races, but then he's pulling up his calendar and launches into what we have planned for each day, including a tour of the winery and vineyards with Esteban, the general manager. We will also be tasting the various products and meet with the potential investors Gabe has lined up, an impressive feat since this trip was so spur of the moment. Apparently, though, Alaine had been working on this for the last year before her death.

The day after this investor meeting is most important as we'll be sitting down with the winery's board of directors to discuss the plans for expansion. They apparently have a big presentation for us to consider and depending on how the investors shake out, it could be something we need to move on quickly.

Of course, none of this is my call but rather will be a joint decision for Ethan and Gabe to make for Sylvie's benefit, but my brother is depending on me to analyze this carefully to determine if it's something he can do. He told me the other day that he'll trust my judgment on this and I almost puked from the added responsibility.

It's funny, though. I've decided that I'll have to lean on Gabe's business savvy to make any decisions, and it has never once crossed my mind that I shouldn't trust him where the business is concerned. It appears that even though he's a Mardraggon and he's hurt me in the past, it hasn't turned me against him completely.

Gabe's interrupted by a phone call and I'm startled that he actually gets cell coverage at thirty thousand feet. I presume that's one of the benefits of flying privately. I try not to eavesdrop but he doesn't make any effort to hide his conversation as I'm sitting right beside him. I surf my phone, which is connected to the plane's Wi-Fi, but as I listen, it doesn't take me long to realize the call has something to do with his capacity as the head of Mardraggon Enterprises. There's a lot of high-level talk that I don't understand, once again reiterating my lack of business experience and the mounting pressure upon me to make sure I understand things. Regardless, it's fascinating… and admittedly a little sexy to see him in his element.

His tone is decidedly formal, each word reflecting the weight of the decisions on his shoulders. "We need a thorough analysis of the current tariff impacts and potential market disruptions in the next quarter. It's imperative we align our production forecasts accordingly," he states, his voice a mixture of command and contemplation. "Also, let's expedite the review of our aging inventory. Optimal turnover is crucial, especially with the upcoming summer demands. Ensure that the finance team prepares a detailed forecast by next week."

Gabe pauses, listening intently as his gaze focuses out the window. "Regarding the partnership with the UK distributors, ensure all contractual agreements are vetted for compliance with both our standards and local regulations. We can't afford to overlook anything there. And yes, please schedule a follow-up with the branding team. It's time we pushed forward with the new marketing strategies we discussed."

My head spins at how he keeps all of this straight. Gabe's voice fades slightly as he shifts topics. "Lastly, update me tomorrow on the status of the water sourcing issue. I want that resolved before it affects production. Keep me in the loop with any developments."

When Gabe hangs up, he looks at me with apology. "Sorry about that. I'm going to have to conduct some Mardraggon business here and there while we're on this trip."

"So… chairman of the board now, huh?" I try to sound casual. "You've kind of been thrown into the deep end, especially considering why you had to take over."

Gabe's eyes glitter with confidence. "Make no doubt, I ousted my father because that was what was best for the company, but I'm not thrashing around in the deep end. I know exactly what I'm doing."

I have no doubt he means that, but I am curious. "No regrets about removing Lionel from the board?"

"It had to be done, Kat. I had to protect the company."

"Just like you had to protect Sylvie," I murmur, a flush of gratitude surging through me at the reminder of how Gabe's life has changed in many ways because of what his father did. But one way that's rarely acknowledged is that Gabe was a hero when it mattered.

I'm surprised when he turns the table on me and asks, "And you? How are you handling everything on your plate? I know you have your own duties at the farm, but taking on the winery business with me has got to be stretching you thin."

I exhale, his question causing the weight to feel a tiny bit heavier. "It's never-ending. And in addition to my regular job and the winery, I'm also handling all the medical oversight for the horses. Everyone in the family has pulled something off Ethan's shoulders to give him breathing room. It's like juggling knives."

Gabe chuckles and with a look of genuine interest on his face says, "I'm not sure I really understand everything that you or your family does. Educate me."

"Yeah, I guess we never talked about that stuff back when we were together." The words come out of my mouth unbidden and for a fearful moment, I'm concerned that Sylvie heard that. My gaze snaps to her but she's engrossed in her movie. I move far away from that subject and launch into answering his question. "Blackburn Farms is the largest breeding and training facility for American saddlebreds in the country."

Gabe's eyes flare in surprise and I'm honestly confused how he doesn't know that. We have business interests in the same small slice of Shelby County, but I guess when you mutually hate one another for decades upon decades, families don't tend to get into the important details.

"We have over a thousand acres of land, two hundred brood mares, almost seventy retired horses, nine studs and plenty of foals and yearlings that rotate through. I have no clue how many staff total and it fluctuates seasonally, but I'd guess we average anywhere from fifty to seventy-five people at a time."

"Doing what?" he asks.

"Stable workers, grooms, trainers, veterinarians, administrative staff, maintenance techs. That's just off the top of my head."

Gabe issues a low whistle. "Impressive. I wish I'd asked more about it before."

I'm uncomfortable that he's bringing up our past, especially with Sylvie sitting beside us and the chance that the conversation could turn volatile. I shift attention back to him, delving into something that's been on my mind. "Tell me more about Alaine. What was she like?"

I've heard Sylvie talk about her mother on many occasions because it's a subject everyone in my family encourages. None of us forget that only a few short months ago, Sylvie lost her mother to cancer and then was thrust into an alien world. So we push to keep that connection alive, which is also why Ethan allowed her to come to France with Gabe.

Expression softening, Gabe taps his finger against his glass as he ponders. "I don't quite know how to describe my sister. She was incredible, the best mom to Sylvie. She was so passionate about everything she did, especially the vineyard. That made her a formidable businesswoman and yet… she was really down-to-earth. Nothing like me or my parents in that respect, but I expect that's because she got away from them as soon as she could."

I don't point out there was a time when I found Gabe to be genuine and down-to-earth but instead say, "I can tell you were very close to her just by the tone of your voice."

Gabe settles back in his chair and nods. "We only had each other. Our parents weren't very… well, parental. I guess it's okay for me to say it out loud now given everything that's happened the last few weeks, but they're both cold. Detached. Alaine and I were raised by a rotating door of nannies. So yeah… we only had each other." His gaze shifts over to Sylvie. "And now she's all I've got."

Understanding dawns on me. Sylvie isn't just his niece, she's his last connection to his sister. The only part of his family that was genuine and loving. The only part of his family that would speak to his own humanity.

Gabe clears his throat and rises from his seat. He's dressed casually in a pair of khaki pants and a black polo shirt with the Mardraggon Bourbon logo of a flying golden dragon over the left breast. "Excuse me a moment… I need to check on something." He moves to the back of the plane, pulling his phone out of his pocket. He puts it to his ear, connecting a call.

I know he would like me to believe that he has business to attend to, but I can tell that he was feeling emotional in remembering his sister. I don't begrudge him that vulnerability and God help me, it makes him more attractive. It reminds me of the man I knew long ago, the one I lost my heart to.