Chapter Sixteen
Fallon
“Who’s died?” I ask groggily down the phone, my eyes still half closed.
I haven’t even looked at the caller ID. Who the hell would call me when it's barely even light outside?
“Good morning to you, too,” Tommy’s perky voice says from down the line.
“Morning? This is still the middle of the night for me. What time is it?”
“5 am,” he says dismissively. “I’m going to need you to pack a bag. Or maybe a case. We’re going to the villa first thing tomorrow morning.”
I sit bolt upright in bed. Surely, I didn’t hear what I think I did?
“The villa? As in Menorca? Tomorrow? Are you high?” I ask, genuinely concerned. My eldest brother Tommy may be many things, but spontaneous isn’t one of them.
“He’s back, Fal, and I don’t know what else to do. He tried to hack into my security system. I spoke with the new security guys, and they all agreed. I’ve just booked the jet for us all,” he rushes out.
What the fuck. Maya's ex? Again? This fucking guy.
“How did she handle that? Do you need me today?” I ask. Although the worry of leaving the salon, again, is making me feel physically sick, I would drop everything to be there for her.
“She doesn’t know, and I'm going to keep it that way for now.”
“You can't lie to her, Tommy.”
“I’m not. I’m just going to wait until she's far enough away that she won't need to worry. Can you make it to the airport, or do you need me to send a car? Will you call Blair and Gracie, too?”
“Tommy, we can't all go. We’re struggling to keep the salon open as it is, and if we leave again, I don’t know how…” I don’t get to finish the sentence as he shouts my name down the phone.
“You're struggling, and you didn’t think to ring me? What do you need?” He barks at me. Big brother mode is coming into full effect.
“We will work it out. We just need to work more days,” I say in a low tone. Hoping to calm him down a little.
“It’s because Maya isn’t there, isn’t it?” He says, a little calmer now.
“I don’t want to worry her with all of this. Honestly, we’ll be fine, but leaving for a holiday might be the final nail in the coffin,” I admit.
“You know I’m rich, right? Like so rich, I have too much money to even know what to do with it. I’ll sort the salon bills. If anything, it’s for me, more than you. I know she will be happier with you there, and also, after the last incident, I’d feel safer knowing you girls are here with me too.”
“I can’t…” I try again, but he interrupts me. Again.
“You can, and you will. It’s what family is for. Now, stop arguing and be excited. In roughly twenty-four hours, we will be living it up in the sunshine,” I can almost hear the smile in his voice.
“Okay. Okay. Fine. But you forced us into it, and you know that I would have said yes eventually. Salon or no salon.”
“I know. That’s why you’re my favourite sibling,” he chuckles.
“Liar. I heard you say the same thing to Lucy the other month,” I laugh back.
“It changes every day, depending on which one of you pisses me off the most. Which is usually Max,” he chuckles.
“So, tomorrow?”
“Yes. I’ll send you over all of the details in the next hour or so. Will you let the girls know?”
“Yes, don’t worry. I’ll sort it.”
Well, considering the stress that I felt about abandoning the salon again, the girls couldn’t have given a bigger fuck.
They are so excited. Especially when I told them that Tommy has sent me an obscene amount of money, not only will it clear all the bills for the next six months, but it will also be enough to pay us a wage.
I always forget how much money that man has.
It’s going to be so much fun to be away with friends and all of my siblings, too.
But, there is a niggling feeling that I can't seem to shake. With one name flashing through my mind. Luke. I have no idea how long we’re going to be away for, and the thought makes me feel sick to my stomach.
I’m not used to this. I've never worried about being away from someone before. I've never had to, or ever let myself.
After a long arse day of work, I've only just got home and have approximately one hour to make myself gorgeous, shave every inch of my skin and pack my suitcase.
I wonder how he will take the news of me leaving?
It's not like we're anything serious; it will never get that far.
So, why do I feel so anxious about telling him?
I’m just sitting on my suitcase, trying to zip the bugger closed, when there is a knock at my door. Shit. Is it that time already? At least my legs are smoother than a seal and my hair is dry.
I open the door by an inch, just to make sure it is Luke who is on the other side, and thankfully, it is.
“Hey,” I say sheepishly. “Sorry, I lost track of time, but I’m almost ready. Come in.”
I pull the door open wider now, making room for him to step inside. He looks phenomenal, as always. He’s wearing dark grey joggers, a tight white t-shirt, and his hair is still damp as though he's not long showered, too.
“Don’t rush on my account. I’d much rather you stay in the towel,” he winks.
“Of course you would,” I roll my eyes, turning my back on him. I make my way back to my bedroom, and it's only once I'm inside that I realise he has followed me.
“Going somewhere?” He asks with a raised brow, eyeing the bed.
“Urg, yeah. Long story,” I murmur, dropping my towel in front of him.
The moment it hits the floor, I hear him inhale sharply, but I pretend that I didn’t. Without putting on underwear, I pull up a pair of leggings and throw on an oversized band tee.
“What are you doing to me?” He groans, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Me? Just tormenting you,” I laugh.
“So, tell me, where are you off to?” He asks.
“Tommy called me this morning. Maya is in danger from her ex, and they’ve decided to stay at his place in Spain for a few weeks until his team can track him down. I've been told I have to go too.” I say, shrugging it off like that’s the most normal thing in the world.
“What? Is she okay? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, we’re fine, but I do think it's best for us all to get away for a while,” I say, my fingers entwined. “After what happened last time, and Gracie getting hurt, I’d feel better knowing we’re all together in one place.”
“I agree,” he says firmly. “You’ll be safe where you're going?”
“Yes, his security team will be coming with us, so we will never be alone, and we’re all staying at his villa, all under one roof too.”
He stands, walking close to me and takes my entwined hands, lifting them to hook around his neck.
“How long will you be there for?” His eyes search mine with the question.
“Honestly… I have no idea. Until he’s found, I guess?”
“Fuck, I’m going to miss you,” he admits, his head leaning to rest on mine.
I close my eyes, tight. Why do I feel so emotional?
I’m never emotional. I've only seen him a few times, and we have barely spoken between then. I don’t understand it.
I inhale shakily, battling the rawness I feel in my throat.
He must hear it as his arms wrap tighter around my body.
But it's what I need, the feeling of being close to him.
The tightness of his arms makes me feel so secure, as though he is holding me together.
“One of these days, baby, you’re going to have to tell me what you’ve been through,” he says softly against me. “I like you, Fallon, a lot. I want to be the one you turn to, to be the one you trust enough to give your heart to.”
“I wish I could, Luke. I can't give you what’s already broken.” I whisper.
“Fallon,” his voice sounding raw. “Even a glow stick has to break in order to shine.”