Page 25 of Cutting Ties
Valentina
I was becoming increasingly excited as I watched the little plane on the seat-back TV ahead of me as it inched closer toward Los Angeles. We were nearly there, about ready to make the descent into the LAX.
“You okay?” Anthony asked, giving my hand on the armrest a squeeze and gaining my attention.
Pulling my eyes from the screen, I smiled. “I’m doing great. This is so exciting. I don’t even have words to describe how I’m feeling right now.” And I didn’t. There was a mix of happiness, sadness, anticipation. This was the beginning of a new life with the man I loved. It felt so overwhelming.
“Good feelings though, right?” Genuine concerned filled his eyes.
“Of course.” I shrugged. “I will miss my home. I won’t lie and say I won’t. But this is a whole new start for me in life. It’s a lot to process.”
“Colombia is just a few hours’ flight away.”
“I know. It’s not like we can’t afford to fly back and forth. Once the conflict at home ends we’ll be able to use Papa’s jet so yes, it’ll be fast and easy.” She gave me a sheepish grin. “Would you hold it against me if I told you this is the first time I’ve been on a regular passenger plane? It’s kinda cool. I can feel the excitement of the people around us.”
Anthony chuckled and then leaned into me and whispered, “The life problems of a cartel princess.”
Wagging a finger at him, I laughed. “If anyone else were to say that to me I’d kick their ass. But for you I’ll let that pass.”
Leaning in another inch, Anthony placed a tender kiss on my lips. “You know I’m teasing.” He turned and looked down the aisle of the plane toward the economy section. “I wonder how your fan group is doing back there?”
“I think they’d prefer that we’d taken the jet as well, but this is safer in case the Santiago cartel had people watching our plane. You never know. Asher is a dick, but when it comes to security, he knows his stuff. I will give him that much.”
“Wow! Giving your brother a compliment. I never thought I’d see the day.”
“It’s not a compliment, just a statement of fact. Just like he’ll find out who shot Emiliano and he’ll deal with him.”
“You mean…” Anthony’s voice trailed off.
“Yeah.” I sighed and gave him a smile. “But that’s not going to be part of our life. None of that will.”
Lifting my hand he placed a kiss on the back of it and smiled, affection shining in his eyes reflecting what I was feeling in my heart. “So where do we go from here, future Mrs. Williams?”
“Marriage. Babies. Maybe I’ll become a writer. I studied literature in college, you know?”
“I did know that,” he confirmed. “So what would you write?”
I shrugged. “Not sure, as long as it has a happily ever after.”
The End