Twins for the Mafia Heir (The Warwicks #3)

33. Emma

Chapter 33

Emma

T his is only the second time in my life I’ve been on a plane, and it’s disorienting how different it is from the first time. A luxurious private jet, fear and uncertainty for the near future, and a gorgeous man dressed like a model with a tongue like a lash.

And now I’m choking back tears of loss in the middle aisle of an enormous crowded commercial flight.

I should’ve known things would end this way. I should’ve kept my emotions in check. I should’ve remembered that my marriage with Achilles was a total sham, that I was actually a hostage and a spy, that I would always have to run when things got bad-

But for a glorious moment, I truly thought… I thought I could fight for what I wanted head on. I thought I could keep it all if I just wanted it badly enough.

When the hell has that ever worked for you, Emma ?

I stifle another sob, too aware of the people on my right and left and in front of me and behind me- The plane’s lights are dim for the night flight. Logically, I know many of the other passengers are sleeping, but it doesn’t matter. There are too many strangers in here, and I feel like an exposed nerve.

My heart is shattering to pieces in my hands, and logic be damned, but I’m sure they can all see it happening.

To no one’s surprise, it takes me half the flight just to get my eyes closed, but my mind is swirling with so much turmoil I don’t actually sleep. By the end of the flight, I have a speech ready for Thomas, but I don’t know how coherent it is. My timezones are completely out of order and my eyes are crusted almost shut from crying and lack of sleep.

When the plane lands, I let the unloading crowd carry me off into an airport hazy with new morning light because I can hardly feel my own body.

I might be back in the right country and city, but getting back to the Warwick estate is easier said than done. I didn’t have a single bill on me when Achilles put me on the plane, British or otherwise, so I have no fare for a cab. I didn’t have a cellphone either, so calling Paul or Raleigh for a ride is out of the question. I linger in the crowded areas of the airport, wondering if I should pick the pockets of the travelers around me to get enough money for a cab. Then I remember that I may only have the clothes on my back, but the clothes on my back are expensive . As is the jewelry I never had the chance to take off when Ashwood House was raided. In the end, I walk to the pickup area outside the airport and flag down a cab anyway.

Luckily, my eyes are already puffy and red from tears, and it’s easier than I’d like to admit to summon up fresh ones. I flag down a cab and add a quiver to my lip when I climb in the back seat.

“Oh sir!” I exclaim miserably, “some- some monster stole my wallet after I got off the plane. I-I don’t have any money but-”

“No money, no ride, lady,” the driver says without emotion. “Sorry, nothing personal.”

I let the tears start falling over my flushed cheeks. My voice rises to a wail. I’m prepared to make a scene if I have to, but I’m hoping he’ll take my offer before that happens. “B-B-But sir, please!! I just need to get home, and I can pay you as soon as I’m there.”

“You really think I’ll believe-”

“Fine- fine!! If you can’t wait, I have this!”

I unclasp a golden bangle studded with tiny garnets from around my wrist and hold it out. I can tell the man is about to refuse on principle, but then his eyes catch on the flash of the gems and the shine of the gold. He’s thinking about how authentic it looks, and that even if it’s a pain to pawn himself, he’ll get much more than the value of the ride for it.

Also, it’ll shut up this wild sobbing woman in his backseat before she starts drawing a crowd.

“I- I guess I can accept,” he says. “Just this once, all right? I’m really not supposed to be doing this.”

Before he’s even finished speaking, he’s taken the bracelet out of my hands. I’ll need to be sure to jump out of the car quickly when I get to the Warwick estate, just in case he starts eyeing the wedding ring on my finger.

That is not available for bartering.

As we pull away from the airport, it takes me more time than I want to admit to dry my manufactured tears. Remembering my wedding ring has reignited the stabbing pains in my chest, and I can’t stop fidgeting with it. I’ve had this on my finger for less than twenty-four hours, but the idea of losing it now is… unbearable.

If it’s the only thing I’ll ever have to remember Achilles and Sidony by, then I’ll wear it for the rest of my life, sham marriage or no.

The drive to Warwick estate takes hours in my mind, but the sun hasn’t even fully risen by the time we reach its gates. I rush out of the car before it’s even fully stopped, and the driver is too ashamed of his own bribe-taking to stop me. My finger holds down the buzzer on the gate long enough to be irritating, but I don’t stop until a guy leans out of the guard tower above me.

“What the fuck, lady, it’s way too early for solicitors-”

I look up at him, ready to plead to be let in, but the man startles at the sight of me.

“Holy shit, is that- Emma Clarke?!”

How the hell does he recognize me?! For a moment, I can only gape up at him, unsure how to respond. Am I wanted by the Warwicks now? Was my attempt to sacrifice myself for the family’s sake misconstrued as a betrayal somehow?

The man pulls a walkie talkie up to his mouth and ducks back into the guard tower. He’s gone for mere seconds, but then the front gate starts swinging open for me. I don’t second guess it- I stumble in. The door to the main house is already opening at the end of the gravel path, and I’m stunned to see Iris and Paul hurrying out to meet me.

Paul, alive and well. His arm isn’t even in a sling. And Iris, looking furious, alarmed, relieved-

My knees wobble, and I almost collapse on the gravel. In the doorway of the house behind them, looking like the most tired model you’ve ever seen, is Raleigh Lindman-Warwick. She’s clearly just rolled out of bed, dressed in rumpled cozy pajamas. And swaddled in her arms is a squalling baby.

They’re all right. Both of them are okay!

Before I can brace myself, Paul sweeps me off my feet in a hug and spins me all the way around.

“You’re fucking insane, kid!!” he praises, setting me down on my shaky legs. He pulls back to look me over, then immediately pulls me back into a hug.

“Emma, how did you get back here?” Iris asks. Clearly she’s trying to focus on business and pertinent information, but Paul’s priority is squeezing all the breath out of my lungs. “Did Achilles let you go? Is he still alive? Are you-”

“Emma?! Oh my god, EMMA !”

Raleigh’s voice carries down the gravel path as she hurries toward me, her baby still in her arms and flip flops holding onto her socked feet. I can barely see her through the blur of fresh tears in my eyes.

When did I start crying again?!

Raleigh only has one arm she can use to hug me, but it’s the best hug yet. I’ve never considered myself a hugger, but maybe that’s just because I’ve never gotten enough of them, because I’m clinging to her like she’s my lifeline. Her baby, rosy cheeked in the cool morning air, is gently pressed between our collarbones. They’re whimpering softly now, and they smell clean as summer air.

“I’ve got you,” Raleigh coos, and I can’t tell if she’s talking to me or the baby. “I’m right here, I’ve got you.”

“You’re okay!” I sob. “You’re here and you’re okay!”

“I’m okay,” Raleigh agrees with a laugh. “And you’re okay.”

“Your baby’s so beautiful!”

“Thank you.” Raleigh pulls back just a little, beaming. “Emma, meet Roman Lindman!”

“C-Can I hold him?”

“Of course!” She transfers him carefully into my arms, and I’m shocked by how light and small he is, but how… real . His eyes are squeezed firmly shut- he clearly doesn’t appreciate my hysteria. I feel like I’m holding an entire universe against my body. Raleigh wipes a bit of his feather-fine hair off his forehead, her hazel eyes bright with love.

I finally let myself think about Sidony, and how much she weighs in my arms, and how warm she is… And how I’ll never be able to hold her again.

I turn my face away so my tears won’t fall on Roman, and I feel Paul’s warm hand on my back. Everything I’ve lost comes crashing down on my head, and the people huddled around me are the only thing keeping me on my feet.