Chapter 33: Bad Memories

Reid stormed out of the café, his frustration and anger festering with each step he took. The streets of the city, usually so familiar and comforting, now felt cold and unwelcoming. He needed to escape, to put distance between himself and the source of his turmoil. With a clenched jaw, he flung open the door of his car and slid inside as he directed the driver to take him to the private airstrip.

The ride was a blur as Reid's mind raced. The betrayal he had just experienced cut deep, and he couldn't shake the feeling of having been deceived. Bella, the daughter of his friend, someone he had grown fond of beyond just their shared passions, had attempted to manipulate him. It was a revelation that left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Once he reached the airstrip and boarded his private jet, Reid finally had some solitude in which to gather his thoughts. The hum of the jet's engines and the solitude of the cabin allowed him to reflect on what had just transpired.

Anger still coursed through