Signing Rhys's message with his nickname for me feels like the end. I refuse to believe that it's the end for us. It can't be. But the mere thought of him not forgiving me... My fingers are shaking so badly I drop the phone. George is at my side in two strides and clasps my hands between his.
"Please, look at me."
I can’t.
"Miss Lilly. Look at me!" My body automatically obeys at his order.
He levels me with a look that is equally stern as it is...empathetic? My eyebrows draw together, and I study him. Emotions I have never seen flicker across his face. It's like he's lost in his own memory for a second.
"I’m not going to lie to you. I don’t agree with your decision." I open my mouth, but he cuts me off. "However, I understand it." He does? "I had to make a similar decision once...leave someone behind that I cared about. The difference between you and me is, though, I believe you and Rhys will have a happy ending. He will be angry with you, but he loves you. You will find a way to work it out."
I'm not sure what to say. He left someone? Is that why he is so distant? Instead of responding, I wrap my arms around him and hold on tight. After a moment, he places his hands on either side of my head and pulls back gently. He forces me to make eye contact, and then...he smiles at me—a genuine, heartwarming smile.
"It will be okay."
And I believe him. Next are Den’s and Wes's messages, saving the one for Heather and Tristen for last. Those ones are easier. Maybe because I'm all cried out. Maybe because I do trust George's words.
I decide to give my friends a watered-down version of Rhys's, that with Turner showing up at Natty's school and her being targeted by Katherine's sister, I can't risk anyone coming after them as well. When I get to Heather and Tristen's, I stare at the screen for a long time. I have no clue how much to reveal to them, so I settle on the half-truth. Turner is not who he pretends to be, and I'm scared for their safety if I stay. I start typing that I am with family but then erase the words and end the message with Please know that I’m safe and that I will call as soon as I can. Love, Lilly.
After reading over everything one more time, I send each message to Nate. My brother responds within minutes that he will make sure my family and friends will receive my notes. Glancing at the little clock in the corner, I'm surprised to see that it's not even six. We've only been here for about an hour and a half—over two more to go. I lie down on my side, clutching the burner in both hands. "Unstoppable" by Red starts playing, and I want to laugh at the irony. I don’t turn it off, though. Instead, I scroll through the pictures that somehow made it onto the device. It's the same folder that I found on my phone at the vineyard, and I suspect Nate transferred them on somehow before George gave it to Rhys.
"Miss Lilly."Someone gently touches my arm. My eyes spring open, and I jackknife up.
Shit, my back does not take the abrupt motion lightly.
"Oww," I moan and try to focus my eyes. "Did I fall asleep?"
George stands above me, and the answer is kind of obvious, but he indulges me. "You did. The jet just landed and will be here in a few minutes. It's time to go."
My pulse picks up. It's time to go. Last chance to back out. But even as the thought crosses my mind, I know returning to Westbridge is not an option until Turner is out of the picture.
At that moment, the noise level rises to the point of having to cover my ears, the metal structure amplifying the sound of the jet's engines as it rolls in.
I step beside George right outside the office, and we wait for the aircraft to come to a halt. Men who I hadn’t noticed before and, I assume, belong to the small airstrip jog over and start working on the plane. They put the chocks in, and one heads to a fuel truck parked right outside the hangar doors.
My heart is beating in my throat as I watch the door lower. A flight attendant—no, one of the pilots appears in the opening and descends the steps. He gives George a curt nod and makes his way to the airport employee.
"That is Joel. He is Nate's personal..." He trails off, and I follow his gaze to see what has him distracted.
My hands fly to my mouth, and my feet take off of their own volition until I am full-on sprinting. I reach him at the same time he steps onto the concrete floor and jump, wrapping my legs and arms around him like a monkey.
Sobs wrack through my body as his hands try to hold onto me without touching my injuries.
"Hey, sis. Shhh, it's all good," my brother coos, and it instantly calms the turmoil inside of me.
I pull back, and he lets me sink to my feet.
"What are you doing here?" My fingers keep clutching Nate's sleeves, afraid he’ll vanish into thin air if I let go.
"I would like to know the same thing. What were you thinking?" George’s voice comes from behind me.
"I was thinking that my sister needs me," Nate snaps in a tone I have never heard him use toward George.
I nervously glance around, expecting the workers and pilot to watch the exchange, but no one pays us any attention.
George steps closer to my brother. His next words are a low growl that would make most grown men pee their pants. "Get. On. That. Fucking. Jet. Nathan Edward Denton Hamlin. Or I will put you on it." He jabs his index finger at Nate's chest.
Oh crap, George using the F-bomb is not a good sign.