“Thanks.”
I end the call, then dig my own phone out of my pocket. Dialing Sylvia’s number, I wait for the call to connect.
“Hi, Easton,” she answers.
“Hi. I need the private jet ready to go as soon as possible.”
“Where are you going? You have to be on set in three days.”
“It’s a short trip to Verona. I’ll also need a car. Nova’s grandfather isn’t doing too well, and we have to check in on him.”
“Okay. Give me a few minutes to make the arrangements.”
“Thank you.”
Ending the call, I glance at Nova, who’s giving me a questioning look as she says, “I can go on my own.”
I shake my head. “No, I’m going with you. Call Charlotte and ask if she’ll mind picking Lainey up from school and if it’s okay if she can spend the night. Just tell her we have a family emergency to deal with.”
“Are you sure?”
I nod and place her phone in her hand. “Call Charlotte, then text Lainey so she knows she’s spending the night at Porsha’s before you pack a bag for us. I’m going to tell Tyler so he can get the security team ready.”
I dial Tyler’s number, and when he answers, I say, “Sorry to do this to you on your day off, but we need to travel to Verona to check on Nova’s grandfather.”
“I’ll let the others know,” he replies.
I bring up Izak’s number and listen with half an ear as Nova speaks to Charlotte. “Thank you so much. I’ll pack a bag for Lainey and drop it off at your house on the way to the airport.”
If my woman thinks I’m letting her go back to Verona alone, she’s got another thing coming. She’s not leaving my sight while we’re there.
Nova
When we drive past the park in the middle of town, I glance at all the trees and flower boxes lining the sidewalks.
It feels like a lifetime has passed since I was last here.
I really hope we don’t run into Trent. He’s the last person I want to see, and I don’t know how I’ll handle it. With the therapy I’ve been receiving and Easton’s support, I’ve been doing well, but I’m scared coming face-to-face with the bastard will stir up old demons.
Izak turns onto the road that leads to the mountain, and it takes another fifteen minutes before we pull up to my grandfather’s house. It looks more like a weatherworn cabin between the trees than someone’s home.
Taking a deep breath, I climb out of the vehicle and walk to the front door. Easton quickly catches up to me, and when I turn the knob and push open the door, the air is stuffy and smells of rotten food.
God, when last did he open a window?
Entering the living room, I see the man who never really cared about me sitting in the old armchair he’s had all my life. Unable to help it, I still feel a flicker of sadness for him.
“Hi, Grandpa,” I say to get his attention, the title feeling foreign on my lips.
His head snaps up, and I’m stunned by how much he’s aged since I last saw him before winter. I ran into him in town when he came to get supplies, but all he did was grumble at me to get out of his way.
“What do you want?” he barks, a look of disgust making the wrinkles cut deeper into his leathery skin.
“Deputy Stone called me. He said you were wandering around town looking lost.”
“Everyone should mind their own goddamn business!” He grumbles as he stands up from the worn armchair, and not even glancing at Easton, he snaps at me, “Leave before I get my shotgun.”
I look at Easton and whisper, “Can you wait outside, just in case he grabs the shotgun?”
