“I’ll find the flight. You get to the airport.”
“Here, I’ll give you my credit card.” I nearly drive off the road as I go for my wallet.
“Absolutely not. I’m rich as fuck. I’m paying for this.”
I pause, considering his offer. My shop has done well, but this would definitely stretch my finances.
“Okay, thank you, primo. I’m grabbing my things.”
“Do you have your identification and cash on you?” Ant asks, and I hear him typing out something on a keyboard.
“Yes,” I say, approaching the driveway to Adrian’s house.
“Then don’t stop. Just go straight to the Manchester airport. I’ll have a ticket waiting for you.”
“Okay,” I say, not the least bit confident I can navigate the roads, even with the app on my phone.
Adrian steps out of the house, his brow quizzical. I wave, not bothering to stop. Minutes later I’m on a highway, terrified. By the time I get to the airport, Ant has forwarded the ticket to me.
“Ant, this is cutting it really close. I don’t even know how to get through the line.”
“You’ve got Global Entry, and I booked you in the meet and greet parking. Go.Run.”
I breathe a sigh of relief as I discover he’s booked me in the closest parking available, and I leave the keys in the console. Zipping through Global Entry, I race to my gate, reaching it just as they’re calling my name for final boarding.
As I find my seat, my text notification goes off.
Tolly: Where are you?
Gone. Where I am is gone.
13
TOLLY
There is no way in hell my father is getting an ounce of cooperation from me. I’ve done my duty, I played the part, but the second I step out to the great hall I fire off a missive to my barrister, telling him my plan for Adrian’s parcel of land.
That accomplished, I cock my ear, listening for Bea and Gael. I need to find them, put them on the plane, and get them the hell away from this place.
I first try the usual route we take to show guests the estate, but I can’t find them anywhere.
Perhaps Bea didn’t give him the usual tour. She can appear to be reserved, but once she trusts you, she’s genuinely kind. I wouldn’t be surprised if she and Gael are fast friends by now. That in mind, I make my way down to the kitchen.
“Lord Middleton?” asks our head chef. “How lovely to see you in the kitchens. Is there anything I can get you?”
“No, I am looking for my sister. She was showing my partner around. He likes to cook and so does she, so I thought they might end up here.”
“I haven’t seen her at all today. She hasn’t been back here since…” He let his words drift off, but we both know what he’s talking about. Since Heli apprenticed here.
I hoof it up to her apartment, but she’s not there, so I start out toward the library, texting them both.
Me: Where are you?
After a few moments with no response, I fire off a quick text to Adrian.
Me: Have you seen Bea or Gael? My negotiations with my father went on for longer than I thought, and now I can’t find them.
Adrian: I haven’t seen Bea, though Gael drove up to the house.
