Page 39 of Finally Forever
A massive stone house appears in the distance, stretching as wide as half a football field. Snow covers most of the landscape other than large trees that act as fortress walls. The road turns into a circular driveway that loops back around. We park to the side near a portico that leads to the multiple garages.
Ainsley slides to the other side of the back seat to get a better view of the front of the estate. “I imagined a log cabin, not a Hansel and Gretel mansion.”
“Do you like it?” I know she does by her tone and the way she’s staring out the window like a dog waiting to be let outside.
“I love it! It reminds me of the houses in The Cotswolds, where we lived after we left Scotland, just bigger. Do you rememb—” She cuts herself off and peeks over her shoulder at me before turning her head back to the view out the window, a frown visible from her profile.
I’m sorrysits on my tongue. For the life of me, I don’t know why. I don’t apologize. No Gianni does, it’s how I was raised.
Angry with myself, I shove open the door and get out of the SUV. The chilly weather hits me at once, even in my coat. I haven’t felt weather like this since I left New York. At least that’s all I can remember. If Ainsley and I were in Scotland, I had to have experienced temperatures this cold. Perhaps I should look at the pictures on my phone. Before, I didn’t want to remember anything. Now, I’m curious.
Xavier gets out of the car and the hatch beeps as it opens, revealing our luggage.
Ainsley climbs out from the other side of the SUV and walks to the front of the house.
I watch her as her eyes trace the lines of the mansion, taking in every detail. The structure fascinates her in a way I don’t understand. I don’t know anything about her, haven’t bothered to ask.
She pulls out her phone and snaps pictures of the place before glancing over at me, her mouth opened as if she’s about to say something. The moment she sees my face, her lips close and her shoulders drop. She takes a moment to gather herself. I can see it all. The frown, the despair I heard in her voice earlier. The way she hides her face and discreetly wipes under her eyes before inhaling a deep breath and pushing those shoulders back with a resolve she doesn’t seem to want to accept.
An emotion claws at my chest—regret? I don’t know why. I don’t know this woman—not anymore. This emotion doesn’t fit in my world. After my father killed my mother, I worked hard to ignore such feelings. I surround myself with strong people who can handle my family background. That curiosity about my past with Ainsley returns. How did we meet? Who hit on who? How did we get to an engagement? The betrothal my father forced on me made me despise anything to do with marriage. How did this woman change that?
I help Xavier unload the rest of the luggage and carry it into the garage that he opened with a code. The high-tech security system and location make this well-protected fortress the safest place for this reunion. My family might be distracted while my father claims Godfather-hood, but the mafia never sleeps. There are foot soldiers and spies everywhere. I’m honestly shocked we’ve made it undetected for this long. The feds did a damn good job covering up my departure. The fact that I died secured that cover, I’m convinced.
“A housekeeper comes twice a week,” Xavier says, as he uses another code to unlock the door to the house. “The refrigerator has been stocked with food and prepared meals from your usual list. The house has eight bedrooms, ten bathrooms, a sauna, wine cellar, indoor pool, and workout facility. Plenty of room for everyone when they arrive.”
“It seems perfect. Thank you for handling everything.”
“It’s my job, sir.”
“Sebastian,” I correct him. “Sir reminds me of my father.”
He nods. “I’ll get these inside and check out the security system. The room is on the first floor on the other side of the great hall. Would you like a tour of the home before I get started?”
I peek at Ainsley to see if she’s coming. She’s hugging herself now like she’s cold, but I don’t think that’s it. “No.” I keep my gaze on Ainsley. “I’ll figure it out.”
“Text me if you get lost,” Xavier adds and steps into the house, carrying luggage in each hand.
I walk toward Ainsley, stopping halfway. “It’s cold. You should go inside and get warmed up.”
She faces me, her cheeks bright pink. “I know. I’m freezing, but I don’t want to look away. There is beauty everywhere. The house, the mountains. It reminds me of parts of Europe. It’s beautiful, a new favorite destination of mine.”
I get the feeling she said that a lot while we traveled throughout Europe. “Maybe you could tell me about some of those trips later.”
Her eyes widen, the invitation surprising her as much as it does me. I didn’t plan to ask that.
A small smile tilts her lips at the corners, and her entire body appears to unwind. “I would like that.” The statement seems off, as though it’s not her normal speech. Could be her nerves.
To ensure she comes in from the cold and to appease my concern, I say, “Let’s explore the house and see if we can find a drink to warm us up.”
The way her eyes narrow shows her suspicion about this new welcoming behavior of mine. I’m thrown by it myself. I’m doing it to get her out of the cold, but that doesn’t explain my offer to discuss our past trips. How does this align with me keeping my distance?
16
Ainsley
I follow Sebastian through the front door, which Xavier must have opened for us. My fingers feel numb from the cold. I rub my arms as we’re greeted by wood floors, stone walls, a rustic yet opulent grand staircase, and a giant chandelier made of antlers and black iron.
Farther in, the house opens to a massive great room with vaulted ceilings and beams crossing above. A two-story stone fireplace dominates the far side. Windows stretch the length of the back wall, framing a beautiful view of evergreens, snow, and a few distant mountain slopes.
