Page 88 of Finally Forever
“Then I’m doing my job right.” He stands with his legs apart, in a military fashion.
“What’s up?” I ask.
“The car is here to take them to the airport.” He glances around the room. “Should I tell them to wait?”
I stand. “What for?”
“Ainsley?”
“She’s not feeling well,” Kensie interjects. “She said goodbye.”
Kensie has grown awfully protective of Ainsley. I’m glad Ainsley has her, but I can’t help but wonder if something more is going on here. The way Kensie is eager to excuse her seems a bit off.
The slight narrowing of Xavier’s eyes says he sees it, too.
“Thanks for looking out for us while we were here,” Kensie adds to Xavier. To me, she says, “Thanks for inviting us. It was a wonderful time. I’m glad I got to meet you and Ainsley.”
I nod. Yeah, something’s off here. The answer lies with the little blonde who’s hiding upstairs.
“Until the next time,” I say to Nathan and Riley.
Nathan gives me a bro-hug. Riley pats my shoulder and smiles.
I walk them to the car. The driver stacks their luggage into the back of the Cadillac Escalade. They pile into the backseat, but before the door closes, Kensie says, “You should check on Ainsley.”
I nod. “I plan to.”
Her gaze doesn’t leave mine, as if she’s willing me to go check on her right this second. This one is strong willed. No other woman would be enough for Nathan. I wave and walk back into the home. If I didn’t have a million things on my mind, like sneaking away without Xavier knowing and how to deal with Ainsley beforehand, I would go straight to her room. Instead, I go to my old room, get my burner, and confirm that my ride will be at the road near the end of the property.
Once that’s verified, I race to the command center, hoping Xavier doesn’t make it back right away. Now that everyone is gone except for us, his work has lightened considerably.
I turn off the camera that monitors the edge of the property where I’ll be in a few hours. That device wasn’t working when we first arrived, so I doubt he’ll think I tampered with it. I go to my room again, pack my duffle bag with necessary stuff.
Everything is in order. All I have to do is wait and decide how to deal with Ainsley. Part of me wants to ignore it and ask for forgiveness if I am able to return to her. However, the thought of abandoning her without a goodbye feels like a hot poker to my chest.
How did I grow so attached in such a short time? It shouldn’t have happened. I don’t remember anything significant. She should have been casual sex, a sweet distraction. Temporary.
I rub the spot over my heart where a burning ache forms. What to do?
The time on my phone says an hour has passed since Nathan and Riley left. Ainsley hasn’t emerged from the room, which means she’s still sleeping. Kensie said she needed a nap.
Isshe suffering from stomach cramps? She gets them now and then but nothing that sends her to bed.
I stiffen. How do I know that?Fuck. I can’t get my memories back now. Not when I’m so close to wiping my maniacal father from the earth.
My feet move to the primary bedroom without my command. I knock softly on the closed door.
Nothing.
I knock again, a little louder, and try the knob. The blanket lies rumpled at the foot of the bed, but Ainsley isn’t there.
I tread toward the closed bathroom door and knock. “Ainsley?”
Silence.
“Are you feeling better?”I’m sorry I’m hurting you.I am, which says a lot.
She’s angry and ignoring me. I can’t blame her. I didn’t mean to make her sick, though.
