“No comment.” I mumble into my coffee cup. He throws his head back and laughs.
I narrow my eyes at him. “You seem in a very good mood.”
“I am. Do you want to know why?”
“You’re going to tell me anyway…” I point out.
He shrugs. “True. We are going to Monaco tomorrow. I think I know just how to fix this. It will require some rather skilful acting on your part though.”
I press my lips together at the rather unpleasant thought of seeing my mother again. So, I have to make a choice by tomorrow, Monaco or Norway. Theo or Harry. How can I abandon my brother? How can I not let Theo at least try to save everything I’ve worked for? Those are my choices, but only one I can live with. I won’t live with what if’s. I’d rather go to prison than walk away, never knowing whether I threw away my only chance at real happiness. “Acting I can do.”
I drive to the runway with a heavy feeling in my chest. I know in my gut, I’m making the right choice. If I don’t do this then I will always be running, always thinking what if. Whereas if I do this now, then I’m giving the man I love a chance to save me, to save us.
The security guard at the gate allows me through, and I drive across the wide open expanse of the private airfield. A few small planes are dotted around, and Theo’s top of the range jet looks very out of place.
I check my watch. I’m supposed to meet my brother in six hours’ time. I still haven’t told him I’m not going with him to Norway. God, for all I know I could end up going to Norway, I’ll just be flying from Monaco rather than London. Of course, if we fail, then that option may also be off the table. Everything hangs in a very precarious balance.
I pull my car into a hangar, beside Theo’s Range Rover. He’s leant against the front of the enormous car, with his ankles crossed and his hands pushed into the pockets of his suit trousers. I’m still dressed in my work wear, and the clicking of my heels echoes around the large hangar.
He smiles at me when I approach. “You ready?” He asks.
I lift up my small over-night bag. “Yeah, I didn’t pack much. One night right?”
He nods. “One night, and this should all be over if everything goes to plan.”
“Are you going to fill me in on this plan at some point?”
He glances up at me with a small smile on his lips. “I will tell you all on the way, but right now…” He pushes away from the car and steps up to me, his chest brushing mine. “I haven’t had a kiss yet today.”
“I haven’t seen you yet today.” I laugh.
He grins cockily, pressing his palm against the small of my back. “Lay one on me, sugar.” He says, making no move toward me.
I fight a smile, as I reach up on tiptoes to press my lips against his. He nips at my bottom lip playfully, as his hands grip my waist firmly. I smile against his lips. Being near him is like stepping into a black hole. No matter how bad shit gets, when I’m with him, it all just falls into the background. It’s as though all I can focus on is him, and his electric touch.
He releases me and steps back. “That was worth waiting for.” He winks and takes my bag from me. He holds out his hand, which I take, before he leads me toward the plane.
I almost always bring some work with me on plane journeys, but Monaco is only a couple of hours, and I have a feeling I may need to listen well to whatever plan Theo has going on. He said I would have to act. I just hope he doesn’t want me to pretend I like my mother. That is the one thing I don’t think I can do.
I ask the flight attendant to bring me a very strong coffee. It’s been a long day, in fact, it’s been a bloody gruelling week, and I’m running on fumes. Theo has a whiskey.
“Okay, so the plan, tell me.” I say. His eyes flick to the flight attendant who is tidying the bar in the corner.
“Jo, that will be all. Thank you.” He says in his big boss man voice. The young guy smiles and leaves the cabin. Once Jo has left he turns to me and leans forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. “This is risky, and it may not work, but if it does…” His eyes meet mine, relaying the importance of this entire situation. “If it does, then you and Harry will not only be free and clear, but you will be the ones with the leverage.”
I nod. “Okay, tell me what you need me to do.”
We land in Monaco, and even though it’s late evening, the heat is too much for my jacket and skirt ensemble. I take my jacket off as soon as we get off the plane. There’s a car waiting for us on the runway. Theo thanks the pilot and Jo as he leaves the plane.