Page 12 of Aaron

“I hope you don’t mind riding in a truck. The usual drivers weren’t available. I know the scheduler, Betty. She asked if I’d take you since I live in Maple Creek. It’s the town at the bottom of the mountain.”

“Oh, wow. I guess I got lucky you were around. Thank you. I really appreciate you doing this.”

Abbie’s gaze travels down my body before she meets my gaze. I definitely feel judged, and I don’t like it, but I need the ride since there’s no way to find Gallant Mountain unless you have directions, which I don’t have. Maybe wearing one of my Daddy T-shirts wasn’t the best idea, after all. “They expecting you?” she asks.

I don’t like lying, but in this case, I feel the need. “Yeah, my friend is. She’s with Andrew.” That raises Abbie’s eyebrows again, and she gestures toward the passenger door.

“Climb in. I’ll put your suitcase in the truck bed unless you want to keep it with you?”

I kind of do, but I’m probably just being silly. She’s suspicious, and I can’t really blame her. I’m sure lots of people try to get up to the Gallants’ house without being invited. They’re billionaires and own one of the biggest tech companies in the world. The press probably tries to get in all the time.

After buckling my seatbelt, I watch Abbie add my bag to the things she already has in there. She must have a lot of errands. Everything feels off, but it’s probably just my writer brain working overtime.

When she climbs into the driver’s seat, she glances over at me and smiles for the first time, easing some of my panic.

“It’ll take us about an hour or so to get there. If you call ahead, they’ll watch for us and open the gate.”

“Oh yeah, good idea. I should have thought of that, but I’ve been traveling all day.” I try to sound relaxed, but I’m not sure I pull it off. Why am I getting creepy vibes from her? Is it everyone out here who gives them off? Or just because Jac and I are from the city and used to everyone ignoring you as they try to live their best lives.

Maple Creek is a small town. Jac said they were getting married in the courthouse. I bet it’s charming. Hopefully, I’ll be able to explore it before I head back home, or my brothers drag me to New York. My family will never let me live alone, especially so far from home. Overprotective jerk-burgers. I’ll die if I have to go back to living under my parents’ thumb until they marry me off after having my freedom to go to college. If not for that, I wouldn’t have met my bestie or written my first book.

Merda. I’m daydreaming instead of texting Jac. I hope she answers. What if they won’t let me see her? I’ll do a sit-in. Tie myself to their fence or something. Yeah, that’ll work. Probably. Maybe. Ugh.

I grab my phone out of my backpack. Cavolo. I forgot to turn it on when we landed. Thankfully, I didn’t turn the sound back on before I shut it off, because there are at least a dozen messages. Too bad none of them are from Jaclyn. Even without the notification sounds, it vibrates enough for Abbie to notice.

“You must be popular, huh?”

I look over and roll my eyes before grumbling, “No, not exactly. I have four annoying older brothers who think they can tell me what to do.”

Abbie laughs. “You, too? I’ve got those as well. I guess I’m lucky there are only two of them. But bossy is an understatement.”

“That’s for sure. I call mine jerk-burgers.” I grin, thinking about how pissed they’d be if they heard me say it.

“Ooh, I like that. Mind if I borrow it?” Abbie’s still smiling as she navigates the nearly deserted road. I remember Jac saying it was beautiful; she wasn’t lying.

“Go right ahead.” I scroll through all my messages, skipping past my brothers’ and hoping to find one from Jaclyn. But there’s nothing. She’d better be okay, or I’ll be taking down some mountain men—or my brothers will. No one messes with my bestie.

Cheri: Hey, Jac. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for your wedding. But I have a surprise for you. Me! I’ll be there soon. I can’t wait to see you and meet your new husband. You did get married, right?

While I’m waiting to see if she responds, I read some of my brothers’ messages. Cazzo. They’re on their way. It’s shocking they didn’t beat me here, or maybe they’re already up the mountain waiting for me. Now isn’t that a pleasant thought—not.

I don’t want to deal with them, but I don’t have a choice. There are no options with the Santini family. I suppose I should be happy I escaped for as long as I did. Still, that’s a problem for Future Cheri. First, I need to see Jac to make sure she’s safe and happy.

Cherise: I made it to Asheville, as you already know since you’re tracking my phone. I’m in the car headed to see Jaclyn. Since you’re being your normal bossy selves, I suppose I’ll see you when you get here.

Cris: It took you long enough. See you soon.

Matty: We’re landing in about twenty minutes.

Dante: The advantage of private planes.

Wait. They have a private plane? Since when?

Cherise: When did we get a private plane?

Cris: We didn’t. I did. Dad doesn’t understand the need.

No kidding. Dad hates going anywhere outside of New York. No way would he want to spend money on a private plane. What the hell kind of business is Cris into? Actually, I probably don’t want to know. Sometimes I wonder whether we’re really mafia-adjacent or they just humor me.