Page 105 of Reckless Vow

I haven’t done this many transatlantic flights in… ever. There was an obvious benefit to not doing business in the States.

Not that I’m here for business. Though the trip is turning out longer than I planned. Fucking Mathison is on vacation, but at least I tricked him into talking to me.

So here I am, my plane taxiing yet again, en route to the Dominican Republic.

Chloe is pissed because she had to cancel her weekend getaway due to my unexpected trip. If she could shred my balls over the phone, she would have.

Another candidate to castrate me is probably Brook. It was a dick move to sneak out while she slept.

I had to act.

I couldn’t sit around and pretend her story didn’t impact me.

It’s our story, after all.

Not that she didn’t bear the brunt of it. Fuck, how I wish I could have taken all her pain and suffering.

I had to act.

As I watched her sleep, I realized how strong she has been. So resilient.

Yes, she had more time to deal with everything, but fuck, I’m proud of her. And the selfish bastard in me is pleased I could help her at least with the last pieces.

She was already put together and healed, but she needed me to seal the wounds, and I’m so humbled by that, I can’t even decipher what that means.

Her confession puts all her partying and living on the edge in perspective. How many times did I judge her way of life? Told myself I dodged a bullet not ending up with her?

Idiot.

“What can I get you, Mr. Cassinetti?” The flight attendant smiles at me.

“Whiskey, Tamar. Thank you.”

She brings it over and lingers. “Are you sure there is nothing else?”

I never fuck my staff—well, not since Chloe—but that doesn’t mean some of them don’t try. “Thank you, Tamar. I’m good. I need to catch up on some work.”

Her smile turns saccharine. “Of course, but if you need to relax later—”

“That’ll be all. Thank you.”

She finally leaves.

I should have called Mathison before I boarded my plane in Lisbon. Since when am I this impulsive? Goddammit.

Since Brook Lowe waltzed back into my life.

I’ve been obsessed with her since childhood, and having her around for real now is a challenge. Even before we unraveled the past.

Fuck.

It was easy to keep her at arm’s length before. When I was still blaming her for never showing up. But now?

Now I’m not so sure anymore. But first things first, I need to avenge Brook.

After we land, a car waits for me to take me to the address Art sent me. My phone pings with several messages.

Chloe

---