Fidelity (Infidelity #5)

“Yes?” Nox replied.

“Sir, Mrs. Spencer—or Miss Collins, whoever you are, ma’am—is right. We cannot stop her or Miss Moore from leaving; however, you may not leave.”

“What?”

“Sir, there has just been a warrant signed by the judge.” He took a step back. “Come down the stairs peacefully.”

“On what grounds?” Deloris asked.

“Mr. Lennox Demetri, you are under arrest.”

“No!” I reached for Nox’s hand and turned toward the police. “For what? He’s innocent.” As I spoke I looked at the hand in my grasp. In the car I’d noticed that Nox’s knuckles were swollen and lacerated. I doubted that it happened with the one punch he’d given Alton, but nevertheless, it could be used as evidence.

“Princess,” Nox said, “go with Deloris. There’s someone who needs you.”

My momma.

The thought tore at my heart. She was stable. That was what the text said. I couldn’t… I wouldn’t make this decision again.

My head moved from side to side as tears filled my eyes. “I need you.” Turning toward the police. “Please, I’m Alexandria Montague Collins. Surely that means something. I’ll personally vouch for this man. He’s innocent of whatever charges my stepfather wants to drum up.”

The man with the lanyard removed the gun from his holster. “Mr. Demetri, step down from the plane.”

Nox pulled me close until our lips touched. The connection created a peaceful stillness within the eye of a hurricane. All around us the perilous winds blew, destroying lives with their vicious lies and betrayal, yet with just the two of us, the world was right. As our lips separated, he said, “Go.”

“No. I won’t leave without you. Not again.”

We both took a step down.

As soon as Nox’s shoes hit the tarmac, the officer who’d been speaking with him earlier came forward with a pair of handcuffs. The pressure in my chest was suffocating. In the course of a little over two hours, I’d watched two of the men in my life be handcuffed and taken away.

“Mr. Demetri,” Officer Michaels began, “you have the right…”

I reached for Nox’s arm. “No! Please!”

It was Deloris who grabbed my hand as the Miranda rights continued. “Alex, come up the stairs now.”

I’d been strong too long. I didn’t want to be strong any longer. My knees buckled and chest heaved. “No!”

All three officers escorted Nox toward one of the waiting cars as Isaac reached for my hands. “Ma’am, I’ll stay here in Savannah with him. We’ll pay the bond and have him in New York before you wake.”

My head continued to shake. I didn’t doubt Isaac or Deloris. I just didn’t want to leave Nox. “I’m a Montague. I should stay. I can help him.”

Isaac spoke softly, “Ma’am, go to your mother.”

“Alex,” Deloris said, “we need to get you out of here. Don’t you see? This is all a ploy to get you to stay.”

I shook my head and swallowed my tears. “But…”

It was then my gaze met Nox’s. As he ducked his head to enter the backseat of one of the cars, we connected again. Though his lips never moved, I heard his plea: “trust me, princess. I’ll come back to you.”

I gave into the pressure. The world lost its tilt. Lost its color. Lost its sound. A sob escaped my throat as I reached for the railing. My bones were no longer rigid. I sank to the stair. The movie we’d watched was over. The blue lights disappeared as the police cars drove away.

“Oh my God. They took him!” My words were barely audible between sobs.

The rest of my party was functioning—moving and talking—as my face fell to my knees.

“Isaac,” Deloris said, “take the SUV. Go.” She took charge, giving orders and typing on her phone. Chelsea was beside me and Clayton was coming closer. Yet my life was incomplete.

“Ma’am,” Isaac asked, kneeling before me. “Do you need help to the plane?”

I reached again for his hand as my tear-covered face met his. “Please stay with him as close as you can. I don’t trust my stepfather. He’s up to something. What charge? Find out. Oh, God, Isaac, please.” I looked at Deloris. “Do you know?”

She pursed her lips. “At this moment, I can’t venture to guess.”

If I didn’t know better, I’d say there was a hint of unusual concern in her voice.

My legs wobbled as I forced myself to stand, to move, to reach the top of the steps. This time I was leading the parade. In seconds Deloris, Clayton, Chelsea, and I were all in the cabin. The luxurious interior meant nothing as I rushed toward a window. Placing the palm of my hand against the glass I searched for the police cars, for my love, for my life, but everything was gone.

“Alex, you need to sit.”

I hadn’t noticed that the door had been shut or that everyone else was seated.