Yours Completely (Billionaires and Brides 1)

“I don't know...” The thought of losing the inn was terrifying. It was all Ella had thought of for the past five years. It was her life.

“Go. I'll handle things here,” Allison promised. “It will work out. Promise.”

“What about you?”

Allison shrugged. “I've got backup plans. This was never my idea of a future. I haven't told anyone, but I applied to law school. I start in the fall.”

“Congratulations!” Ella exclaimed, hugging her stepsister. “You're going to be a great lawyer.”

“Thanks.” Allison blushed slightly and pulled back. This was more conversation and physical touch than the two had ever shared. “Now, you need to go.”

Ella stared at the money in her hand. Something inside of her finally snapped. How many years had she spent trying to fix the inn, only to have Delores push her aside? How many hours had she spent planning and dreaming, only to be told no? To be threatened? The inn was just property and a building. Six more months without Jace wasn't worth it. Her dreams were about what she could do with the inn, not the inn itself. She wanted Jace more than the inn.

“Yes,” Ella said slowly, her grip tightening around the cash. “You're right.”

“I usually am,” Allison informed her with a smug grin.

Ella hugged her stepsister again, squeezing her tight with a sisterly affection she wished they could have had years to share instead of minutes. “Thank you.”

“Don't thank me,” Allison replied, squeezing her just as tightly back. “Just invite me to the wedding.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Jace stared at the log-on screen to his laptop for the third time. Outside, the clouds hummed past the streamlined jet, but inside, he was stuck. He'd opened and shut his computer at least three times. Each time he tried to get work done, Ella's face would pop into his head and he'd lose his concentration.

His phone burned as if on fire. He'd already read the messages four times, in between each open and closing of his laptop. Something about it bothered him. It wasn't right. The words sounded enough like Ella, but she would have told him in person. She never would have missed saying goodbye.

This wasn't how things were supposed to happen. This wasn't how the story was supposed to play out and Jace knew it.

He was wrong to have left without looking for her further. He should know better than to follow in his father's bitter footsteps.

Jace needed to see her. He needed a real goodbye, and if she really did want to push him away, then... well, he could deal with it. But he needed to see her. He needed more than just a letter. He deserved more than just a letter.

“Captain,” Jace called out, standing up from his seat and heading to the cockpit. “Turn the plane around. We're going back.”

***

Ella threw her entire underwear drawer into the ratty suitcase that had been left in the lost and found. Luckily, she didn't have much to pack. Working at the inn day-in and day-out had given her a very small wardrobe. Since she wasn't bringing her work uniform, everything would fit in the small bag just fine.

Allison had already looked up the bus schedule for her. There was a bus heading to New York City leaving in two hours with her name on it. She wasn't sure exactly how to get to Jace's offices, let alone convince the staff to let her see him, but she had to try. She thought about calling him, but he was most likely on a plane thinking she hated him. She knew people turned their phones off on planes, and even though it was most likely a private jet, he still probably had his off. If he would even take her call.

No, going directly to the source was what she needed to do. It was the right thing to do. It was the only real option she had.

All she had to do was finish packing this bag and go to New York City, and considering that the only thing left to add was her hairbrush, she was ready.

After checking she had everything, she pulled the zipper shut. The bag was old and well abused, but the zipper was still strong. It would make the trip. Ella took one last deep breath, picked up her bag, and turned to the door.

Where Delores stood watching her.

“What do you think you're doing?” Delores's green eyes were narrow and her bony cheeks flushed with anger. She took a step into the room, dropping the temperature by ten degrees.

This is your moment, Ella told herself. Stiffen that backbone.

“I'm leaving.” Ella's voice was stronger than she expected, even though her hands were starting to shake. It was a good thing Delores was blocking the door, because Ella couldn't have moved her feet at that moment anyway.

“You ungrateful, spoiled, insolent brat!” Delores hissed. Fire raged in her green eyes. If looks could kill, Ella would be dead and buried.

“Ungrateful? Insolent?” Ella took a step back. Anger sprang up hot in her stomach. For the first time in her life, Ella didn't back down. “How in the world am I spoiled? I work sixty hour weeks for almost no pay. I work my fingers to the bone for you, yet you have never even given me so much as a kind word. No good job for getting the billionaire's wedding, no pat on the bat for making sure it went off without a hitch. Nothing. If anything, it's you that is spoiled.”