Fighting With Light (The Coldwell Brothers #2)

12. Aelia

12

Aelia

A sigh passes my lips as I finally step back onto a plane to get away from Boston. It took all my energy to keep a smile on my face and make sure my mom was okay during the party. I dropped subtle hints I was seeing someone and I really liked them. I could see the anger on my father’s face, and it was all I could do not to laugh, but he kept his mouth shut. My brothers told me last time I left, Mom didn’t leave her room for three days. My heart broke hearing that. It broke over and over again.

The only good thing about this trip was that she talked to me for the first time in months, even if it was about nothing important. She asked me how Bali was and I let it slip that I met someone. I didn’t tell her it was Liam, but the smile on her face and the way her eyes brightened made all of it worth it.

Unknown: On the plane?

I glance at my phone as the flight attendant puts my carry-on above my head. I stare at the unknown number, it could be one of my brothers messing with me. Or it could be… Liam.

Unknown: You can talk to me, no one can trace it back. I made sure of it.

Aelia: How do I know you’re not a stalker?

Unknown: Oh, I absolutely am.

Unknown: You clearly had a great time at your parents wedding anniversary party. I could see it based on the bright, nonexistent smile on your face. You looked a little constipated though, everything okay?

Aelia: Rude

I smile at my phone and sit down. In my large first-class seat.

Unknown: You looked beautiful.

My heart stutters in my chest and my lungs forget to work for a moment. “Mimosa, ma’am?” the flight attendant offers. I thank her and take the champagne flute from her.

Aelia: Thank you

Unknown: You didn’t answer my question. Are you coming back to me?

The butterflies in my stomach that have been dormant since I left Bali are in full swarm again.

Aelia: Yes, and I’m sure you already knew that. But there is a minor issue.

Unknown: Your friend who’s traveling with you?

Aelia: How did you …

I look around, wondering how in the world he knew Ben was with me. We arrived here at the same time and came in at different entrances. He’s a made man and sometimes gets flagged for things. The last thing I need is to be pulled in with him, so he’s only a few minutes behind, but he’s not here like he should be. My phone lights up silently with another text.

Unknown: I know you guys come in at separate times, so I may have flagged him for suspicious material. He’s currently in a holding cell with the TSA, so you’ll be in the clear when you take off.

Aelia: Dad is going to be pissed.

Unknown: They won’t find anything princess

Aelia: I know that, but Dad is going to see him come back and wonder where I am and then send him to come and get me…

Unknown: Not if he doesn’t know where you are…

Aelia: This is going to make it worse.

Unknown: You’re not going back until this is done right?

Aelia: Right

I look out at the tarmac. I made sure to hug Mom a little longer this time, just in case I didn’t make it back. When I don’t come home for the next three months, the alarm bells will ring. But they will ring sooner if Ben comes home without me.

Unknown: They will let him go, just tell him to meet you later, give yourself a head start.

Aelia: Fine

I send Ben a quick text asking where he is and then I tell him to catch up to me because I don’t want to get off the flight. That should be believable for him, and I know he would rather do that than leave the airport and risk my father knowing he didn’t come with me.

Aelia: You could have told me what your plan was you know

Unknown: Where’s the fun in that?

Aelia: You’re annoying

Unknown: I think you like it seeing as you made love to my mouth with your tongue before you left

Aelia: Who said anything about love?

That word is a no-no in my world. That word gets you killed because it leaves you vulnerable. It leaves you with room for someone to destroy you without even touching you. I know what it did to my mother. That word is like a landmine.

Unknown: You’re the one that did it you tell me

Aelia: I thought this was a mutually beneficial relationship

Unknown: Oh? This is a relationship now?

Aelia: I should shoot you for that

Unknown: I love it when you talk dirty to me

Aelia: Oh you’re one of those

Unknown: I’m whatever you want me to be princess

Heat floods my sternum and spreads over me like syrup. This man knows exactly what he’s doing.

Aelia: Good to know because I like to be the one in control

Unknown: Oh, I’m aware, but the joke is on you because I know you’ll enjoy giving me control even more

Aelia: You don’t know me

Unknown: I’m excellent at research. I know plenty.

The pilot’s voice comes over the speakers of the plane, announcing that we will be taking off soon, and then the flight attendants start their safety speech, but I keep looking at my phone. It’s a weird feeling knowing someone knows you more than you know them simply because they dug it up. Of course, on my way home from Bali, I did all the research I possibly could on Liam. He’s a spectacular surfer, according to his stats and articles about him. I saw a few about his rock climbing prowess and his next goal is to free climb the Dawn Wall, which is heart-palpitating, especially after I looked up what free climbing was. I also got a look at his brothers, and his brother’s new wife and baby. That family has the blessing of good genetics because every single one of them is gorgeous.

Aelia: I did my own research, too

Unknown: Ha. I can’t wait to hear this

Aelia: Your brothers are hot

Unknown: I thought you only had eyes for me, princess

Aelia: Well, I don’t go after happily married men, even I have lines. But your older brother looks like fun.

Unknown: If you really did your research, you would know how utterly hilarious that statement was. What did you find out about me?

Aelia: How do you know I even looked you up

Unknown: I have my ways

I frown at my phone, wondering how he would…wait.

Aelia: You hacked my phone?

Unknown: I know you looked up my record, impressive, I know. And then all my rock climbing stats, those are my favorite. But what gets me is how you looked up a picture of my brother and his family. I found that quite interesting.

Aelia: You’re insane

Unknown: You’re beautiful

Aelia: That wasn’t an insult

Unknown: I thought we were giving each other compliments

Aelia: Fine, you’re unhinged

Unknown: Yes, and you get me all hot and bothered when you call me names

I chuckle at the phone.

Aelia: I wanted to know more about you

Unknown: All you have to do is ask

Aelia: Yeah because you’re going to tell me everything

Unknown: Just because I said you can ask doesn’t mean I’ll give you all the answers. But I learned that you are twenty-nine years old and you’ve never had a long-term relationship. I think the why is relatively obvious. You have a heart of gold. You give to others when no one is looking, but I was. You sacrifice for your mom and brothers even if you can’t stand to be around your father.

You have no friends except for Violet Ferreira because you don’t want to get too close to people. Your eyes explode when I put my hand around your neck. You gasp when I push you up against the wall and you like it. And for some reason, you want to trust me, but you won’t let yourself do it, so you’re using your body to get closer to me, but you’re mad because I won’t give you what you want, and you always get what you want.

But you’re learning you won’t with me…

Yet you’re still coming back to me.

I stare at his words, reading them repeatedly. There is a part of me that should be disturbed. I should get off this plane and toss my phone, but he would find me. There is no doubt in my mind he would find me.

Aelia: The plane is about to take off.

Unknown: I’ll be waiting

I take a long, deep breath, relax back into the comfortable seat, and take my mimosa, tossing the entire thing back.

I think I just stepped on a landmine.