10. Ariella
Idon’t know whether to laugh or cry when Ethan tells me that Kiernan owes some thugs nearly two million dollars. It may as well be a billion because I know that he doesn’t have that kind of cash lying around.
“I wanted to bring this to your attention because Ben and I think it’s a strong possibility that the loan shark that lent Kiernan the money might be trying to collect. It’s not unheard of for them to go after family members and loved ones to get people to pay up,” Ethan explains.
“Why would they come after Alex or me? Hurting us wouldn’t change his inability to pay. It’s not like we had anything to do with his gambling, and I don’t have that kind of cash in liquid assets.”
“No, but your brother does. As King of Cothena, he has billions of dollars at his fingertips. Would your brother or his pay off the debt to save you? Because that may be what these guys are banking on, no pun intended,” Ethan tells her.
“My brother would never pay it. Cothena has a policy very much like the United States when it comes to bending to a terrorist’s will, especially under duress. The loan shark might not be a terrorist, but his actions align with one. My brother will view it in much the same way. I can’t speak for King Jordain.”
“They might not be coming after you, Ariella. It’s just one possibility we are looking into. It doesn’t change what my team needs to do to keep you safe.”
“Thank you, Ethan. I know that Kiernan said we only need your protection services, but it looks like we could also use your investigative services. Maybe you should talk to my father about it and see what he says,” I suggest.
“Um. We already did. He called shortly after you left and told us to pull out all the stops. I want my team there to focus on your safety, and we’ll run the investigation on our end. We will keep you updated if we learn anything new. For now, keep your heads down but your spirits high.” Ethan hangs up, and everyone stares at me like I’ve kept yet another secret from them.
“Well, that certainly was enlightening,” Charlie says, setting a platter of French toast on the table. “Who’s ready to eat?”
“I need to go wake up Alex. French toast is his new favorite breakfast, and he won’t want to miss it.” I start to get up, but Patrick stops me.
“I’ll get him. You should take a minute to relax after receiving that news.”
“Thank you. That was a lot to take in before I’ve finished my first cup of coffee.” I make a plate for Alex, who’s wiping sleep from his eyes as he trundles into the dining area a minute later. Once he notices what’s being served, he’s immediately wide awake.
“My favorite!” he shouts.
“Inside voice, please,” I tell him.
“My favorite!” he whispers. I watch as he sits beside Patrick and links their hands for grace.
“Can I say the blessing this time?” he asks.
“I’d love that.” Patrick looks pleased as punch that Alex made such a request.
“Dear God. Thank You for this food and for Grandma Charlie, who made it. Thank You for my Daddy and that he loves me as much as I love him. Thank You for my Mommy and for her finally spilling the beans even though she was supposed to let me do it. Thank You for my Grandpa Don, who promised to build a snowman with me. And thank you for Jessie, Jerry, and Savannah, who are going to teach me how to shoot a gun. Amen.”
“Amen,” we all chorus, a few of us trying to hide our laughter. When I look at Patrick, he’s smiling so wide that his eyes have become slits.
“You know, we’ve never seen Patrick look this happy or date anyone in all the time we’ve known him. At least we now know why,” Jessie says, shoving a bite of food into her mouth.
Savannah and Jerry both nod. “He’s never even looked at a woman the way he looks at you,” Savannah declares.
“Why do you all insist on talking about me like I’m not in the room? I’m right here!” Patrick says good-naturedly.
I ignore him and direct my question to Savannah. “And you’re okay with that?”
“Okay, with what? With Patrick still being in love with you? Of course, I am. Why wouldn’t I be?” she asks confused.
I glance at Patrick—who’s sitting there calmly and wearing a ten-mile smile—before making eye contact with Savannah. “I’m sorry. I’m a bit befuddled right now. You’re okay with Patrick being in love with me, which he isn’t by…”
“I am,” he interrupts.
I narrow my eyes at him, “Why would you say something like that with your wife sitting right there?” I nearly shout, pointing at Savannah. “Are you two ‘swingers’ and have some kind of open relationship?”
Savannah starts laughing so hard I think she’s going to choke. Tears stream from her eyes as she tries to regain control. Every time she gets close, she erupts into another fit of giggles.
“I don’t see what’s funny about this situation,” I say, holding back tears of my own and not the fun kind.
“I’m sorry. This is almost as great a reveal as last night,” she says, wiping away one last tear from laughter. “Patrick and I have never been, nor will we ever be married. We only play the ‘happy couple’ on TV. What made you think we were together? I certainly wouldn’t have slept in the bunkhouse last night with Jerry and his loud snoring if we were.”
“I didn’t even go to sleep!” Jerry defends, but she waves him off, her point already made.
“But when I ran into Patrick at the ski lodge, you looked so happy together and were wearing wedding bands. Why would I think anything different?”
“They were undercover,” Jessie says bluntly.
I ask Patrick for clarification, “So you’re not married, then?” That would explain why he kissed me last night. I had tossed and turned, having lost so much respect for him when he had done that.
“Yes, I’m married,” he says. “I’ve stayed faithful and true to my wife since the day I said my vows to her on a small island in the Bahamas nine and a half years ago.”
I needed to get some fresh air after breakfast. When Patrick admitted that he had stayed faithful and true to me, I burst into tears while Charlie started shouting, “Halleluiah! And the truth shall set you free!” from the top of her lungs.
Savannah talked about needing to wear a body cam so she could post all these crazy reveals on TikTok and make a killing when the videos go viral.
Jerry grunted and said, “I don’t know if my heart can take any more of this.” He rubbed his chest as if in pain, but I saw the corner of his mouth quirk up. I’ve been warned he’s the grumpy one of the bunch, but I’m 100% sure he’s a closet romantic.
“Jerry, you’re 35, not 50. Just because you have white hair doesn’t mean you’re old,” Jessie retorted.
“Hey! I’m pushing 54, and I’m not old!” Charlie shouted, having fun now that there were no more secrets. That was when Don walked in from his morning chores.
He kissed the top of her head. “You’re not 54, Honey. You’re my sexy ‘Bond’ girl, agent double ‘O’ two-seven!” She snickered and kissed his cheek. “What did I miss with all this hollerin’?” he asks.
“I’ll tell you later, Sugar,” she told him. “There’s still a second breakfast for you in the oven.”
“What do I look like, a Hobbit from the Shire?” he asked, making his way into the kitchen to grab his plate.
Charlie lowered her voice, “It’s probably not a wise decision for me to answer that,” she teased.
“I heard that!” he yelled back.
The entire time, Patrick said nothing, waiting for me to comment while Alex beamed at me, enjoying the banter but not fully comprehending what Patrick had said.
Barely holding back my tears, I excused myself and stepped outside onto the back porch. I walk from one end to the other, pacing back and forth as I try to reconcile my feelings. I had been holding onto hope for years that we might get a second chance but accepted that it wasn’t possible when I saw the ring on his finger. To find out it wasn’t real changes…well, everything.
I jump when I hear the screen door slam shut and spin around to see Patrick standing there, leaning against the wall of the house. His arms are crossed, as well as his feet. He’s trying to go for a casual pose, but his body posture tells me he’s guarded. I don’t blame him for being cautious.
“Tell me what you’re thinking, Ari. Please.”
Instead of saying anything, I let the tears flow. I’ve cried more in the last two days than I have in my entire life. As a princess, I’m always supposed to be poised and composed. I’m allowed to break down privately, but never in front of anyone. But Patrick isn’t just anyone to me.
He walks over to me and pulls me into his embrace, tucking my head under his chin as he holds me. I let it all out, even hiccupping for good measure.
Sniffling, I step back and stare up at his handsome face. “I must look like a hot mess right now.”
“You couldn’t be more beautiful. It’s raw and real, the way you should always be with me.”
After a lengthy pause, I ask him, “Did you really wait for me all these years?”
He tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “I have. I waited until I married you to show you how much I love you. I would have waited a lifetime to show you again. You’re the only woman I have ever wanted, Ari. You’re the only woman I have ever loved or will love.”
“When I told my father about our impromptu wedding, he wasn’t surprised, you know. He said he could see our love was true when he saw us together. He’s always known about us and has hidden the secret right alongside me. He fully supported my fake marriage to Kiernan but had told me, ‘If Patrick loves you like you and I both think he does, then he’ll wait forever to be reunited with you. When the time is right, I’ll do what I can to make that happen. Just have patience, Baby Girl. After the recent assassination attempt, he was the one who suggested that we hire you. I guess he thought the time was right.”
“Thank God for that!” he teases.
I worry at my bottom lip as I contemplate what I’m going to tell him next. Finally, gathering enough courage, I say, “I waited for you, too. But I don’t know how much longer I can hold out.” I drop my voice to a whisper and request one thing. “Please kiss me, Patrick. I promise I won’t push you away again.” My words have a much deeper meaning, and he understands that. I know that we still have a lot to work out between us, and not everything is easily forgiven.
Although he may understand why I did what I did, keeping his son from him, it doesn’t mean that the trust we once shared will be easily repaired. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it was exquisite, powerful, and everlasting when it was completed. At that moment, I vow to do everything I can to fix what has been broken between us, even if it takes a lifetime to accomplish it.
I expect a kiss similar to last night, but he surprises me by gently placing his lips against mine. He coaxes and teases me, but the raw passion and burning need I expected isn’t there. Instead, it’s been replaced by a tenderness and promise of more to come.
He continues his gentle ministrations until the back door slams open, startling us both from our kiss-induced stupor. Jerry stands there with his weapon in hand and addresses Patrick.
“Grab your gun. We have a perimeter breach.”