Fidelity (Infidelity #5)(10)

“All the paperwork has been cleared,” Deloris said.

I took a deep breath and nodded.

The identifications she’d provided were false, even mine. It would be too easy for Fitzgerald to follow the plane I hired back to New York, back to Rye. Part of me wanted to change the flight plan and continue east across the Atlantic. I imagined having Adelaide in London. Medical care there was equally as advanced. Though we’d be much more difficult to find, there was one huge unknown that wouldn’t allow me to take her to my home in the United Kingdom.

When the woman on the gurney beside me woke, I wanted her to have the option to return to her life. I wouldn’t really kidnap her. She was free to do as she’d done before and tell me to leave, to tell me she wanted to work on her marriage.

If she chose that option, though it would kill me, I would let her go. But not until she was well. In the meantime, in Rye she would have access to the one person I believed she wouldn’t turn away—Alexandria.

I made a mental note to check my phone after Adelaide was secure. It would be best to have confirmation that both Chelsea and Alexandria were safe before we took off. However, it wasn’t essential. Getting Adelaide into the air was my number-one concern.

Once we made it to the home in Westchester County, we’d be safe. The house wasn’t only a fortress, but I’d made another deal with my devil—with Angelina’s cousin. There was no expense or freedom I wouldn’t sacrifice for the woman I loved. Not only was it protected on the outside, the master bedroom suite had been converted into a top-of-the-line hospital room. Silvia had been charged with the transformation. I had no doubt it would be done.

Family.

Clayton reached for the end of the gurney and pulled. As the makeshift bed hovered above the tailgate, the scissor legs and wheels fell into place. I quickly followed the gurney, supporting the foot as Clayton lifted the head and we carried Adelaide up the steps and into the cabin of the plane.

Once she was aboard, I lifted her petite body to the long leather sofa. With only a nod of understanding, Dr. Rossi inspected the bags of fluid as she moved the attachments to the improvised hospital bed she’d constructed.

As soon as the gurney was empty, Clayton moved it back toward the door.

Deloris had followed a step behind. Watching from the side, she said, “Get the ambulance back to Magnolia Woods as soon as you can. Be sure the inside is clean.”

Clayton nodded as he took one last look at Adelaide. “Is she going to make it?”

“Yes.” I couldn’t comprehend another answer.

Leery of using anyone’s name, I asked Deloris, “My son?”

She shook her head. “The last I heard, he was making his way toward her.”

My chest tightened. “Damn, she didn’t make it to the rendezvous point?”

“No. The other did.”

I nodded. I’d gotten the mass text message about Chelsea. Our mission was two-thirds complete. It wasn’t enough. It wouldn’t be for Lennox. “Message me, even if we’re out of communication. I’ll get it as soon as possible.”

“Sir, may I examine your wife before we take off. It won’t take long.”

My eyes met Eva’s. “Yes, Doctor.”

My wife. If only.

Deloris handed me a paper as I stood. Together we stepped down the stairs to the tarmac. As the night breeze blew in gusts around us, I read the small piece of paper.

Marco and Laura Ferrari

Stuffing the paper into the pocket of my jacket, I asked, “Those are the best you could do?”

She shrugged. “Two of the most common names, difficult to trace.” She reached into her pocket and handed me an envelope. “Identification for each of you. The doctor already has hers. I’ll stay here and get the next plane lined up and ready.”

I ran the smooth envelope between my fingers. “I rarely depend upon someone else.”

Her lips that had been set in a straight line of concentration shifted to an almost smile. “I’m aware and honored.” She tilted her head toward the plane. “Maybe one day you or your son will share the reason why she means so much to you, but sir, you’re like your son or maybe he’s like you. His fidelity is rarely given, but when it is, it’s fierce. I don’t understand why or how, but you are the same. I’d never witnessed it before. I’m sorry I never knew Lennox’s mother, not really. She was very ill by the time I came around.

“It is my observation that you wouldn’t hesitate to kill in order to save that woman.”

I didn’t respond. She was one hundred percent correct.

“I’d rather work with you than against you.”

“Thank you. I never forget a debt,” I said.

“I’ll message you as soon as I hear from your son.”

“Until we’re together again.”

Deloris nodded as I again ascended the steps. Once I was inside, the copilot closed the door, retracting the stairs.

“Mr. Ferrari, please take a seat. The airport is unusually quiet this evening. We can take off immediately.”

“Thank you.” I turned back to Adelaide. Dr. Rossi was tucking a blanket around her body. Her exam seemed to be complete.

“Once we’re in the air,” the copilot said, “you’re welcome to help yourself to the bar. Your assistant insisted that you have only the flight crew, no attendant.”