Chapter 34 MAYBE FANTASY
For the next few minutes, I couldn't move. My body was still, but my mind kept replaying his words over and over.
If I accepted his offer, I might finally be able to find Ravyn Vale. I wouldn't just be saving my parents' ranch-I'd be saving it in a way that meant we'd never have to worry about losing it again.
But Ravyn Vale's mission was supposed to remain a secret... and I had already ruined that the moment I went to Brentmere, foolishly thinking I could handle things on my own. One thing was certain-Mr. Lennox could help me in more ways than I wanted to admit.
So why not use him? Why not take what I needed from him and then get rid of him once it was over?
Before I even realized what I was doing, my feet were already moving, carrying me outside after him.
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Jaxon's POV
"You've been quiet since you came back... and why aren't we moving?" Troy asked, his tone laced with impatience. He'd already shot me that questioning look a hundred times since I got into the car.
"Because," I replied evenly, keeping my composure, "we're waiting for Miss Carter to make up her mind."
"Make up her mind about what? Did she admit to dropping the picture? Was she at the party because of Ravyn Vale?" Troy pressed, his curiosity sharp.
Before I could answer, movement caught my eye. Miss Carter was heading toward us.
A slow, satisfying smile tugged at my lips when she gave a small knock on the window. I rolled it down, and she gestured for me to step out.
I followed her a short distance from the car, curious about the fire in her eyes.
"Fine," she said at last, her voice tight with irritation, "I'll consider your offer. But first-you need to understand something. No one can know about this. This stays between us, no matter what. We help each other in secret, and that's the only way this works."
Her tone was clipped, but beneath it I could hear the weight of her resolve-and the tension of someone who hated needing me but had no choice.Chapter 34
For the next few minutes, I couldn't move. My body was still, but my mind kept replaying his words over and over.
If I accepted his offer, I might finally be able to find Ravyn Vale. I wouldn't just be saving my parents' ranch-I'd be saving it in a way that meant we'd never have to worry about losing it again.
But Ravyn Vale's mission was supposed to remain a secret... and I had already ruined that the moment I went to Brentmere, foolishly thinking I could handle things on my own. One thing was certain-Mr. Lennox could help me in more ways than I wanted to admit.
So why not use him? Why not take what I needed from him and then get rid of him once it was over?
Before I even realized what I was doing, my feet were already moving, carrying me outside after him.
\---
Jaxon's POV
"You've been quiet since you came back... and why aren't we moving?" Troy asked, his tone laced with impatience. He'd already shot me that questioning look a hundred times since I got into the car.
"Because," I replied evenly, keeping my composure, "we're waiting for Miss Carter to make up her mind."
"Make up her mind about what? Did she admit to dropping the picture? Was she at the party because of Ravyn Vale?" Troy pressed, his curiosity sharp.
Before I could answer, movement caught my eye. Miss Carter was heading toward us.
A slow, satisfying smile tugged at my lips when she gave a small knock on the window. I rolled it down, and she gestured for me to step out.
I followed her a short distance from the car, curious about the fire in her eyes.
"Fine," she said at last, her voice tight with irritation, "I'll consider your offer. But first-you need to understand something. No one can know about this. This stays between us, no matter what. We help each other in secret, and that's the only way this works."
Her tone was clipped, but beneath it I could hear the weight of her resolve-and the tension of someone who hated needing me but had no choice.
"Aye aye, partner," I replied before she stormed off, leaving me with one thought looping in my mind-how on earth did I miss Ravyn Vale slipping back into England?
As the question gnawed at me, the answer became clear. I already had my suspect-someone capable of arranging illegal border crossings, even for a man like Ravyn Vale, whose criminal record alone made him the prime suspect in Emily's death.
I went back to the car, and we pulled away.
"When are you planning on actually saying something to me?" Troy asked, his tone dripping with impatience.
"Ravyn Vale might be back in the country," I said casually, though my thoughts were running wild.
"What? That's impossible-we couldn't have missed him. We had the right people in place, the right ears everywhere... unless we're missing something big." Troy's words hung in the air, but I had nothing to give him in return.
The rest of the ride was silent until we reached the hotel.
I needed a cold bath-something to strip away the heat of the anger simmering under my skin. But when Troy dropped into a seat instead of heading to his room, I knew he had something to say. I walked over and sat opposite him, waiting.
"Your dad called," he said finally, his gaze locking with mine before darting away. "He wants to see you the moment we land."
"And he didn't give you a reason?" I asked.
Troy shook his head. "But... I think it has something to do with the headlines today." He reached into his suitcase and handed me his iPad.
"MR LENNOX DECIDES TO HAND OVER HIS HEAD HOTEL TO HIS WIFE AFTER HER RETURN FROM THE COUNTRYSIDE."
The words slammed into me, stirring an emotion I couldn't name-shock, anger, maybe both. My grip on the device tightened.
"It's been reported that Mr. Lennox has decided to hand over his flagship hotel to his wife, who left home years ago for the love of her son, Jaxon-"
"Goddammit." The curse slipped through my teeth. I couldn't bring myself to read further. Every word only fed the fire in my chest.
"Have our flights been booked?" I asked sharply.
Troy shook his head. I stood, but a sudden wave of dizziness hit me. One moment I was upright, the next I was back on the couch with Troy's worried face hovering above me.
"Jaxon, are you okay?" His voice sounded distant, muffled.
"Book us a flight back to Brookleigh in the next hour," I said, forcing myself to my feet. I needed my medication-fast.
"Jaxon, really? You need to see a doctor," Troy pressed, frustration bleeding into his voice.
"Then book the flight, Troy. The sooner we get to Brookleigh, the sooner I can see Doctor Jane," I shot back before heading for the bathroom. That cold bath wasn't just a want anymore-it was a necessity.
Mr. Lennox's POV
Anger surged through me as I stared at the woman who had ruined my life, living so simply, as if nothing had ever happened. I was certain Jaxon must have seen the news by now, and he'd probably be both furious and disappointed in me.
"Quit glaring at me-it's not going to change a thing. Do you think having the press talk about it will make it any different? This was our deal: I leave your son alone while you make me the CEO of Lennox Luxe Collection.
Do you think putting up with all this nonsense for years was some kind of performance? You'd better get out there and answer the reporters, or you know exactly what will make the headlines tomorrow," she said.
This-this nightmare-had been my reality for the past twenty years. And it was all because of her. My chest burned with the hate piling up inside me. I regretted the day I walked into that bar and met her, thinking I had found the most beautiful and kind woman I had ever known. But it was all a trap, and I had been the perfect prey.
"Address the press, huh?" I said, keeping my voice calm, refusing to reveal my next move. It had taken me years to start crafting an escape plan-one that wouldn't put Jaxon in danger.
I was already drowning in guilt, guilt I faced every single day just by watching the changes in him. The sweet, vibrant boy I once knew had grown cold-cold like the world had been to him-and it was my fault. I would carry that blame for the rest of my life.
"Peter!" I called out, and he entered almost immediately.
"Let's get ready for the press, shall we?" I said. He nodded at once as I reached for my suit jacket.
"I trust you can find your way out of the building," I told her, meeting her curious gaze. I could see the confusion she tried to hide.
"Congratulations-you are now one of the new CEOs of Lennox Luxe Collection."
Those were my final words before I left the room, Peter following closely behind. I had been waiting for her return-and I came prepared. But first, I needed to speak to Jaxon, though I knew I couldn't tell him everything.
For now, I still had to play the dumb role I'd been perfecting for the last twenty years-smiling through my lies while silently watching my son suffer, trying to piece together truths he couldn't fully grasp.
I was done being a coward. But first, I had to get Jaxon away from this hell-to somewhere safe.
Somewhere untouched by the kind of darkness we lived in... though right now, that sounded like nothing more than a fantasy.