Chapter 70

Reece

\-Airport-

It’s officially 6 in the afternoon, which meant in about 15 minutes Ella and Caleb would both be getting off their flight. Caleb having booked a later flight. My thoughts now back on Ella and whether or not she had gone back to sleep after our early morning phone conversation.

Sighing, I move to check my watch. A silver Rolex sitting nice and neatly along my wrist. A present from Ella from when she was 16. It was one of those rare occasions in which Dylan, Caleb and I had gone home to visit mom and dad and of course Ella.

“You know… checking your watch isn’t going to make them show up any faster” teases Dylan. His voice pulling me from my thoughts. My eyes now on him.

“I know that, thank you Captain Obvious” I grumble. My mood still slightly off from not properly sleeping. Yet, after talking to Ella earlier this morning, I was oddly able to relax slightly and even get some shut eye.

“Don’t get crabby with me. It’s not my fault you didn’t sleep well” taunts Dylan, his voice smug.

“Oh? Like you did”

“I never said I did. But I’m at least trying to be happier. Not like you whose all grumpy and sour puss.”

Growling at his words do I try to keep it together. “Watch it Dylan. You might be family and my brother, but I won’t hesitate to clock you right in the face either.”

“Okay sorry. Geeze, remind me never to tease you when your in one of your funks”

Rolling my eyes, I’m about to check my watch again only to hear a voice. A familiar voice. “REECE!” At the sound of my name do I slowly move to turn. My body quick to stumble when a body instantly collides with mine.

My arms quick to hold the person who rammed right into me. My eyes soon spotting long platinum blonde hair. “Stellina? Is that you?”

Nodding her head does Ella continue to hold me. My body quick to relax. Caleb slowly bringing up the rear.

“Stellina! You can’t just run off like that.”

“Sorry”

Sighing, Caleb moves to run fingers through his hair. His eyes now on us once close. “Yo.”

“Yo” answers Dylan. Both of them now on me and Ella as if waiting for a response of some kind.

“How was the flight home?”

“Boring” chimes Ella.

“For whom? Because if I recall correctly, you were sound asleep during the whole flight” chimes Caleb, Ella soon blushing in return. A chuckle rising as I move to greet Caleb.

“So she slept?”

“Naturally. But maybe it was also because I tired her out before leaving” replies Caleb, clearly pleased by what he accomplished during his time with her. Ella blushing more as she tries to hide her face from view.

“CALEB” whines Ella, as she continues to hug me. Chuckles soon sounding from each of us as we continue to stand within the airport.

“What? It’s true though”

Amused by the banter and the fun do I move to pat her head gently. “There, there. Did you at least have fun while seeing your first ever racing event with Caleb?”

“Yes. Although I will admit it was kind of scary. Especially with Caleb almost getting hurt a few times, otherwise yes, the race was fun.”

“Good. We’re glad you had fun then. Maybe next time, Dylan and I will come along too. That way we can keep you company while we watch Caleb race.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really”

“Yay” cheers Ella, her body soon jumping up and down as people move to watch. Ella unaware of the looks as she continued her tiny little happy dance. Dylan chuckling in turn as he moves to grab her bag. The same bag she dropped when slowly approaching us.

“You all ready to go home then Stellina? I mean it’s late and I’m sure your hungry” offers Dylan. Ella’s belly soon grumbling upon hearing his words about food.

“Oopsie” whispers Ella, now embarrassed about the loud grumble from her belly.

“Don’t worry. We’re all a little hungry. Come let us grab a bite to eat and you can tell us all about your trip with Caleb” I say, Ella smiling as the four of us all move to leave the airport and towards the waiting car.

\~~~~~~~~~~

Dylan

Nothing makes me happier than knowing Ella’s home. Safe and sound to boot as well. Reece having filled me in earlier that morning about Ella and her early morning phone call. Explaining to me that she woke up to a terrible nightmare.

A piece of me wanting to find Nicholas and kill him with my own two hands, yet I knew that I couldn’t. I couldn’t afford to be reckless. Not with Ella needing us like we needed her.

Luckily though… I have a friend who might be able to help me. And while it’s risky to do business with someone in the Mafia, it’s a risk I’m willing to take if it means keeping Ella safe from further harm.

My thoughts now on Reece and Caleb and how they’ll react to it once I tell them my thoughts. Neither of them fond of dirtying their hands either. Especially with blood if we could help it. Because after all, even though we’re self-made billionaires, things aren’t always sunshine and rainbows and sometimes we have to seek out help from other people however we can.

And sometimes, it means getting dirty and a little messy and that’s why we have Grant and Hayden, because unlike us, they have the means and the background to kill.

My thoughts now back on Nicholas even as we move to approach the car. Hayden and Grant both at the ready as Grant moves to load up the car while Hayden moves to open the door with ease.

“Where too next Sirs?”

“Dinner. Ella here is hungry” admits Caleb, Grant chuckling as do the rest of us.

“Of course. Any place special?”

“Pizza?” asks Ella, her eyes hopeful.

“Sure. We can do pizza. Come, I know just the place” offers Hayden. Ella quick to smile as we all move to climb into the vehicle. Hayden quick to take the wheel while Grant took passenger before we all headed for the pizza joint.

The car buzzing with pent up energy as Grant moves to make small talk with Ella. “So Ella, are you excited for the ball and your birthday?”

“Uh yeah. I already have the perfect gown to wear for Reece’s ball and Kris and I are having a girls day for my birthday” explains Ella, excitement now within her voice as she moves to tell Grant all about her birthday and what she and Kris planned to do.

Ella unaware that Reece, Caleb and I had our own plans for her as well. A special surprise and Kris was only part of it. A distraction of sorts as we worked on the rest of Ella’s surprise.

“That’s awesome Ella. I’m sure Reece will love the gown when the ball comes” answers Grant. A blush rising once again as Reece moves to hold her gently.

“Of course I will Grant. After all, Ella looks amazing in anything she wears” offers Reece. The blush rising higher by the compliment. Hayden still driving towards our destination. My gaze now focused on the outside as we silently drive pass other cars and buildings.