Draft version - Russian Roulette - Family secrets

Ch. 82: You're not entirely wrong there

The little airport golf scooter flashed through the airport.

Mackenzie had no idea what those cars at the airport were called, so she had named it golf scooter when it was waiting for her at the gate. Thanks to Gareth she was traveling 1st class and thanks to Phoenix, who had booked her tickets when they had come up with the plan, she had airport transportation included.

The ticket for her initial flight the day she had been taken by King the airline would not return because it had been booked and she had not shown up. But Phoenix had gone mental on them claiming illness and if they needed it, he would provide them with sufficient information from a doctor attesting to that fact. Mackenzie had no idea if he actually had Gerson sign papers and send them to the airline or what, but she had gotten a new ticket and she had gotten her return ticket too.

Her 'illness' had been a great reason for Phoenix to add the airport transport to the booking.

So, she sat leisurely on the golf scooter on her way from baggage claim to arrivals.

The driver was a nice girl who looked to be no more than 20, but she was chatty and sweet. She had complimented Mackenzie on her dress and asked about her trip with sincere interest.

"Do you have somebody picking you up?" she asked when they drove closer to the doors leading into arrivals. "Or do I need to take you out to a cab?"
"Yes, I think my boyfriend is picking me up."

Calling Gareth boyfriend was one of the best feelings Mackenzie had had in a long time. She knew he could not be it yet. Just a little longer of keeping him at arm's length, but now she had the guys with her. Men who would work tirelessly to get her out from under King's thumb. It gave her hope and strength to endure a little longer of hurting Gareth. He would understand and forgive her after, she had to believe that.

When they drove through the doors and out into arrivals Mackenzie spotted Gareth instantly. Dressed in all black looking like a model. The second he saw her he smiled. It was clear he had missed her just as much as she had missed him.

"He's over there." Mackenzie pointed at Gareth.
"Oh, damn. You did well with that one. Does he have any brothers?"
"No, I got the only one in existence."
"Better hold on to him then, he won't be single for long if you let that piece of male wonder go."

Mackenzie laughed nervously. There was a lot of truth to those words.

"Malyshka." Gareth grabbed her by the waist and lifted her from the golf scooter the second it stopped. He loved how she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Gareth." She looked up at him, he was there and he looked happy but still. "Are we ok? I'm sorry I got so mad at you, it was just a lot to take in."
"Already forgotten, dolly. You have nothing to apologize for, you felt the need to lash out and I deserved it. End of story." Gareth studied her face.

In reality he was the one who needed to ask her.

"But you tell me, are we ok?"
"Yes. I've had some time to think and calm down. It wasn't your fault. You didn't die. And you came back for me and gave me an explanation. We're good."

He wanted to kiss her. He wanted that so bad and still he had to stop himself. Gareth looked at her. How was it possible to miss somebody the way he had missed her the last 19 days? To be so grateful to somebody for understanding something that should not be understood?

It had never been something he had given much credit, movie romances and regular people with their love lives. His life had not been normal and though his parents had loved each other, Gareth had always known that the chance of him getting what they had had were slim to none. Best case scenario he would marry some mafia princess to strengthen his claims or he would get a surrogate to produce an heir.