Chapter 13

Chapter

Thirteen

Shay said goodbye to Easton, Walker, Papa, and Mama. Walker drove them to the airport. Things were so tense between her and Paul that nobody said much.

She sat in the back of the plane, wishing she could be with Paul in the cockpit, but she couldn't handle the emotions strung tight between them.

She stewed about everything Paul had told her, like she had most of the night, all the worry and stress over her brother Darian rising again. If Paul had told Darian the full truth eleven years ago, would her brother be in a different place? Sadly, she didn't think so. Unless Carrie's death could have been prevented, she imagined Darian would just be more bitter. Darian had always been there for her. He'd even helped pay for her training after college until she'd won enough races and grown a following on social media to attract sponsorships. How could she not support her brother now?

She grew nervous about the trial as the two-hour flight ended. She'd been both waiting for and dreading this day for two months. If only Paul could hold her hand while she testified. That would never happen, and it was selfish of her to want him by her side when she didn't know where she stood with him.

Aiden Porter and Autumn Cardon were waiting for them in Aiden's hangar at an executive airport south of Denver when Paul taxied the luxurious jet into the building. That made her stomach flip. Aiden Porter. He was legendary, and she realized that she'd never asked Paul if he and Autumn had any kind of relationship. Now the nerves about the trial and about the mess with Darian and Paul coming to a head were multiplied by meeting Aiden and Autumn.

She stood and stretched, waiting for Paul. He walked out of the cockpit and smiled at her, but his dark eyes reflected the anguish between them.

"Are you ready for this?" he asked. He pressed the button to open the plane door.

"The trial? No."

"I meant meeting Autumn."

"Here I am, my handsome pilot," a female voice called.

Shay turned to see the stunning brunette sashay up the plane steps and straight up to Shay. Autumn was a couple inches shorter than Shay but built just as strong. She had a confidence about her that Shay could imagine she could back up with being a top-level bodyguard. Her face was beautiful and had an innocent look about it, but the sparkle and tease in her unique golden eyes made Shay realize her guileless and angelic face was only used to lure criminals in.

Autumn had a garment bag in her hand. "Ah, we finally get to meet." Autumn gave her a quick hug. "I love you already." She arched an eyebrow. "And apparently Paul loves you more?"

"Autumn," Paul muttered, brushing his hand through his hair.

"What's this?" Aiden Porter said, standing just inside the plane. "Someone has cut the mighty oak off at the knees?"

Paul didn't respond and Shay couldn't look at him. Was he as miserable as her or annoyed that she couldn't just say all was well and move past the past? She had to deal with this nightmarish trial first. Then hopefully Paul would still be around and they could figure things out together, and with Darian.

Aiden crossed to them with his hand extended. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Cannon. I'm Aiden Porter."

"I know. You're a legend." She shook his hand. "Please call me Shay."

"Shay, you are a smart lady," Aiden said. "I am a legend, but more importantly, Autumn tells me you've blasted your way into my favorite pilot's generous heart. You couldn't have picked a better man."

Paul stiffened beside her. Shay didn't know what to say. What had Paul told Autumn? He'd said they talked often. Did they email every day like he had with Carrie?

"Aiden," Paul said, and his voice held a warning.

Aiden's brows arched.

"All's not well," Autumn muttered, exchanging a look with Aiden. "Let's get you changed," she said brightly to Shay, pressing the garment bag into her hands. "I love this sundress on you, but we need to look a bit more professional."

"Thank you." Shay walked away from Paul. She felt unsteady. She had to focus on testifying at Big T's criminal trial. That was terrifying. If only Paul could be by her side, but she and Paul felt further apart than ever.

She said a prayer and hoped it would be all right. The trial and her and Paul and Darian. Too much. It was overwhelming. The only thing she was grateful for at the moment was that she had powerful and confident people like Paul, Autumn, and Aiden Porter on her side. And she was grateful she hadn't eaten anything. She was low-key going to lose it.