“No thanks needed. You guys are my family. I should be thanking you for sending Mason to drive me to the airport.”
There’s a chuckle.
“As you said, no thanks needed. It was the least I could do.” There’s a pause. “Well, that’s all. We’ll see you in a couple of months for the wedding.”
“That you will,” I say, trying to inject some enthusiasm into my words.
I’m tired, and leaving home and Mum is always hard. I know all I need is to get back to Kris, and everything will be fine. Once I’m back with him, these feelings of uncertainty will disappear, I’m sure of it.
“Take care, Gabe, and give your wife and son an enormous hug from me.”
“See you, Pen, safe travels.”
Gabriel cuts off, and I stare out of the window. It’s not long before we’re turning into the airport. Mason oversees my check-in before driving me out to the plane, which is ready and waiting.
“Thank you, Mason,” I say, offering him my hand.
“You’re welcome. Take care of yourself.”
“You too.”
I make my way to the foot of the steps where Kris’s crew is on hand to welcome me onboard.
“Afternoon, Ms Dawson.”
“Afternoon.”
I make my way into the cabin and settle at the table, pulling out my laptop.
I logon, and answer the host of emails that are waiting for me, only stopping to stare out of the window as we taxi down the runway. My heart sinks as we speed up. My mouth is dry, my chest tight. I grip the seat as I’m overcome with the sudden need to get off, as though I’ve forgotten something important. I suck in air and close my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. I inhale for four then exhale for four, continuing the process until the wheels of the plane leave the ground and London is far behind me.
CHAPTER 34
ELIJAH
Bad news travels fast.
Peter Levon’s arrest hit the newspapers within days, and I’ve spent the past couple of weeks firefighting. The morning after the arrest I called a board meeting, updating them on what had gone down. They weren’t impressed I’d withheld the information from them, but when I explained the necessity of keeping it quiet, they backed down.
“So what happens now?” Gabriel asks.
He finally managed to convince me to join them at boys’ night. I must say, it’s been fun. With Lottie in Italy for a few more weeks, I needed a distraction.
“We’ve postponed the new release to retest everything Pen, and I did and for client reassurance.”
“What’s the fallout been?”
I run a hand through my hair, looking at my brother.
“Some clients have left, which was inevitable. Others have decided, better the devil you know. There’s been no lasting damage, or at least that’s what the company’s PR team is telling us. Being open and transparent appears to have gone a long way in calming the media storm.”
I wonder if Pen and whoever herhandleris have smoothed the way.
I still shudder whenever I think of what could have happened had I not come across that email.
It was as if fate had stepped in.
“How did Todd take it?”
