Page 93 of Finally Forever
I sprint upstairs and search the room for Ainsley’s stuff. When I can’t find it there, I check Nathan’s. Kensie might have stashed it for her. Anger wells up in me again. I tamper it down and focus.
On the far nightstand, I spot the watch and Ainsley’s phone. How did she know I chipped her watch? She’s smarter than I ever gave her credit for, that’s how. I mean, she discovered I’m leaving. She knew and called me out on it.
I cradle the items to my chest and gently put them in my duffle bag. So much for killing my father. I want to—believe me, I do—but not more than finding Ainsley and begging her to forgive me. I need her more than I need to kill him. I can live with that bastard in the world. I can’t live without Ainsley. It all makes sense. Why I left. To be with her instead of confronting my father. I wasn’t a coward. I chose her. I will always choose her. But now that we’re bringing a baby into the world, the threat to us needs to be eliminated.
I text Paolo and Francesca.
Me: Change of plans. I can’t meet you, but you have my blessing. Paolo, you know the plan. It hasn’t changed, just my part in it. Francesca, do what needs to be done. I’ll be in contact soon.
If this is a play to get me, and Francesca isn’t on my side, I’ll move me and Ainsley to a remote island somewhere off the coast of Taiwan if I have to. Anything to keep my family safe.
Something in my gut says Francesca is sincere. She could have turned me over to my father when she first learned I was alive. She wouldn’t have reached out if that were the case. Surprise is always the best way to take out a person.
I stuff the burner phone in the bag and close up whatever I’ve kept in my suitcase. Whatever else I need, I’ll buy it when I get there.
I carry both downstairs. Xavier waits at the front door, his life packed into a large duffle bag. Now I love the military in him.
“Ready?” he asks.
“Did you get the flight?”
“The pilot is on standby.”
“Perfect.” I follow him out the door and into the waiting SUV, the engine running.
I’ve never been the kind of guy who wishes for superpowers. Batman was my childhood hero. The anti-hero. But in this case, I wouldn’t mind having Superman’s powers, so I could fly and get Ainsley.
Xavier says, “She connects in New York. The plan is to beat her there.”
“Even better.” The sooner I have her in my arms, the sooner I can worship her in the way she deserves.
God willing, she lets me.
31
Ainsley
Crowded doesn’t begin to describe LaGuardia airport. I race from my plane to the gate where I board to fly to Paris, only to find the waiting area packed. I roll my travel bag to a spot on the floor near the window and sit.
The work phone Kensie gave me dings with a text. I didn’t want to take her phone, but she said she could replace it easily—she has her personal phone still—and didn’t want me traveling without one.
The text is from Lowell. I wrote down all my contacts, the ones I needed before ditching my phone, or else I wouldn’t know anyone’s number. I only need Kensie’s and Lowell’s. I don’t want to wipe her phone clean and am being careful. I intend to ship it back to her once I get a new one.
Lowell: Did you make it to your connection?
I smile at his concern. We texted during my flight here. I called him first from Bozeman Yellowstone Airport and told him I was coming to Paris. He squealed with excitement and then griped about me always getting a new cell number.
He also bombarded me with questions about where I went, why I have a new number, if I needed a place to stay. I said yes to the latter, but didn’t go into detail about much, like how I’m newly single, pregnant, and moving to Paris permanently.
That information needs to be told face-to-face, along with everything else. I haven’t decided if I’ll tell him about the mafia and living in hiding, but I might. He has an idea of what I went through before Sebastian died.
I was cryptic about what I told him, but the emotional aspects and what I was giving up were loud and clear. He thought my situation was much simpler than it was, but he offered the guidance and wisdom I needed to hear.
Me: I’m at the terminal waiting for my plane. I’m so excited to see you and catch up. It won’t be long now. Paris, here I come.
Lowell: And you’ll explain everything?
Me: Yes. I said I would.
