Chapter 40 Jake
Waking Jade up was not something any of us wanted to do, not even Zander, after Rick pointed out that she would once again be afraid.
It couldn’t be helped, though. No matter how you fly or how safe an aircraft is, everyone has to buckle for takeoff and landing.
The good news was she wouldn’t have to freak out for long.
Bad news was she probably wouldn’t like this part any more than she had the rest, maybe even less.
Landing and takeoff were always the hardest for newer flyers, in my experience.
The second I open the door to the bedroom, Kratos’s eyes pop open. I’m not sure if he’s the lightest sleeper ever or if he never went to sleep to begin with. I don’t ask. Kratos isn’t exactly easy to read, and while he hasn’t killed me yet, I don’t think that means he won’t.
I find Jade easily enough, snuggled up to his chest with Spencer pressed up behind her.
She looks so peaceful lying there, nothing like she was earlier or like she has been all week.
This whole thing is weighing on all of us, but she’s really been pushing herself.
We all see it, but all we can do is help with the plan.
Handling Ivan is the only thing that will put a stop to this and let her live the life she damn well deserves.
“We’re getting ready to land,” I whisper. I came in here intent on waking Jade, but seeing her like this, I don’t have the heart.
Kratos nods, and I make my escape when he moves to wake her.
I’ve always said there was nothing I couldn’t handle after losing my mother and growing up with my father.
Clawing my way into Vengeance to escape the life I hated, I’d been prepared to do whatever I needed to, no matter the cost to myself or others.
I’d like to say that’s still mostly true, but I’d be lying. I can’t bring myself to wake Jade, because I don’t want to be the reason she’s upset. From drug deals and clubs with any girl I wanted… to this.
A smile pulls at my lips as I return to my seat and buckle in, letting Rick know they’ll be out in a minute.
I never would have guessed I’d be here, especially not with them, but somehow, this is exactly where I want to be.
The landing was pretty rough. At one point, I thought Jade might actually snap the arm off her chair.
I’d never seen anyone get off and back onto solid ground as fast as she did.
Going so far as to sit on the ground and loudly tell us all how she would never get back in the ‘tin can of death,’ as she called it.
None of us dared tell her that was her only way home. That was a problem for later.
Elio’s driver met us out in front of the airport with a limousine.
It wasn’t something I gave a second thought to.
I’d become used to them, with my father always being chauffeured around in them.
Jade, on the other hand, was not used to them.
Of course, Elio went all out. The BMW X6 even had the falcon-wing door in the center, and judging by Jade’s wide eyes, she was more than impressed.
The drive wasn’t long, and it was more than comfortable. We all took turns pointing things out to Jade as she watched out the window in amazement. It didn’t matter if it was a cool building, the ocean view, or just people on the street. Her eyes lit up every single time.
The driver let us know as we approached the house, but even if he hadn’t, I would have known as we started up the hill.
Everything was perfect, from the grass to the trees, in a way that screamed money.
I’d grown up being called a spoiled rich kid, but this…
This put the money my father had to shame, and we hadn’t even seen the house yet.
Elio stands waiting out front for us as the car stops. Zander is out of the car so fast that I didn’t even see him get up before he reaches back to pull Jade out with him.
“Fuck, it’s like a whole new playground for him,” Spencer grumbles, rubbing a hand down his face as if he’s exhausted by the thought.
“Maybe Jade can keep him busy,” Rick says with a shrug, watching Zander as he bounces with excitement, waiting for us to exit the car.
Kratos barks a laugh, shaking his head as he moves toward the door. “I wouldn’t count on that being better. No, them together might be more trouble,” he says, causing both of them to sigh before sliding out. Leaving Trent and I to follow.
“Welcome, friends!” Elio says with a warm smile. “Please, come in, come in,” he says, waving us in as he turns toward the house.
He’s not at all what I would have thought the leader of the Italian mafia to be, but I guess I should be used to that after Jade turned out to be Froggie.
The thought still blows my mind, honestly.
For years, we heard horror stories about Froggie and those who crossed him.
We worked for him, feared him, and respected him.
Now, he is actually she, and while she’s no less dangerous and respected, we don’t fear her, not in the same way.
No, now our loyalty comes from something more important than fear.
It comes from a need to protect her and keep her safe and happy.
“Holy shit!” Zander's shout echoes off the walls of the spacious house as he pulls Jade with him to look around.
“The pool is in the house!”
Zander turns to us as we reach them, and sure as hell, the pool really is in the house. There’s no better way to describe his face than like a kid in a candy store as he continues to pull Jade here and there, and I get the feeling Spencer was right to be exhausted by him.
Elio gives us a tour of the house, if you can even call it that.
With fourteen bedrooms, outdoor and indoor living spaces, not one but two full kitchens, a bar, a full gym with an outdoor track, a garden, and a helipad, I’d hardly call it a house.
Mansion might even be a gross understatement if you ask me, but I’m not sure there is a word that could do it justice.
After our very long tour, Elio takes us back toward the main entrance, where he gives us the wing near his study to use for the week.
What a single guy needs fourteen bedrooms for, I’m not sure I want to know, but I can’t deny its usefulness right now. Not that it really matters. Somehow, I doubt everyone will stay in their own rooms.
After the tour, we return to the living room, one of the three he has.
This one happens to be the one that has the pool entrance.
Everyone takes their seats, and I watch as Jade eyes the water before sitting as far away from it as possible.
It’s strange, but before I can really think about it, Kratos and Elio start talking about the plan for the party, and I all but forget.
The plan is pretty simple, in all honesty.
One of the things that really makes or breaks it is Dom’s ability to get their father here.
He and Leo left earlier this week to meet with some people to make it happen.
As of now, we have not heard from them to know whether they were successful.
Whoever it was they came to meet must be someone Elio has a lot of faith in, though, because the way he talks, it’s as if it were a done deal.
Let’s hope so, for all our sakes.
The next morning, I hop in the shower before I head to the main kitchen in search of coffee. The food in Italy is fantastic, but the coffee is one of my favorites.
I expected to be the first awake, or at least the first to venture out, but when I turn the corner, I find Kratos and Rick already sitting in the living area. They both look up as I enter the room, nodding in greeting. I do the same before I continue toward the kitchen.
“Don’t bother,” Rick calls, making me stop short.
“Elio might have toned it down to help us lie low, but the kitchen staff won’t let us near the kitchen, let alone make our own coffee,” he says, and I hear the bite of irritation in his tone.
Rick might be a health nut, but the man lives on coffee.
I pray for the sad soul who thought it might be a good idea to keep him from it.
“Don’t be so dramatic, Rick.” Kratos laughs. “They brought us some, and it’s damn good, too. You’ve just got a stick up your ass because it’s fucking with your morning routine.”
Rick glares at him before taking a swig from the mug he has a death grip on. “It doesn’t matter how good it is. I don’t like being told what I can and can’t do,” he grumbles, reaching for the pot and pouring himself some more.
Walking toward them, I snort a laugh before I can stop myself. Rick turns his glare to me, and while I might not like to mess with Kratos, Rick and I have been at odds for years. Hell, all three of them hated me, and I can’t say I didn’t feel the same.
“Something funny?” he asks, raising his brow. Rick isn’t easy to read. He does a damn good job of keeping his emotions in check, always has, but after a few years, I’ve learned to look past his face.
His posture is relaxed as he leans back into the cushion. His leg is propped up so that his ankle rests on his opposite knee, one elbow resting on the back of the couch with his mug in one hand and a saucer in the other. Rick is threatening by nature, but right now, he’s not actually upset.
Italy might have great coffee, but its serving sizes are not at all the same as America’s, and as such, the mugs are quite a bit smaller. They almost look like toys in their large hands, which makes me think of them having a tea party. It’s a ridiculous thought, but funny as hell.
“No, nothing,” I tell him with a shake of my head as I pour myself a mug and sit. “I just didn’t know taking orders was so hard for you. You seem to do just fine when Jade tells you what to do.”