Page 108 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

His eyes swept the property before settling on me.

“Well, this is quite the place.”

I stuffed my hands into the pockets of my jeans.

“You could say that. How was the flight?”

Nathaniel knew what I was really asking.

“Uneventful. How are things here?”

“So far uneventful.”

“Perfect. I brought what you asked, it’s in the trunk.”

I nodded. “Thanks, I really didn’t want to wash one set of clothes for however many days we are on the run.”

“I think it’s adorable. You two are like Bonnie and Clyde.”

“Uh huh…you do know how their story ended, right?”

Lifting a shoulder casually he let it drop. “I have faith you’ll have a better ending.” Nathaniel smirked.

“Ass.” I pointed a the barn. “Kaylani is putting Atlas away.”

“Lead the way.”

We walked in perfect rhythm, Ivan and Guy a few strides behind as we entered the stables. Those who were still here stared, curiosity written all over their faces.

Kaylani was closing Atlas’s stall door when we rounded the corner. The moment she looked up, Nathaniel’s expression shifted. The cool, reserved mafia son and powerful billionaire disappeared, replaced by someone softer.

He looked at her like she was still his baby sister, even though she was all grown up and committing crimes.

Kaylani walked toward Nathaniel, and I moved back to give them space. Nathaniel opened his arms, and she went into them hard, like she had been holding herself together with tape and had finally found a hand that wouldn’t let go.

He kissed the top of her head.

“Look at me. Are you okay?” Nathaniel’s voice was low enough that only the three of us could hear.

Kaylani let out a laugh that sounded like it hurt.

“No,” she breathed, and the word carried the weight of every mile she had driven on fury and fumes. “But I had to. I couldn’t let him think he owned me. I’m sorry if I’ve caused more drama in the family. I feel bad for Mom. I know she takes the brunt of his tantrums.”

Nathaniel held her tighter.

“It’s okay,” he murmured. “I’ve got a plan.”

Her fingers clenched in the back of his suit jacket.

“It’s just…I can’t believe he took him in the first place. You should have heard him on the phone. He made sure to take Atlas when it would terrify me the most, when I couldn’t stop him, when it would hit the hardest. He planned it that way. What kind of father does that?”

Nathaniel pulled back and placed his hands on her shoulders.

“Don’t get me started. Father has no line or boundary he won’t cross to get what he wants.”

He touched her under her chin like he had when they were kids, and Kaylani looked up, her eyes full of unshed tears.

“Listen to me, sis. I have it all set up. If Dimitri puts Atlas on the market, I’ll buy him before the listing finishes loading. I have shell companies he doesn’t know exist, and eyes watching for any sign of Atlas. I’ll pay whatever it takes for you to keep him. I swear to you, he is not going anywhere.”