I guess it was a good thing they’d brought Aunt Elena along because it was her presence that made it easier for me to get on the plane with them in the end. My heart wasn’t sure whether to be elated or afraid as I watched the distance grow outside the plane window. Colton must’ve sensed my unease with flying because he had his parents sit on either side of me to hold my hands and distract me.
Things were settled now; there were no baby’s cries, no fussing because it was the first time on a plane, which I shouldn’t be surprised at. I think Gabriel had left part of his soul in his offspring because the resemblance in everything was uncanny. No fear, just curiosity.
Gabriel! Every time I think of our first meeting, my tummy starts rolling, and I find it hard to breathe. At least I won’t have to face him as myself in the beginning; it’ll all be an act. I’m more on board now with the jealousy plot than I had been in the beginning. If this is the only way I can get some of my own back, for now, I’ll take it. At least the anger I’ll have to portray will be real.
LYON
I’d already called ahead and alerted Kat to the fact that I was bringing in a new family member. Once she’d got through interrogating me like she works for the damn CIA, she’d promised to get things ready. I made the mistake of telling her the kid looked like Mengele, and now she’s already up my ass like I can make the plane go faster or shorten time with my magic stick. Damn female!
I sat back with my eyes closed as the jet slid smoothly through the clouds. It felt like I’d spent the last forty-eight hours on a plane, but time is of the essence, so there was no other way. Those two old people were wilting, but I’m sure once we get back to the island, they’d be rejuvenated. I’m guessing the pothead had run out of his stash, maybe because he’d ended up sharing with the other couple behind the cabin like teenagers. At least they were done with that giggling shit.
I turned my mind to the issue at hand and organized my thoughts. Flanagan’s wife, Arianna, Mouth as he likes to call her, had called his brother in and had him picked up by her father’s jet back in the Midwest, so he should beat us back to the island. It won’t take much to prep; just have those two meet, so they at least know each other.
I’m pretty sure the Russo kid isn’t going to be standing around having conversations the first time they meet, him and this Jimmy guy, so he won’t so easily see through the ruse. It would serve him right if we got him to come back only to make her disappear again. I’m sure her female heart would love that, but it’s too cruel even for me.
Then again, with what’s waiting for him, I think he’d be paying his penance for a long time to come. I smiled to myself at the thought of what his life was going to be like once the dust settled. This thing might turn out much better than we’d hoped for. If he’s anything like the man I’d built him up to be in my head, then he’d move heaven and earth to stay alive no matter what demons drive him.
I get why the kid did what he did, I don’t agree, but I get it. For all his reading of Sun Tzu, he doesn’t seem to have yet realized that life is the true war, and you should fight to the death to hold onto it.
GIANNA
I think I have changed my mind. It’s one thing to theorize about sticking it to Gabriel and a whole other ball game when it comes to the execution. My stomach has been in knots ever since Colton said it’s time. Two days, that’s all the time they gave me to get to know my would-be husband. Thankfully, Jimmy is funny and has no designs on me past the appreciative male for a beautiful female stage.
It was simple, really; Jimmy and I just had to move in together in my old family home and pretend to be shacking up. This is supposed to bring Gabriel running back from wherever he’s gone that they think he’s in danger, and I don’t know how they’re going to do it, but my fear is what if Gabriel doesn’t care? What if he doesn’t come back like they expect?
Colton promised not to tell him about the pregnancy, which is a two-edged sword. On the one hand, if he comes back without knowing, I’d know he came back for me. On the other hand, if he finds out and comes back, I’ll never know the truth, plus the embarrassment I’d have to live with if he doesn’t give a fig.