Page 63 of Paradise & Vodka

The successful mission party continued in the air, and after I ate, I went into the bathroom to freshen up. There was no shower, but a paper towel with soap and water was better than nothing. There were also a few new toothbrushes and toothpaste I was able to use. When I got out, Everleigh grabbed my arm to stop me as I tried to go back to my seat next to Nick.

"Sit with me for a few? I need to tell you something."

Nick was drinking and laughing with his friends, so I took Everleigh up on her offer because I wanted answers. "Yeah?"

"I thought you weren't mad at me anymore?"

I rolled my eyes. "I wasn't until Nick told me your wedding was a sham—"

"I did it for Dad."

"I know that now, but I was also kidnapped and held hostage because of you."

"I had nothing to do with that."

I sighed. "Maybe it wasn't you who arranged it, but they wanted you. Everyone always wantsyou." I hadn't actually thought that in several years until the words left my mouth, but it was true. Everyone always wanted my beauty queen sister, and it had almost cost me my life.

"Yeah, well, not Doug. He wanted theimageof me."

"Because he cheated on you and made you marry him for money?"

"And he left me to die in a tsunami," she whispered and looked out the tiny window.

I blinked, not sure I'd heard her correctly. "What?"

"We obviously spent our wedding night in separate rooms—we’ve had separate rooms the entire time. When I got the alert, I called him. He said he was already on his way to the airport with his parents."

"He was already headed to the airport?"

"That's what he said."

"That doesn't make sense. How was he already on his way to the airport when we all got the tsunami warning? He needed you for the ruse."

"Maybe he lied." She shrugged.

"I wouldn't be surprised."

"And that makes me feel more like shit. My husband left me to die. The marriage was done, and he didn't need me anymore."

"Well, you didn't die, and when he realizes that, we'll make him pay."

"How?"

I took a deep breath. "I don't know yet."

The flight attendant came over to us with fresh drinks. I stole a quick glance at my parents, who were either sleeping or trying to sleep even with the guys celebrating. If I hadn’t wanted more answers, I would have tried to sleep too.

"I’m pissed you didn't tell me Dad is dying."

"I wanted to, but since we haven't spoken sincethatnight, I knew Mom needed to be the one to tell you."

"Tell me what you know." I took a big gulp of my vodka cranberry.

"I don't know much because they didn't want me to worry, just like they didn't want you to worry, but I know that it was caught early, and he is going through some sort of treatment."

"But he's dying."

She looked at our parents, and then back at me. "Yeah, but they're hopeful it won't spread or whatever. Since we found out, and I made the agreement with Doug, Dad came to New York to see a specialist."