Fidelity (Infidelity #5)

I nodded. “We have a lot to discuss.”

Clayton pulled the SUV through the open gate at the airport. The fog from near the manor was gone. We’d driven out of it many miles ago. But as we neared the hangar, an uneasy sense of déjà vu came over me. The blue flashing lights of two police cars illuminated the tarmac. Speaking to the officers was Deloris.

Just before the SUV came to a stop, my phone vibrated. I wasn’t the only one to get the text. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I handed it to Charli.

“Look at this, princess. I’ll go speak to the officers first.”

“No, Deloris said they want to question us.” Her rebuttal ended with a gasp.

At the same time, Isaac spoke, “Sir, it’s a group text from your father.”

“Nox,” Charli said, looking up from my phone, “it’s my mom.”





TWO HOURS. I looked down at my watch. The flight plan called for two hours and eight minutes from wheels up to wheels down. It had only been thirty-five minutes and already Eva was leaning over Adelaide and fidgeting with her IV. Though the physician in her refused to tell me her thoughts, her expression and concentration did little to hide her concerns.

A blood pressure cuff was secured around Adelaide’s arm and Eva had her stethoscope in her ears, but I wondered how the doctor could possibly hear anything over the roar of the engines.

I contemplated the bar the copilot had offered. A few fingers of whiskey would ease the sharp edge of my anxiety. My pulse raced as the doctor took Adelaide’s.

Instead of a drink, I leaned toward Adelaide and rested my hand on the blanket covering her legs. It was the connection that I sought, the one I’d missed. Just touching her calmed my nerves. My thoughts volleyed between elation that we’d rescued her and terror at her condition. At first I’d attributed her movement to the plane, but the longer my hand rested, the more apparent the trembling became.

“She’s shaking,” I said when Eva removed the earpieces.

One by one, Eva lifted Adelaide’s eyelids and shone a light into her eyes. I took a deep breath remembering her eyes, bright and blue like the New York sky. Though it had been a lifetime ago, I recalled the way they stared into mine as we’d made love and the way they’d sparkled as we talked and laughed.

“What are you seeing?” I finally asked.

“Her pupils are dilated.”

“Because you’re shining a light on them. That’s normal.”

Eva’s bottom lip disappeared as she turned my way. I had a knack for reading people, sensing fear and resolution. Without a word I knew when a man was resolved to his future—or the lack thereof. Carmine once called it a gift. In this moment, I considered it more of a curse. There was more that Eva wasn’t saying.

“Talk to me, damn it!” My demand came out louder than I intended.

“Ore-Mr. Ferrari, I’m afraid your wife may be going into shock. Pupils contract to light not dilate. Her pupils have enlarged since my initial exam. The cause could be a combination of the medication and her withdrawals.”

“None of that’s changed since we took off.”

“I’m concerned that the move has been difficult for her.”

I sprang the latch on the seatbelt and stood. “No, that’s not it. Whatever’s happening, make it stop.”

Though I’d felt Adelaide’s trembling, when I looked down into her face, I looked past her ghostly complexion. She was the woman I loved. It was then I noticed the perspiration dotting her forehead and upper lip. I reached for the blanket and pulled it back.

“Why the hell is she covered if she’s too hot?”

Dr. Rossi stood, meeting me face-to-face, and reached for the blanket. “She’s not hot. Feel her skin: she’s cold. Too cold.”

Before I could respond, we both were silenced. The cabin filled with Adelaide’s breathing as it sputtered and gagged as if she were gasping for breath.

Eva fell to her knees and placed the stethoscope over Adelaide’s chest.

Spinning in place, I pulled at my hair, closed my eyes, and silently prayed, “I know I’m not a good man. I can’t change that. I’ve made deals with the devil, but that’s me. Please don’t take it out on her. She deserves so much more than she’s had.”

Eva reached for the bag she’d brought onboard. “Her pulse is erratic—quivering. I’m getting more saline to help flush her system. Search the cabinets for an AED, just in case.”

My eyes wildly roamed the interior of the cabin. “AED? The defibrillator thing?”

“Yes. Now. It’s better to be safe.”