Chapter 18 #2
“I don’t know, but Jameson is on it. The Crew will find out.” He reaches up, wiping away a tear that’s escaped. Another tear falls.
“I knew something was wrong,” I whisper, and that tightness in my chest worsens. I tremble as the last of the adrenaline rush leaves, grasping for survival next.
“So did I, and you listened and took cover when I told you.” He cups my face, keeping my blurry gaze on him. “Good girl. Thankfully, we came out unharmed.”
Except Xavier.
I swallow hard against the tightness around my throat. As if he can read my thoughts, Leo says, “Xavier will pull through. He’s a tough old man.”
A shaky breath leaves me as the plane jolts a little. I grip the bedspread, staring down at the ground.
“Dear Watson…”
“Are we ever going to see New York again?” I ask abruptly, eyes finding his once more. We’ve had multiple hits on us in only a few weeks. What happens if they follow us to Europe?
The calmness on his face slightly dissipates. He inhales sharply and leans in to kiss my forehead. “I promise you, my dear Watson. I will bring you home. No matter what.”
I fall into his touch, placing my head just underneath his chin. His arms wrap around me, kissing my temple and breathing deep as he holds me. The plane bumps again, and I clutch to him as a wave of fear flickers.
“Not sure what I’ll hate most,” I say as he starts to stroke my back. “The plane ride itself or the stewardess ogling you.”
“Should I fire her?”
“While mid-air?” I almost chuckle against his chest. “Give her a parachute and kick her off?”
“Or I won’t wear anything revealing.”
“I’m not worried, mister. I’m just exhausted and…wrapping my head around us currently flying to Italy.”
I huff, tapping my head against his shoulder as he runs his hands up and down my back. The familiar touch helps the sickly feelings disappear. We’re quiet as the plane bumps, jerking a little as it leans to turn again. I cling to him.
I swear if I’m actually fearful of flying in airplanes, but not helicopters, I’m gonna be pissed. Maybe I should see if Airplane! is on here somewhere. That could help.
Leo starts to stand, bringing me up with him.
He then opens some drawers from off to the side, pulling out lounge wear.
He gets me redressed, and then does the same, but keeps his shirt off.
Next thing I know, I’m put under the covers with him as a television starts to rise from a dresser when he hits a button.
“Well, I seem to be leveling up each time I leave the city,” I murmur, and he cocks a brow at me. “First ferry, helicopter, motorcycle, and now fancy plane with TV. I’m just missing train.”
He snorts as he pulls me close under the covers.
“Shouldn’t you be out there?” I ask him.
“We’re on a damn plane, if they expect me to do anything while flying over the Atlantic, they’re insane.” I burrow closer. He sighs, kissing my temple. “I just want to be with my wife.”
I thread my fingers with his and feel metal.
I glance down, remembering we’re still wearing our wedding rings.
Calmness falls over me that helps soothe my nerves.
More of the anxiousness disappears when I see him pull up one of my favorite movies, and I quietly giggle. “How did you get that on here?”
“Magic, dear Watson.”
I remain propped up against his chest as he pushes play for Reefer Madness: The Musical. It does work as a distraction for a while.
Before we almost finish the movie there’s a knock at the door. Leo scowls at it, throwing the blanket off as he growls opening the door. “I said not to bother us.”
“Xavier made it through surgery,” Owen answers. “He’s stable.”
My body slumps into the bed with relief.
Leo’s voice is low, “Thank you. Go away.”
“Sure thing, boss.” Owen almost sounds amused, closing the door.
Leo returns to the bed, tugging me back into his arms as I start to silently cry. Relief and horror mix as I clutch Leo, who holds me firmly as I tremble in his arms.
Thank fuck Leo had all these movies on board to watch.
Although exhausted, I couldn’t sleep. Several times I thought I would, but then the plane would bump or I’d close my eyes and see blood.
Leo feel asleep, and at one point Joyce came back to deliver a meal.
I had her set it to the side, and once more she lingered as he slept with the blanket not fully covering his naked torso.
I practically threw her out, feeling territorial. I’m not usually like this, but seeing someone watch him while he was basically vulnerable…well, she best thank the stars I didn’t punch her.
Eventually, he woke up and ate, then fell asleep again. Glad someone was getting some shut eye. I went out and sat with the Crew for a bit. All of them grabbed some sleep or ate it seemed except me. My stomach wouldn’t stop churning, and random headaches kept forming.
Instead, I did what I did best: watched movies like Fern Gully, The Pagemaster, and even A Troll in Central Park. Covered the classics.
Leo’s up and moving as it feels like my brain is being pulled in different directions. He’s getting dressed as I switch it up and start Roman Holiday. At some point, I feel him come over and press a hand against my forehead.
“Autumn, have you slept at all?”
I shake my head numbly.
He starts to gently lay me down into the bed. “Try to get some sleep before we land.”
He pulls the blanket over me as I still watch Audrey Hepburn on the screen. Leo sits on the edge, stroking my hair back. He continues the comforting gesture, and finally my eyes flutter closed.
All too soon, I’m woken up by Leo, who rocks me gently.
“Sweetheart, we’re landing soon,” he murmurs, helping me sit up as my eyes remain closed. My entire body feels heavy and hollow at the same time. I start mumbling something even I can’t decipher.
“Arms up.” I do as he says, lifting them as he pulls off my sweaty shirt, replacing it with a sweater.
He gets me to stand, tapping my legs to lift up to remove my pants, and then pulls on some leggings.
My head rolls back, too tired to fight him.
He sits me on the bed, putting socks on me and then shoes.
I groan a little, stomach churning once more.
Leo picks me up, carrying me out of the room. He puts me in a seat, buckling me in.
“Barchen…you good?” Rudy’s voice sounds far away.
“She barely slept,” Leo answers. A headache starts to form, and I scrunch my brows. “Did she eat with any of you?”
There’s mumblings of no. A hand presses against my forehead again.
“Is she sick?” Rudy asks.
“No, I think just exhausted,” Leo answers quietly. I feel him lean away, and whisper, “Have Aurelio contact a doctor to be on standby, just in case.”
“Sure thing, boss,” Owen answers quietly.
I mumble to myself, wanting to just fucking sleep or just slump into a pile of pillows. It’s like I’ve been hit by a truck and my stomach hurts. Probably lack of eating.
Leo kisses my head, stroking my hair as I hear more buckles being clicked shut.
“Just sleep, dear Watson,” Leo whispers against my ear. “You’re safe.”
I grumble in response, fading into the darkness behind my eyes.
One moment we’re jostling in the air, and I swear the next we’re landing.
My breath catches as I cling to the armrest when the plane touches ground.
Leo’s hand is wrapped around mine, thumb stroking over my skin.
Time jumps as the next moment I feel him unbuckling me.
“Arms around me, sweetheart,” he murmurs against my ear.
I wrap them around his neck, and he lifts me up, tugging my legs around his torso. His arm tightens around my waist, holding me against him as he walks us out of the plane.
The last thing I remember is Joyce’s soured face and fake smile. I flip her off and she gapes at me as I close my eyes and settle back into my husband’s arms.