Page 3 of The Caress

"Yes, sir?" he answers on the first ring.

My instructions are simple. just three words.

"Glasgow airport.Now."

CHAPTERTWO

ELLA

I don’t recognize the driver waiting for me in the lobby of Keir’s building, but he seems to know who I am.

"Right this way," he says, taking my suitcase and ushering me out to the sleek black sedan idling at the curb. "Is this your only bag, miss?"

I’m too numb to speak, so I simply nod instead. If there’s a silver lining to this sad situation, it’s that maybe I can finally go back to having a regular, normal life. a life where I don’t have to worry about paparazzi or the press. a life where I don’t find myself flying across the world at the whim of a moody billionaire.

a life where I don’t ever have to see Keir again.

I should probably be relieved, right? I’m in control again. I’m off the emotional roller coaster, hopefully for good this time. So why do I still feel like I could burst into tears at any moment?

"Here you go, miss." The driver holds the door open for me as I collapse into the back seat of the car. "Don’t worry." He sneers at the handful of paparazzi who are starting to gather around. "I’ll get you away from these vultures."

I nod again and mumble a quick thanks, but I honestly don’t even care. They’ll forget about me soon enough once I’m gone. If they really want to snap a few more photos of me looking like a sad, sobbing wreck, I’m not going to stop them.

True to his word, the driver pulls away from the pack of photographers with a speedy aggressiveness that’s actually sort of reassuring. For someone who I assume has only been hired to drop me off at the airport, this guy seems to genuinely care about getting me there quickly and without any hassles.

I pick up my phone, half-tempted to text Keir and tell him his normal chauffeur and security detail could take some lessons from the glorified taxi he’s hired, but I know he would just reply back with something mean and hurtful. Instead, I sent a quick message to Kaia.

I’ll be back in NYC this evening. Dinner?

Her reply comes back within seconds, making me smile and hurting my heart all at the same time.

Oh wow! You know I’m always down for a free meal. Keir is paying, right?

Ugh.

I’m sure the next few days and weeks will be filled with these tiny reminders of the fun times I’ve had with Keir and the life I’m leaving behind. Knowing I’ll have to deal with them doesn’t make the reminders hurt any less, though.

Blinking back a fresh wave of tears, I pecked out a reply.

He isn’t my man, and he isn’t going to be paying for anything else, ever. It’s just going to be me and you, like it was before.

Before all of this. Before my life got turned on its head.

Before Keir.

Kaia is kidding, of course. Her husband is one of New York’s richest people. There is no need for me to pay for Kaia’s food, ever. But it was nice to be able to treat her to a nice lunch on Keir’s dime.

The text bubble lights up with little dots to show she’s typing, then stops before starting up again a few seconds later. When her reply does finally come through, it makes those tears I’ve been holding back spill down my cheeks.

You know I’m always here if you need anything at all. I’m glad you’re coming home, and I can’t wait to see you!

I stuff my phone into my purse and dash at my cheeks. That simple message is enough to let me know that Kaia understands. She knows me better than almost anyone else on the planet. I’m already counting down the hours until I can get a big, sympathetic hug from my best friend.

Yeah, it really will be good to be home again.

I take a deep breath and slowly exhale.

Okay.

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