Page 108 of His Jersey

“Get on the plane. Jack is waiting.”

I find my fiancé sitting in the plane, gazing thoughtfully out the window before his attention slides to me.

“Hey, beautiful. Before you ask what’s going on …”

“I can’t imagine. Are you taking me to another castle?”

“No. Even better.”

Before I can probe him, he asks about my day and confirms the furniture delivery. “Carlos is on it.”

We discuss some things about the wedding, and I can’t help but be thankful for my new Cobbiton family—Carlos, Leah, Margo, Gracie, and the rest of the team and their wives. I wouldn’t be able to do this without them. Not just for logistical support but for their friendship, too. Even when Leah comes unhinged, like just now. We’ve had dinners, barbecues, and movie nights, and they threw me a bachelorette party that included a scavenger hunt on horseback at a nearby ranch. Leah thought one of the ranch hands was handsome, but when she asked if he was a hockey fan, he looked at her like she had a tail and hooves. Lucky me, I’m already marrying my knight on horseback.

About an hour later, after I’ve been fortified with snacks, Jack says, “Oh, by the way, Slater, aka Cain Cary, is behind bars.”

I startle, not having thought about him in a good long while. “How’d you find that out?”

“The investigator I hired to find your necklace informed me,” Jack says casually.

“That’s good. Do I want to know his crime?”

“Couldn’t connect him to stealing your necklace. But in a way, he stole your life. I want to give it back in whatever pieces I can.”

“Jack, you’ve already gone above and beyond. Thank you.” My stomach has a sudden but slight queasy feeling. Maybe I do have motion sickness.

Jack lets out a breath. “Including,” he looks down at his hands.

I’ve never seen him anything other than composed with picture-perfect confidence. Sure, he’s had moments when he’s ardent, apologetic, and definitely arrogant, but this is something else. He seems uneasy.

“I’m glad you’re sitting for this.”

“The seatbelt light is on.” I gesture to the little overhead glowing symbol.

Jack finishes his sentence, “Slater did some damage, including stealing away your relationship with your father. Mark Hibbert was released from care shortly after you met Slater on the island—shortly after you said you had to sell your phone, effectually making you disappear.”

My entire body feels like it’s plunging toward earth like an asteroid. I tuck my chin back the space between my forehead tightens. “What?”

“I assume you told Slater, also known as Cain, about your father, and shared details about his care.”

“Yeah, he knew everything. I didn’t have anyone else to talk to. My friends had launched into their new lives post-college. I was alone. He was there.” I gasp as a terrible feeling creeps toward me. “Then who was I emailing every week for updates? What about the payments I sent each month? Your donation?”

“Slater. You were emailing him and sending him the money.”

“What?” I repeat. My hand presses to my brow because I cannot believe this.

“The investigator found your dad. He has to get around using a walker and there are a few things he still receives therapy for, but he’s okay. Works at the same factory he used to, but in the officenow.”

My jaw hangs open. “In Pennsylvania?” But the words are garbled and echo in my mind.

“We’re on our way to see him now.”

“Jack,” I breathe, yet it feels like I can’t fill my lungs.

He unclips his seatbelt and crouches next to me, gripping both my hands. “My lawyers are bringing a case against Slater, both for impersonating a certain billionaire’s son and more importantly, defrauding you. I don’t think he’ll ever be able to pay you back the money he stole. But whatever win we get, and we will win, goes to a fund for your father.”

“My father is alive.” The lump in my throat is so big I’m afraid I’ll choke.

Jack nods and adds, “His memory took a while to recover, but he’s been looking for you, Ella.”

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