“Then, what’s the problem? People fall apart all the time, and then, they fall back together,” Evan whispers the truth.
“I can’t honestly believe that we could fall apart so easily,” he tells me.
“What about your mother? The Duke? Everything else?” I ask.
“Who cares?” Evan whispers.
I must focus.
“We said friends, right?” I remind him.
Evan groans.
“Okay, you win, friends don’t just sleep together,” Evan says.
But, he doesn’t pull away from me.
Not yet.
“Let’s talk about something else, how did you meet Leigha?” I ask him.
Evan laughs.
“Leigha is a long story, I was on my last boarding school, and I didn’t give a shit. She was assigned to me as a tutor. Instead, she became one of my stoner friends. Of course, she graduated top of our class, well her class. That’s the school I was kicked out of for selling SAT answers. Made a mint, too,” he laughs.
“I can actually see you doing that,” I laugh.
“I even had to pay it all back, but when my dad heard, we went on a long ride in my favorite helicopter. He didn’t want to outwardly reward me, but, he wanted to show me he was proud, I think,” Evan explains.
“And what were your stoner days like?” I question.
“You mean, since I don’t smoke pot anymore?” Evan quips.
He sits up a little, thinking for a long moment.
“Back in boarding school, we were the crew. There was me, Merc, Leigha, and Bryant. Leigha would make notes in this fat little notebook. How many bowls we’d smoked, where we were, you name it. I think she still has it somewhere,” Evan explains.
“And the rest of them?” I ask.
“Bryant is still in school, Merc joined the army like me,” Evan swallows hard.
“Merc?” I ask with trepidation.
“Merc, short for Mercutio, from that Shakespeare play. I flew choppers and Merc was just ground crew, expendable to them I guess. He was in another chopper in front of me when they were hit, and… well, he didn’t make it,” Evan admits.
“Evan, I’m so sorry,” I tell him.
Even though I know that nothing can make up for that pain.
“He was a good guy, didn’t deserve that, not at all. But bad things happen to good people all the time. At the funeral, they present your family with the flag off the casket, and since his mother was too much of a mess, and his brother was killed in the war a few months before, I did it myself. I wanted to make sure he got the honor he deserved,” he says, quietly.
Evan’s story is heartbreaking.
“Oh Ev, I’m so sorry, I never-” I start.
“Vic it’s okay. I mean, you know, really it’s never okay, but you are the last person who should apologize. War is war. We always knew what we were getting ourselves into and quite frankly, I’m surprised I came out alive myself,” he admits.
The sadness drawn across his features tells me that Evan is apparently not okay.
He still struggles with this but keeps that behind closed doors.
I don’t say a word.
“I just keep thinking, if Merc had just been in my chopper, or I was in the one ahead I could’ve saved us both…” Evan says, emotionless.
“Evan, there was nothing you could’ve done,” I remind him.
“But it was stupid. I just acted like a grunt, did whatever they wanted. I should’ve demanded he be in my chopper that day,” Evan continues.
“Evan,” I say.
I take his hands in mine.
“You have to realize that everything happens for a reason,” I tell him.
He turns to me, and his eyes appear as though they are about to water.
Evan blinks a few times.
“I know,” Evan responds.
“Life just isn’t fair,” he says.
Then, he pulls me tightly against him, and we lay in silence.
Somewhere along the lines, we fall asleep.
28
Evan
January 9, 2018
When I wake up, Victoire is already in the washroom, probably about to get ready for today.
It’s a while before she emerges from the washroom.
I wonder if I’ll regret telling her about the war?
It’s heavy stuff that weights on my chest like a constant nightmare.
Maybe I was only a pilot, perhaps I was just the guy with the chopper, but there were plenty of times when there was nothing I could do because I couldn’t get to my guys in time.
It weighs heavy on my heart sometimes.
When I first got back, all I could do was smoke pot and hope that the memories would just fade.
Eventually, they did.
I’ve been back to my old self for a while, but a part of me, a big part of me, wants to go back to flying choppers.
The trip to Hawaii helped me consolidate these feelings, somewhat.
I served a purpose, people depended on me, and knew that I could be counted upon.
A part of me owes it to Merc.
I lay in bed and try to remember the last words Merc ever said to me, only I didn’t know they would be his last.
Vic emerges from the washroom, in a tight little bandage dress in an evergreen color with a bulky sweater draped over her shoulders.
“You’re up early,” I tell her.
“Always,” she responds.
She seems a little out of sorts, but I don’t want to press it.
“Where are you going so early?” I ask.
“I’ve got a breakfast with a friend,” she says breezily.
“Then, I will be back, and I am at your disposal,” Vic says.
“Alright,” my voice is light.
She takes one good look at me, the leans over the bed to give me a kiss.
Then, she’s gone out the door.
My father is in his office in the house.
Polished wood paneling and an incredible skylight fill the space along with various priceless books he’s never touched.
“Evan,” he says, looking up from his newspaper.
“You’re all over the papers in a good way, for once. However did we manage that?” he laughs.
“Maybe they just like me in England,” I joke.
“So you say,” he replies wryly.
“I’d be more concerned about mom, than anything else,” I remind my father.
His serious expression doesn’t change.
“Lucius said she’s as much as admitted to the murder of Dominic Ventretti through various sources, so I can probably guess that she wanted to keep Ventretti quiet in regards to what she did to me. Unless there’s a bigger picture. Are you sure she killed him?” My father asks.
“Dad, I was at that club that night. When mother was there. I spoke to Dominic Ventretti. He wants Vic’s father dead,” I explain.
“You saw her!” my dad gasps.
His eyes go wide, and worry lines crease his face.
“More than saw her, I spoke with her. I now realize she apologized for what happened to NLS,” I recall.
I didn’t know what my mother had apologized for at the time, but now I understood.
“So, she admitted she was behind this?” he confirms.
He has regained composure now, his gaze as steady as ever.
“Why though?” he asks.
“Fiji,” I tell him.
“You won that Island from Michael Bishop, long before we ever knew Vic. That island was being used for one of their front operations. My guess is human trafficking,” I tell my dad.
He sighs heavily.
“That man always was trouble. Damned poker,” he swears.
If it weren’t for that poker game, maybe none of this would’ve happened?
“If your mother used Ventretti for something, whoever is behind the Ventretti Crime family, has some sort of tie to your mother,” he says.
“Or, she was simply u
sing him for I.S.A.,” he suggests.
“She could’ve easily been getting girls from Ventretti,” I add.
“Ventretti said that Michael Bishop cost him a lot, when he lost that island,” I say.
“Ventretti sounds like a pawn like there’s more to this, but I don’t know what. Someone must be running the Ventretti Crime Family from behind the scenes,” he assumes.
“You think?” I ask.
“Your mother could very well be capable of that,” he adds.
“This is more fucked up than we thought,” I sigh.
“What are we going to do?” I ask.
“Well now that Aidan and Lucius are in England,” Noah Stone pauses.
“Do you know why Aidan’s been out of sorts lately?” he asks suddenly.
“Probably because mom kissed him at the club that night,” I say casually.
My dad starts to laugh, and his laughter bellows through the office.
“Oh, that would do it! Aidan has been chasing your mother down forever, only to be face to face with the woman and have her force a kiss on him!” he continues to laugh.
“It’s really not that funny,” my voice is dry.
“No, but it is very typical of your mother,” he reminds me.
“That’s true enough,” I admit.
“The question is,” he begins, “Who’s behind the Ventretti Crime Family? If they’re just a pawn, then someone must be running the show.”
“That’s what I don’t get,” I say.
“Well, we’ll see what happens. In the meantime, it’s best to lay low until something else crops up,” he admits.
Then, he turns my attention to something else.
“How are your wedding plans coming along?” he asks.
“Oh, we haven’t really thought about it,” I lie.
“Well you should, I’m sure Vic has some idea of what she wants? I’d advise you to get married, before something else happens and rips the both of you apart,” my dad says seriously.
“Nothing is going to rip us apart,” I say determinedly.
Vic is the only woman I could ever trust.
I told her a lot of bottled up things about the War last night, and I’ve never told anyone those things.
Not even my family.
“Keep in mind, that when your mother gets involved, nothing is for sure. But I’m glad you’ve found what you need Evan,” he says proudly.
“Yeah?” I ask.
“Evan, all I want is for you to find where you belong,” he says.
“I want to fly again,” I admit.
“You want to go back to the military? Is that even possible?” he asks.
“Easily,” I nod.
“So, you’ve thought about this?” My dad asks.
“A little, though just the thought of flying again makes me happy,” I admit.
“Why not fly for Tinsley? Whittaker Energy needs pilots for their private choppers here; you may as well ask. I think that’s the best solution, for now. The last thing I need is you gone for training, when I need you here,” he says.
That’s all it takes.
If my dad needs me, for the first time in my life, I won’t go anywhere.
“I’ll talk to Tinsley then,” I say.
“I’m sure she’d be happy to have another pilot,” he pauses.
“Or you could start your own private business, for CEO’s, Royalty, and the like. Private rides, tours, etc.,” he suggests.
I know my eyes light up because my dad laughs.
“Talk to my accountants, see what needs to be lined up,” he says.
“Alright,” I say.
I feel lighter like something has been lifted off my shoulders.
Tinsley appears with a coffee for my father.
“How are you boys doing?” she asks.
“Good,” we reply in unison.
Tinsley laughs then heads back to the kitchen.
I follow her because I need breakfast.
“Anything to eat?” I ask.
“Magda made croissants this morning,” Tinsley points to the basket.
I pour myself a cup of coffee and swallow a croissant whole before I grab another.
“How are you feeling?” I ask.
“Very pregnant,” Tinsley laughs.
“Half-way between relaxed, and tense, and ready for this baby to come already,” she adds.
“No, I mean about being loosely related to Duke Whittaker, doesn’t that technically make you royalty?” I ask.
Tinsley purses her lips.
“I don’t know how to feel, it’s been a secret my whole life. Suddenly, I’m thrust into another world. Maybe I just got lucky that I wanted to save the world, with Whittaker’s Green Energy Initiative and all our charity donations. Duke Whittaker seemed pleased enough with me,” Tinsley shrugs.
“He’s not fond of your father, or the fact that we aren’t married yet,” Tinsley says.
I find that odd.
I got the feeling from the Duke that he didn’t want my father anywhere near Tinsley.
Has he changed his mind?
Probably.
I can’t imagine anything else will keep them apart at this point.
“Did you get that feeling too? Something was off with the Duke?” Tinsley asks.
“I know they say pregnant women have strange intuition, but I don’t trust him quite yet,” she admits to me.
“Vic said the same thing,” I say.
Then, I raise an eyebrow at Tinsley.
“Well, Vic isn’t pregnant, so I can’t imagine that we’re both wrong,” she says.
“No, she’s definitely not pregnant,” I tell Tinsley.
Even if she did somehow get pregnant on the pill, she would’ve told me by now.
She would know she can come to me with anything.
“So, I guess we can only trust him as far as he can throw us,” Tinsley says.
“That’s probably true,” I agree.
“On another note, I spoke with Athena, as well. She wants to throw your father and I an engagement party. I told her she may as well throw one for all four of us together, do you think Victoire would be okay with that?” Tinsley asks.
“I’m sure she’d love it,” I lie.
I’m sure Vic would rather not even have an engagement party.
It’s as though we’re on the verge of being back together, but she stops herself at every turn.
“Let her throw the party,” I agree.
Maybe then, Vic will open up to me finally.
“That’s perfect then, we’ll have to go shopping,” Tinsley laughs.
She fits right into the family home with ease, only Tinsley isn’t like most women of high society.
She doesn’t mind if she must cook and does it frequently.
She would probably drive if she wasn’t so pregnant, which makes it nearly impossible for her to drive.
Tinsley is still down to earth.
I can’t bring myself to explain that the Duke wants Tinsley to become his heir.
It’s a long line of tragedy that befalls his family, and as the first cousin to the Queen, it’s hard to believe that Tinsley hasn’t been made aware of this entirely.
Maybe she wasn’t an option until his son died a few years back?
The line of succession with Duke Whittaker has been unclear.
Maybe until now.
“We’ll get invited to a lot of Royal Galas, I suspect,” Tinsley says, almost like she hates the idea.
“Now that I’m here, and I know I’m somewhat of a relation, I think it’s fourth cousins or something, it’s strange to me, foreign territory,” Tinsley admits.
“What if the connection is stronger than you think?” I ask.
Tinsley just laughs.
“I doubt it, we’re just lucky your Uncle Jude stepped in when he did. That was smart,” Tinsley praises me.
Usually, she’s about to scold me for something.
This is entirely different.
“This is probably a bad time, to tell you something you don’t know,” I sigh.
My father hasn’t told her about Elizabeth yet.
He might not.
“What?” Tinsley asks.
Her face drops and I can see the disappointment.
But, before I can say anything, she guesses.
“It’s Elizabeth isn’t it?” she asks.
“Yeah, she was in New York. I saw her,” I admit.
“Goddamnit, what is it now?” Tinsley swears.
“That woman almost ruined your entire family, this could’ve been years of heartache for all of us! What the fuck was she thinking!” she rages on.
“Tinsley, I know, but she doesn’t deserve your anger,” I remind her.
After all these years I’ve never had faith that my mother would change, not ever, and it’s only more accurate even now.
“She’s spent my whole life disappointing me, I see her for who she is, there’s no point in anger because she just doesn’t feel shame,” I explain my theory.
Tinsley takes deep slow breaths to relax.
“You’re probably right, but, Noah and I have waited years we didn’t have to, because of her,” Tinsley rants.
I don’t fault her for her hatred of my mother.
The same all-encompassing rage that I used to feel before I realized it wasn’t worth it.
“It’s already done,” I point out.
“Now we’re all here, you two are going to get married, this is the reality now. We need to focus on that,” this is only a partial lie.
Half my focus is on why Dominic Ventretti was killed by my mother.
And a heart attack?
I find that hard to believe.
My instinct says that was a cover-up, but if that’s true, my mother is more powerful than Ventretti was.
I shake my head and try not to overthink into this.
How does Lucius even know that my mother admitted to it?
29
Victoire
January 9, 2018
Lucius and I have lunch at a little hole-in-the-wall pub, far across town in the bad section.
None of the people in our social circle would be caught dead here; or, rather, that’s the only way they would be found at this place.
We walk in and descend into what feels like a dingy basement.
Heat_A Stone Billionaire Series Novel Page 20
