Jaime’s eyes darkened, and he shook his head. “We? No, my plane does not fit all of you. It fits six.”
There was a moment when we all took in his words.
“Okay, so how many people do you have?” Ludovica asked.
“The pilot, me, you,” he pointed to Scout. “Your bird and any other belongings will cover the other seats.”
“Fuck that. She’s not going then,” I snarled.
“Now hold on,” Scout put her hands out between us. “What if…” she paused as she tried to think. “I bring Ludovica with me on the plane. Then Desi, you drive down there with the bird and any extra luggage?”
“Why do I have to drive?” I demanded.
“Because I absolutely will not,” Ludovica declared. “I like this plan. I could use a vacation.”
“Fuck you.” I raised my middle finger to her. Was she really going to make me drive from Ohio to Mexico? Elvie stuck out her tongue and rolled her eyes. She knew that for Scout, I’d do just about anything.
“Desi, can you do that?” Scout reached for my hand, and when I looked into her eyes, I knew I would never, ever tell her no.
I sighed. “I fucking guess. Let’s get you packed.”
34
“You can’t be serious about this,” I smirked as I watched Scout pack for Mexico. I crossed my arms and watched from the closet entrance.
“I am. You don’t understand, Desi. I’ve never known my family. I’ve spent so long looking for them, this is it. I have to go.”
“No, I get that.” I shook my head. “I’m talking about just up and leaving with a stranger. Why can’t I just take you?”
“Ludovica is coming with me.” She shrugged.
I glowered.
“I don’t like it,” I said.
“I don’t care,” She shot me right back. The closet went quiet other than the shuffling of clothes into her duffel bag. Finally, she stood and picked up, tossing the strap over her shoulder. “I love you, I do. But I need to do this my way.”
She came over to me and raised her hand. She started to place her hand on my cheek, but she paused. We both noticed how stiff she was, and she forced a smile and opted to pat my shoulder instead.
I was beyond confused. She was hot and cold. She had kissed me on the boat, then didn’t want me near her in the hotel. Then that night, we had some of the hottest sex I’d ever experienced, and now, we were back to being awkward.
“What’s going on with us?” I asked softly. I let out a breath. I was lost. “Tell me how to fix this.”
Her fake smile fell and was replaced with a natural, more sympathetic one. She nodded and looked away from me.
“I know. I’m still—processing things. I want to be with you, but I just need to work through my feelings. Let me go. Trust me to go without you.” She looked back at me and smiled reassuringly. “Give me this, and in time, I’ll be able to give you me again.”
I stared at her with my brows furrowed, trying to understand.
That’s it? She just wanted… time?
“Desi, I love you, you fucking loser,” she laughed and stood on her tiptoes to give me the quickest peck on the lips. I took it gratefully as if I were starving to death, and she had just handed me a single roll.
We got everything prepared so she could leave with Ludovica and Jaime. By midnight, we were taking them to the airport, where the private plane was waiting. I gave her a tight hug and let her go, just like she had requested.
After the women vampires boarded, Jaime hung behind. We both shared an awkward look, waiting to hear the other speak. Finally, he dug into his pockets and offered me a tight smile.
“Your brother, Gianni,” he struggled with his accent to say the Italian-based name. “Gave me this to hold. He said if you let her go with me to give this to you.”
