Page 10 of Tainted Ties

See you soon.

Like clockwork, I had summoned my brother.

There was an attachment connected to the text and when I clicked it, I found my flight details, indicating that I was flying first class at five in the morning, tomorrow.

Wait, that can’t be right…

I’m billing you for my services, especially now that my flight is tomorrow. Also, first class? How did you afford that when everything was taken from you?

My phone pinged a second later with my brother’s reply.

Because I didn’t sit on my ass and made a living for myself.

I groaned into the palms of my hands as I laid back on my plush couch. Tomorrow was too soon.

I considered how fast this was happening, but knew I had no choice but to take that flight.

The only good thing coming out of this was that if Roman was in New York, I’d be far away from him until I figured out why he was here.

Leaping off the couch, I headed toward my bedroom to scavenge my closet for the only suitcase I owned.

Then, I mindlessly grabbed clothes off the racks and shoved them into the suitcase.

If I sat and pondered on what to take, then I wouldn’t be able to escape the intrusive thoughts that would surely end with me having a full-on mental breakdown.

* * *

“If you need me to fly to Italy to kick some ass, call me.” Irina’s eyes filled with sympathy as I lifted my bag up my shoulder.

Forcing out a small smile that I knew didn’t reach my eyes, I waved my phone in front of her. “On speed dial. Anyway, I’m boarding soon, so I guess this is goodbye.” I didn’t want to leave, but if I didn’t put up a confident front, Irina would drag me out of the airport without hesitating.

“Yeah, yeah,okay. Text me when you land?” I wouldn’t necessarily call this parting awkward, but it was close to it, considering we both had never been apart from each other longer than a day. We were terrible at goodbyes.

“Of course, I will.” Closing the distance between us, I wrapped her in a tight hug. “I’ll only be gone for a few days.”

* * *

Most people feared flying, but I had never had a problem with it. In fact, the window seat was my favorite. The view was captivating, and no number of pictures could accurately capture its beauty.

After putting away my carry-on bag, I settled into my seat and peered around my cubicle. There was enough space to make this nine-hour flight bearable and a door to provide me privacy.

“Can I get you anything to drink, ma’am?”

Turning to my left, I saw a flight attendant smiling down at me. Her blonde hair was pulled high into a bun, accentuating her cheekbones.

I smiled back at her. “A mojito, please… go heavy on the alcohol.”

“For good reason, I’m sure.”

“You’ve no idea.”

Chapter3

Aurora

When I stepped off the plane, Enzo’s driver greeted me. He was a broad-shouldered man who was old enough to be my grandfather, minus the fragility.

As I sat in the back seat with my windows down, I allowed the warm air of Italy to envelop me.

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