Page 70 of Anyone But You

“Hmph. I don’t believe it. His father is the CEO of an aerospace company and couldn’t locate us with satellites?”

“That part,” Victoria mentioned. “Also, how weren’t we located sooner? Doesn’t the plane have a black box and tracking device?”

Doug cleared his throat again and fiddled with his tie.

“No,” I whispered.

“The aircraft was equipped with both; however, neither of them were functional. The FAA has officially grounded the aviation company, and I doubt they will clear another flight.”

“So why is Knox being sued again?” Victoria demanded.

“Knox is being named as a co-defendant in the lawsuit due to alleged duress that influenced the employees and the company. The lawsuit states that Knox has a history of chartering last-minute flights and has a reputation for being demanding, controlling, and creating high-stress environments.”

“This is bullshit,” I muttered.

“They didn’t lie about that last part. You are demanding and controlling, and that is why I had a cry room at the office,” Victoria said matter-of-factly.

“You knew this was coming,” Reynolds stated, flipping open a leather-bound portfolio and handing it to me. I scanned the documents.

“You want me to settle for $1 million per life lost?”

“Five million is a drop in the bucket for you, Knox,” Doug said, trying to reason with me.

“This is bullshit,” I argued, snapping the folder shut.

“Settling will be freeing,” Polly Pocket remarked. “It’ll all go away, and you’ll never have to look over your shoulder again, wondering if you’ll be called to take the stand. You settle with the families now, they sign their NDAs, and you focus on healing. The settlement will never make it to the media.”

I turned to Victoria and asked, “What do you think?”

She heaved a deep sigh and squeezed my hand before shooting me a look that had me folding like origami.

“I think these families woke up in the middle of the night with calls that their loved ones never made it to their final destination. They agonized for months, wondering if their loved ones were dead or alive, and now they have their answer. They’re hurting, and we’re thriving. If I could, I’d pay it and move on, but the decision is up to you.”

I lifted her hand to my lips and kissed it.

“Pay the money, Reynolds,” I said, not taking my eyes off the woman I fell in love with long before we crash landed in the middle of paradise.

“I’ll get on that right away.”

“Tell the driver to make a detour.”

“Excuse me?” Doug and Amelia said simultaneously.

“I want to ensure that my wife is comfortable before I’m admitted to the hospital. Doug, book a suite—something with a panoramic view and an exquisite room service menu.”

“No, Gio. I’m going with you,” Victoria protested defiantly.

“Not this time, Tori. I want you to rest and relax before I return and be the biggest pain in the ass you’ve ever seen.”

“How thoughtful,” she replied, smirking as if she had won something.

“I’ve found a suite at The Marlowe Regent,” Doug mentioned.

“Sounds expensive. Book it.”

22

Reunited and it Feels so Good