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I didn’t answer, but he kept talking.
“We’ll chat and talk about movies, overeat, and become good friends. I even have a few funny stories about Rocco as a teenager running around Italy with Paul.D’accord?”
I knew Laurence was being kind but all I could hear were Judge Colby’s words.
“Then I’ll pen a tell-all, and it won’t just be about all the money Luca gave me over the years; I’ll talk about how the drugs and gambling hurt me so much…and you had emotional problems that turned you violent. Plus, how they covered up your crime and sealed your juvenile record.”
“Ah…uhm thanks,” I muttered.Could Judge Colby extort that money from Rocco?
“So, have you seen any films or television shows worth watching?” Laurence asked me.
He chatted away and had something to say about every movie or film I’d seen streaming recently. But at the back of my mind, there was the vitriol Judge Colby spewed and the anger I felt from him coming after me.
Zane had switched to talking on his phone. My ear pricked, hoping he’d share why the trip was so urgent, but he was so calm and only mentioned that we were on our way and would arrive in twenty-five minutes.
We reached the airport in twenty.
I took out my phone and tried Rocco again. It rang this time, but the messages said his phone was full.Hmm. Rocco never had a full voicemail. Maybe there’s a scandal breaking?
I glanced at Laurence and Zane; they were completely calm. Then again, we traveled all the time. It was my new normal. Seeing Rocco was all that mattered to me. I needed him.
We pulled up, and there were many police, TV cameras, and paparazzi.
Zane got out of the car, and Laurence leaned over the seat. “Please wait until we have the all-clear.”
The police forced the people back from the plane and allowed us to move close to the stairs. Laurence got out quickly and opened my door. Then he motioned for us to get on the plane fast.
“Adelina, are you flying to Rocco?”
“Adelina, what have you heard about the group?”
I tried to stop to listen, but Zane followed right behind me, and I was inside the plane.
“Why are they asking about Rocco? Did something happen?”
The pilot came over the loudspeaker. “Please take your seats for takeoff.”
Paul Crane appeared and walked down the aisle from the back. He gestured for me to sit in one of the two open leather seats.
I reluctantly sat down, belted in, and Paul did the same. He looked pale and wasn’t smiling like he usually did.
“I thought you were with Rocco?”
“I went for the first few days but had a concert back here. Rocco stayed with George, and a few others joined him.”
I cleared my throat. “Why am I flying with you to Italy? Is Rocco okay?”
“I’m sure he’s fine, but I’m also sure Rocco wants you with him.” His answer was vague and downright careful. I wanted to know more, but the lights went out, and we taxied down the runway to take flight.
When the plane evened, and the seatbelt light went out, Paul stood and focused on someone coming down the aisle. To my surprise, it was…Olivia?
Her face was puffy with tears, and my heart contracted, fearing something else had happened. Whatever it was, I wasn’t prepared to hear it and didn’t know if I could bear it.
I lowered my hand, and Paul patted it. “I’m going to give Olivia my seat.”
Paul left for the back of the plane, and Olivia sat down. I hugged her, and she sobbed on my shoulder.
“Did something else happen?” I asked when I let her go.