AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I had gone to that Lollipop mixer to find someone to help my family. The public wouldn’t care about my desperation and reasons, only that I was searching for a rich guy to sponsor me. It had been one of my biggest regrets. But I couldn’t allow Emily to continue to push for a reaction. But what can I do?
I put on my sunglasses and joined the line as I tightened my hand on my bag. A photographer joined Emily, and even some of the passengers started to record me on their phones in case they were witnessing something useful. How can I get away? Sweat broke across my skin, and my pulse accelerated. I covered my mouth and pressed a fist to my chest.
“Nadia, I want your side of the story. Hey, are you okay?” Emily asked.
I’m fine. I’m strong.
“Nadia,” a familiar, deep voice called from behind me. I turned to find Laurence with two security guards. “Step back.” He motioned for security to surround me, and I swallowed hard. My hand shook as he clasped and squeezed it.
“Sorry, I’m late. My flight from Germany had a delay.”
So, Paul’s not in New York anymore. “I…I didn’t know you were coming.” My eyes glimpsed Emily keeping pace to our right. I held up one of the magazines in front of my mouth. “How did you find out?”
“Your mom gave Gunnar your itinerary.”
Mom was cautious. I wasn’t upset, but that meant I wasn’t taking the flight I booked. “What about my flight? My bags?”
“I already have Nicole working to move your bags. If it’s not possible, André will pick them up in Paris. Don’t worry.”
Laurence and all of Paul’s teams all worked together to make his movements seamless, and now they were doing the same for me. “Thank you.”
We walked the rest of the way out of the airport in silence and into an SUV that another security guard held open for us.
“Paul sent me because—”
“I’d never turn you down if you offered to help. Thank you.”
There were times when I didn’t enjoy Paul’s lifestyle; however, I appreciated him sending Laurence to help me. He’d become my favorite uncle and friend. Still, I’d thought I wouldn’t need security anymore. “Will my life ever return to normal?”
“Probably not anytime soon, I’m afraid. It’s the lawsuit. The defense lawyers are trying to get the trial televised.”
My nerves spiked. “Is that possible?”
“Paul and his team of lawyers are fighting it. Don’t worry.”
I nodded, but my mind raced. Television? It would be a circus. Maybe we should drop the lawsuit. But I knew Paul wouldn’t. He’d never allow anyone to get away with hurting him.
“Is Paul on the plane?” I asked, even though I knew the answer.
“No, Nadia. I’m sorry. He’s working night and day to make sure you and his family are safe.”
My heart panged at the mention of his care and concern. But he hadn’t called me or I, him. He wanted space to think, but I worried about him. “How is he doing?”
“Paul’s sad, like you.”
“He doesn’t have to be,” I whispered and stared out the window.
“That, I agree with,” Laurence replied, and took a phone call.
We were still at the airport but heading down a path that I rode when I landed in Paul’s private plane over a week ago. It bothered me that I wasted money on a flight I couldn’t take. “I feel bad about the cost—”
“There’s no price on your safety. Please put it out of your mind. You tried, Nadia, but there’s too much going on here.”
I bobbed my head and sighed. “I know, and I should have asked for help.”
It was a costly lesson, and one I’d not soon forget.
The plane wasn’t one I recognized, and I was relieved by that. Still, I couldn’t help but think of us lost in each other, holding each other, making love….
