He leans forward, pressing his forehead to mine and offering his quiet support. “I know this is overwhelming, Han. I know you’re scared, but I promise everything is going to be okay. We’ll make sure of it.”
I nod as a choked sob tears up the back of my throat.
All I ever wanted was to have a life away from my family.
I rejected the trust fund. I didn’t let them pay for college. I haven’t taken a single cent from them since I turned eighteen.
I’ve worked so hard to step out from their shadows, only to have it all blown up before my eyes.
Asher’s palm envelops my cheek, brushing the tears away as they fall. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m so fucking sorry.” His voice sounds just as broken as my heart, but I try to focus on the fact that I still have them. Even if I lose everything else, I have two men who love me, who will always protect me.
And I tell myself that’s enough, even as my chest cracks open at everything I’m losing.
The ride to the airfield is quiet.
I thought we’d be going to JFK, but instead the GPS is leading us toward a private airport in the opposite direction.
I guess it makes sense, not taking me through a major hub while our faces are blowing up everyone’s phone with news of our relationship.
The media has always felt predatory to me, especially gossip pages, but now that I know what it’s like to wake up with my life imploding, I have a newfound hatred for them.
Rowan checks the rearview mirror, meeting my eye for a split second before settling back on the road. He’s done the same thing every minute or so since we left the house.
Wrapping my arms around myself, I bury my face in the oversized sweatshirt I pulled on as we left the house. It’s one of Asher’s, and the traces of his scent that cling to the fabric give me a semblance of peace.
It’s going to be okay.
They’re going to take care of everything.
They’re going to keep me safe.
I’ve repeated the same words to myself over and over, hoping that at some point I’ll start believing them.
I try to convince myself this is going to be an adventure. Our first trip together. But these plans weren’t made with excitement or adventure in mind.
They were made out of necessity because the city is no longer safe for me.
Granddad has proven time and time again that there are no lines he won’t cross to get what he wants, and while I would like to believe he wouldn’t physically harm me, I’m no longer sure that’s the case.
The blinker clicks on as Rowan guides the car through a fence and directly onto the tarmac toward a private plane.
I’m too busy staring at the aircraft with disbelief to notice what lies ahead until the car comes to an abrupt halt, the seat belt tugging me back against the seat.
“Fuck,” Rowan mutters, his fists tightening around the steering wheel.
“How do you want to play this?” Asher asks, his voice calm despite the line of police cars separating us from the plane.
Officers stand behind open doors, their guns drawn and pointed toward us.
Are they here for us?
Silence fills the car, and I turn my attention to Rowan as well. He always knows what to do. He always has the answers.
Except right now, he doesn’t wear the impenetrable armor I’ve come to expect from him.
“Get out of the car with your hands raised,” a voice comes over a megaphone, causing my stomach to roll.
“Are they going to arrest us?” My voice shakes.
