53. Chapter Fifty-Three
Chapter fifty-three
Adair
After our conversation, Jensen cleaned up the makeshift triage area before heading back to his seat, and Lukas immediately took the empty spot next to me.
“Tori… I… I don’t know what to say. I feel like part of this is my fault, somehow.”
I shook my head. “It’s not. You couldn’t have known.
One of the clauses in the contract was that we weren’t to speak of it in public.
It was very specifically worded.” Guilt swirled in his eyes, and I leaned forward, pulling him into a hug.
“Please don’t beat yourself up over this. It won’t change what happened.”
“But you’re family. I… We should have protected you better. He should have protected you better.”
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. There is still so much he doesn’t know. “Your family did, remember? Your mom and certain trusted employees have gone above and beyond, keeping me alive all these years. More than my family ever would have done.”
Lukas leaned back and stared at me. “How have you lived with the anger and disappointment? Because I am struggling. I thought it was bad enough knowing Liam is the reason Dad is dead, but to know he tried to take you out, too? I… I swear to god I’m going to kill that man if I ever see him again.”
“No. You. Won’t.” I practically growled the words.
“I don’t want that black mark on your soul.
You’re better than him. Please let that be enough.
Besides, seeing me alive and well and happy will torture him and Susan more than his death ever could soothe your rage. Focus on that, if anything. Please.”
He stared at me for several long moments before letting out a sigh. “Okay.”
“Do you need a drink?”
Lukas chuckled. “You know, after everything that has happened this morning, I think I do.” He turned toward Maloy. “Any chance there’s more alcohol?”
“I got you.”
After Reynolds played flight attendant and made sure everyone had some kind of beverage, Lukas sat next to Quinn again, and I leaned against Peter, resting my head on his shoulder.
“You still doing okay?”
I glanced up at him, noting the concern in his eyes. “Yeah. As much as I can right now.”
“You want to try sleeping for a few, or at least resting your eyes?”
“Do I have to move?”
He shook his head. “Nope. You can even use me as a pillow if you want to lie down.”
I slid onto my side and did just that, smiling when Peter helped me with my blanket. Taking a deep breath, I thought about how amazing it was going to be to hug Lynette again and let that comfort me. As I drifted off, I could have sworn Peter was playing with my hair again.
Peter
“She got more important, I see.”
I glanced to my left to see Lukas watching us. “I care about her safety and well-being and comfort. No one should have to go through any of the shit she has. I can’t imagine living through all that.”
“I agree.” He let out a sigh and kissed the top of Quinn’s head.
“There’s still so much I don’t know about the past seven years of her life.
I hope once we’re all in the same room, everything comes out.
” Rage burned in his eyes. “I don’t know how Lianne is going to let Liam live after she finds out everything. ”
“I do. Chloe.”
Lukas opened his mouth and paused as he thought about my response. “You make an excellent point. Lianne and I would never let anything bad happen to our niece if we could help it.”
The next hour passed in comfortable silence. The co-pilot came out before beginning our initial descent to the city and reminded us to stay seated until we were on the ground.
I glanced down and brushed a lock of hair off Adair’s face. “Hey, we’re going to be landing soon. We should go back to the regular seats.”
Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at me sleepily. “Already?”
“Yeah. You were asleep for almost an hour.”
She sat up, rolled her shoulders, and moved off the couch. It wasn’t long before her gaze was firmly fixed on something outside the window. “God, I’ve missed this view.”
Leaning closer to her, I smiled as I looked at the Chicago skyline in the distance, standing proudly against the backdrop of Lake Michigan. “It’s a good one.”
Adair sniffled and rested her chin on her hand as she stared outside. It gave me another perfect opportunity to study her face. The swarm of emotions swirling in her eyes. The measured breathing that had returned.
Oh, Hummingbird. It’ll get better soon. I promise.
As we closed in on the airport, Maloy turned around in his seat.
“Everyone needs to close the window shades before we touch down and then leave them closed. We don’t want any chance of someone seeing who is on this plane.
Once we have landed, Captain Martin is going to taxi off the runway and straight into an empty hangar that Dallas and San Augustine crews will both have checked and cleared. ”
Shit, Don San Augustine was involved too? That was some favor, Lianne.
He went on. “Once we are inside the hangar and the engines are off, someone will close the hangar doors. Only then will we open the door to the plane. Reynolds will get off first to confirm everything is secure. When he gives me the sign, the four of you will disembark. Understood?”
We all nodded and closed all the window screens.
When the plane banked to turn, Adair sucked in a tiny gasp and grabbed my hand. “This part always makes me nervous. Not being able to look outside makes it worse.”
Like every other time, I gave her hand a squeeze and leaned my head closer to hers. “And like I keep saying, I’m right here. Not going anywhere. You’re safe with me.”
It wasn’t long before the wheels touched down and we were rolling along the runway. Almost immediately, Maloy was out of his seat and standing in the door to the cockpit.
Time crawled by, and it felt like forever before the plane slowed to a stop. A couple minutes later, the engines cut, and I looked at Maloy, who nodded at Reynolds.
As described, he opened the door and stepped off the plane. Several long minutes passed before Reynolds reappeared and nodded. “We’re good.”
Jensen stood and looked at us. “Let’s head out. Lukas, Quinn, you’re first. Vict—Adair, you and Grant will be next. I’ll be the last one out.”
After I helped Adair shrug into her coat, she immediately grabbed my hand. “I know you have my back, but can you go out first?”
I nodded. “Of course. I am your shield, after all.”
She rolled her eyes and failed at containing a smirk. “Yeah, you are.”
As I stepped out of the plane and made my way down the stairs, four SUVs were parked in a row with Dallas and San Augustine associates standing nearby.
And not just any associates, the Don Supreme himself.
Next to him was his Tech Specialist, Emily Lindholm, and one of his scrappier bodyguards, Sparrow.
On the other side of Don Dallas was Dominic San Augustine, Don San Augustine’s second, and Darrell Winchester, his enforcer and main bodyguard.
Holy shit, there are a lot of important people here.
I heard Adair gasp behind me before she gripped my hand tighter.
Once we were on the ground, Don Dallas walked over, eyes wide, as he looked at the woman clinging to my arm.
He glanced around and then took a step closer before speaking very quietly.
“Lynette mentioned her long-lost child was coming home. I thought she was teasing about Lukas. I never thought she was talking about her almost daughter-in-law. Hello, Ms. Vaux. It is a distinct pleasure to see you alive and well.”
“Thank you, sir. It’s a pleasure to be alive and well.”
He shook his head as he stared at her, keeping his voice low.
“I won’t press you for any details about where you have been right now.
From what Lynette mentioned, you’ve had several quite turbulent years.
I don’t want to add to what is already a very stressful time.
I do want to say that despite the unpleasantness that I had to end with other members of your family, I won’t hold their choices or family name against you. ”
She took a breath and let it out slowly. “Thank you, sir. I’m not exactly pleased with a lot of their choices, either.”
He arched one eyebrow slightly before nodding. “Well, It was a pleasure to assist in bringing you and the Agostis home. Maloy, Reynolds, San Augustine, and Winchester will ensure that you arrive at your destination safely. I look forward to seeing you again, Ms. Vaux.”
“You as well, Don Dallas.”
He stood taller and spoke at a normal volume, “Lukas, Mrs. Agosti, Grant, it’s good to see you all as well. It was an honor to serve at the request of Don Agosti. Safe journeys.” He smirked at Lukas when his jaw slacked slightly at the Don’s words.
A moment later, Lukas nodded. “Thank you, Don Dallas. But if I may, who’s driving us there if you’re leaving?”
Dominic San Augustine cleared his throat.
“We will be transporting you to the Agosti compound.
No one would question why I would be visiting your family's home. And while no one would question a Dallas vehicle being there, either, it might raise an eyebrow if they tracked it coming from the airport.”
A grin appeared on Quinn’s face. “Because of Sunny?”
Dominic smiled. “Yes. They haven’t moved into their own place yet.” He then looked at Maloy. “How are we splitting up the six of you?”
Maloy stepped forward. “I’ll be in your vehicle with Grant and his companion. Reynolds will accompany Lukas and Quinn in Winchester’s vehicle.”
Over the next several minutes, luggage was transferred from the plane to the SUVs and everyone loaded up.
The Dallas SUVs left first, with us following.
Lukas and Maloy had insisted both ladies keep their hoods up and scarves wrapped around the lower half of their faces in addition to having sunglasses on while in the car. Nobody wanted to take any chances.
Anxiety rolled off Adair in waves as we settled into the SUV, and like before, I took her hand in mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. “We’re good.”
She nodded. “Rationally, I know that, seeing as we are being escorted by people handpicked by Lianne and the Don Supreme. It makes us safer, but I also know it makes us a bigger target.”
Maloy glanced over his shoulder. “Someone would have to be absolutely psychotic to go after these vehicles.”
“Oh, you mean like my sister and Liam?”
Maloy’s hand balled into a fist. “Yes, like them.” He grumbled for a moment before looking out the window, and I swore I heard something about how he had wished he had been there that night.