Chapter 40 Charlotte
Charlotte
We’ve lived in unaware bliss here in Provence all week, but the familiar ache of uncertainty sits like a weight on my chest. I’ve lain by the pool all day, my tan now one that only the sun of the Mediterranean can make.
Seeing Preston laughing and swimming and roughhousing with Sutton in the water has been good for my soul.
Reminds me of why I’ve done what I’ve done.
Am I in the wrong for taking him? I don’t think so.
Even though legally it probably wasn’t right, it was right for him.
If he was happy at home, I would’ve gone on to life after college.
I would’ve left him, traveled, gotten a job somewhere else, and just lived how any other woman my age lives.
But that wasn’t his story, so it wasn’t mine.
My thoughts are interrupted by the garden sprinklers. They come on every day at this time like clockwork. The lawn is vast and green, the jets of water spouting from the ground covering every inch, including the decadent garden beds that are full of lush roses.
Sutton’s cell chimes like it has all week. For the most part, he’s ignored it. Looking at the screen, he answers it, talking in low tones. He’s trying to prolong the inevitable, but I'm a realist. I might want him to be my forever, but Maribel taught me to never wish for that.
“Whispers is inundated.” He throws his cell on the lounge chair next to mine, coming to sit near me, Preston now bobbing and swimming, having a great time on his own.
My stomach sinks. “Oh no.” I frown, thinking of poor Rochelle and everyone and the mess we left behind.
“It's a good thing, apparently.”
That has me rearing back. “What?”
“Sawyer tells me Rochelle is doing a roaring trade. The bed-and-breakfasts in town have tripled their prices and the out-of-towners are paying. The distillery is going gangbusters. Local shops are doing well. Sawyer says Annabelle has been selling out of soaps. Peter had to put on an extra driver for his taxis, and the Whiteman’s Bar is full every night.
The only people upset are all the billionaires up on Billionaire Boulevard.
But the sheriff has blocked off the road to residents only.
So they all get to keep their privacy. Besides, I know most of them, so they’ll get over it. ”
“Wow,” is all I can say, completely awed. But it makes sense; the media have to stay and eat somewhere. I just didn’t account for the positive effect it would have on the local economy.
“And even better news: Griffin and his team are almost finished on the house. He has three crews there now to try to get it done by the time we get back, or at least soon after that. They’re working around the clock.
” He pauses for a moment, both of us sharing a smile. “Rochelle says she misses you, though.”
“I miss her.” I miss the small town that took me in, gave me a safe haven, and loved Preston and me as if we were one of their own.
“I miss her pies…” Sutton says, looking grim, and I laugh.
“There’s more to her than just pies.”
“I know. She’s a hell of a woman,” Sutton agrees.
“She reminds me of my mom. All kindhearted, warm, nurturing. She makes me feel connected.”
“It’s nice that you have her. I think she loves you just as much.”
Sutton goes silent, his mind elsewhere for a moment, looking suddenly melancholy.
“You alright?” I reach out, grabbing his hand.
Squeezing my hand, he turns to me. “As happy as I am for Whispers and want to get back to where I’ve felt so at home, I guess the media have drones everywhere.
Everyone wants to see where the celebrity now lives…
” His voice drifts off as he looks out at Preston, lips pressed in a tense line.
“I’ve never felt like an animal in a cage like I do right now.
The press are intrusive, but I never minded this much.
So what if I have a bad hair day or did a walk of shame from somewhere?
But now… now I have something to protect, and it feels like it’s out of control. ”
Emotion clogs my throat. I’ve been so consumed by my own plight, I haven’t really considered his privacy. “Do you think it will calm down soon?”
“No. It’s not going to calm down until they spot me. I’ll probably have to do an interview. Maybe a daytime talk show or something. But I need to give them something. The more elusive I am, the more they want. So I’m going to go back to LA.”
A sharp pain zings through my chest. “LA?” Is he leaving me now? Now that we’ve fled together, said I love you, and spent a magical week with our heads in the sand?
“I need to pull their attention away from Whispers.
Away from you. I need to give them something.
Hopefully, pulling the media away from Whispers and back to LA will give you and Preston time to hide back at the cottage without anyone spotting you or knowing who you are.
You won't be able to work with Rochelle. Those assholes from the diner are still around, probably waiting to point you out. Although, the sheriff is keeping an eye on them, waiting for them to step out of line just once so he can haul them in and charge them with something.”
I take a deep breath, the reality of my new life hitting me like a slap in the face. We didn’t press charges against the men who assaulted me. Mainly because we don’t need the additional stress and they didn’t press charges against Sutton either. Obviously knowing they were in the wrong.
“We’ll get you and Preston on Tanner's jet back to Whispers, where Sawyer will take care of you. I’ll pop my face out in Paris, make sure I’m seen there, and then jump on a jet to LA. I won’t be there long, though, since the Whiteman’s launch is going live next week. That’s a big night.”
I feel momentarily relieved. “I forgot about that with everything happening. I’m excited for you.”
“My mom is even flying in. I can’t wait for you to meet her.” He looks at me and grins, and my eyebrows rise in surprise.
“You want me to meet your mom?”
“Of course. My mom is great, and I already know she’ll love you.”
While I’m nervous and still don’t know how we’re going to navigate everything, I feel excited to have a way forward. I’m not yet sure what the reality of that will be, but we’ll work it out.
His thumb rubs the back of my hand in soothing circles as he takes a deep breath.
“The whiskey launch at Whiteman’s will put me on an entirely new trajectory, as everyone will then know that Whispers is exactly where I’ve been hiding all this time.
I know I just mentioned hiding out at the cottage, but I’m not exaggerating. We’ll need to lie low.”
“Okay…” I don’t know what to say; it all sounds crazy.
I know he’s doing all of this for me. If I was just a normal girl, I could probably go to LA with him, be seen on his arm, go on dates, and not worry about the media or paparazzi that follow us.
But I’m not a normal girl. I’m Charlotte Titan, heiress to the Titan fortune. Not that I’ll probably see any of it.
“You’ll be safe, since not many locals know that’s where you are.
No school, no library, and best to stay indoors as much as you can.
We’ll use the yellow path; I’ll come to you or you to me, or we meet in the middle, I don’t care, but I can’t live without you.
The week away in LA without seeing you is going to be enough to kill me. ”
My heart thuds out of my chest. This next step of our future feels almost insurmountable.
I nod as I try to digest exactly what’s going on. The perfect week we’ve had is now coming to an end.
“I’ve also called my security team. Jackson is my head of security. I’ll be bringing him and a small team back to Whispers with me. I need everyone safe. I need our safety respected, and I want another set of eyes on you and Preston.”
Again, I nod. My mind is spinning as I look up at the sky, closing my eyes for a moment.
He clears his throat. “There’s something else.”
My eyes shoot back to his, not sure I can take much more.
“I had Sawyer look into guardianship for Preston. I told him just what he needed to know.” He looks guilt-ridden, and while it makes me anxious to know other people are aware of my secret, I trust him and I trust his brother. I need someone on my side, and I hope they can help.
“My father?” I ask shakily.
He nods. “He knows your father.”
I should’ve known Sawyer would.
“Sawyer’s going to start pulling some things together.
A contract that gives you custody of your brother, some legal paperwork that you can present to him.
He’s going to start to build a legal defense, in case it’s needed, then we’ll be ready without delays.
” My flight-or-fight starts to flutter, and my breathing quickens.
I don’t know what to say without sobbing, so I don’t say anything. I remain quiet, my eyes conveying every thank you and I love you to Sutton as he reaches forward and wipes a stray tear from my cheek.
Reaching over, he lifts me from my chair and sits me in front of him, my back to his chest as he wraps his arms around me. We watch Preston laugh and play, soaking up the sun in each other’s embrace until it sets on the horizon. Like the final curtain call to my life.
“Got everything?” I smile at Preston, not because I’m happy, but because I need to ensure he isn’t worried.
“Yeah.” His voice tells me he’s bummed to be leaving.
We’re standing with our luggage at the front of the house, watching the same black car approaching that transported us here a week ago. Comical, really. My life could be a TV show with how it's been going lately.
I swallow at seeing Hugo step out. I haven’t asked questions. It’s not the time and it certainly isn’t the place. His grin is wide, a crocodile smile in full effect. I don’t like him, and I certainly don’t trust him.
“I assume your stay went well.” He looks at Sutton and shakes his hand.
“It did. Thank you. If you ever need anything…”
“I will call. Expect it,” he says quickly, and I see Sutton’s jaw clench.
“The car will take you to the private airstrip a few miles away. There are two jets there, one for you and one for her.”
“Thanks, Hugo. I appreciate it, really,” Sutton says gratefully, speaking for all of us. I’m not sure what we would’ve done otherwise.
The sprinklers come on, taking my attention, and I frown.
“You know, you really should swap your irrigation for a slow drip system. It’ll probably save about fifty percent of your water consumption year-round.
You’ll have less runoff and reduce fungal disease of the plants.
” I look back at Hugo before my eyes widen in shock at what I just said to him.
Sutton coughs, in disbelief and humor at my antics.
His stare burns as I wet my lips and try to swallow. “It’s just an idea.” I can barely breathe. I sure would hate to ever be on his bad side.
Eyes narrowing slightly, he says, “I’ll tell my gardener.”
He turns then, his body facing me entirely, and I feel Sutton’s grip on my hand tighten.
“You’re not like your father at all, are you, Charlotte?” My blood turns to ice. I’m not sure why I thought he would have no idea who I was. He’s clearly a powerful man.
“No. Not at all,” I answer, voice steady. Even on my worst day, that’s one fact I’m confident in.
“Good.” He nods before slapping Sutton on the shoulder and walking past him, into the house with his men as our luggage is placed in the trunk. My breath whooshes from my lungs, feeling like I just passed a test.
Only a minute later, Preston, Sutton, and I are climbing into the car, and we’re on our way.
The drive is quiet, the pain in my chest at being away from Sutton heavy, and before we know it, we’re at the airstrip. My palm is sweaty where I’ve squeezed Sutton’s hand so tight, I think I cut off his circulation. As the car pulls up on the tarmac, I see the two jets Hugo mentioned.
“Preston. I love you. Take care of your sister for me.” Sutton pulls Preston into a tight hug, and my eyes start to water.
My brother nods, grabbing his bag and stepping out of the car. “Thanks, Sutton. I love you too. And I promise I’ll take care of Charlotte.”
Sutton looks at me with teary eyes, cups my jaw with his hands, and presses his forehead to mine. I release a trembling breath, feeling his warmth surrounding me, nervous about what’s to come.
“I’m sorry for all this. I hate that I have to leave you. I love you. I fucking love you, and I’ll be back for you.” He kisses me, here in the back seat of a mob car, in the middle of a private airstrip in Provence, and that's when more tears fall.
If I had any subconscious doubts of his love for me, they disappear with this goodbye kiss.
And it’s the hardest goodbye I’ve ever had to make.