Yours Completely: A Cinderella Love Story (Billionaires and Brides #1) (23 page)

“Yes,” Ella said slowly, her grip tightening around the cash. “You're right.”

“I usually am,” Allison informed her with a smug grin.

Ella hugged her stepsister again, squeezing her tight with a sisterly affection she wished they could have had years to share instead of minutes. “Thank you.”

“Don't thank me,” Allison replied, squeezing her just as tightly back. “Just invite me to the wedding.”

J
ace stared at the log-on screen to his laptop for the third time. Outside, the clouds hummed past the streamlined jet, but inside, he was stuck. He'd opened and shut his computer at least three times. Each time he tried to get work done, Ella's face would pop into his head and he'd lose his concentration.

His phone burned as if on fire. He'd already read the messages four times, in between each open and closing of his laptop. Something about it bothered him. It wasn't right. The words sounded enough like Ella, but she would have told him in person. She never would have missed saying goodbye.

This wasn't how things were supposed to happen. This wasn't how the story was supposed to play out and Jace knew it.

He was wrong to have left without looking for her further. He should know better than to follow in his father's bitter footsteps.

Jace needed to see her. He needed a real goodbye, and if she really did want to push him away, then... well, he could deal with it. But he needed to see her. He needed more than just a letter. He deserved more than just a letter.

“Captain,” Jace called out, standing up from his seat and heading to the cockpit. “Turn the plane around. We're going back.”

***

E
lla threw her entire underwear drawer into the ratty suitcase that had been left in the lost and found. Luckily, she didn't have much to pack. Working at the inn day-in and day-out had given her a very small wardrobe. Since she wasn't bringing her work uniform, everything would fit in the small bag just fine.

Allison had already looked up the bus schedule for her. There was a bus heading to New York City leaving in two hours with her name on it. She wasn't sure exactly how to get to Jace's offices, let alone convince the staff to let her see him, but she had to try. She thought about calling him, but he was most likely on a plane thinking she hated him. She knew people turned their phones off on planes, and even though it was most likely a private jet, he still probably had his off. If he would even take her call.

No, going directly to the source was what she needed to do. It was the right thing to do. It was the only real option she had.

All she had to do was finish packing this bag and go to New York City, and considering that the only thing left to add was her hairbrush, she was ready.

After checking she had everything, she pulled the zipper shut. The bag was old and well abused, but the zipper was still strong. It would make the trip. Ella took one last deep breath, picked up her bag, and turned to the door.

Where Delores stood watching her.

“What do you think you're doing?” Delores's green eyes were narrow and her bony cheeks flushed with anger. She took a step into the room, dropping the temperature by ten degrees.

This is your moment
, Ella told herself.
Stiffen that backbone.

“I'm leaving.” Ella's voice was stronger than she expected, even though her hands were starting to shake. It was a good thing Delores was blocking the door, because Ella couldn't have moved her feet at that moment anyway.

“You ungrateful, spoiled, insolent brat!” Delores hissed. Fire raged in her green eyes. If looks could kill, Ella would be dead and buried.

“Ungrateful? Insolent?” Ella took a step back. Anger sprang up hot in her stomach. For the first time in her life, Ella didn't back down. “How in the world am I spoiled? I work sixty hour weeks for almost no pay. I work my fingers to the bone for you, yet you have never even given me so much as a kind word. No good job for getting the billionaire's wedding, no pat on the bat for making sure it went off without a hitch. Nothing. If anything, it's you that is spoiled.”

“You rotten little bitch,” Delores screamed. “I'll fire you. I'll have you kicked out of here by the police!”

“Do it.” Ella stood up a little taller. The realization that Delores needed her and not the other way around hit her. “You can't run this place without me and you know it. You're scared that I'll leave and you'll actually have to do the work yourself.”

“How dare you? After all I've done for you?” Delores was practically frothing at the mouth. Anger had her spitting and her hair was coming out of its neat bun on the top of her head. “How dare you!!”

A strange calm settled over Ella. Delores couldn't touch her. So what if Delores fired her? So what if she kicked her out? Ella deserved better than what she got here. The inn would either survive or it would go up for sale. As soon as it did, Ella would purchase it and do all the things she'd always wanted to do.

“I'm leaving,” Ella said, her tone cool and calm. She was surprised that her hands weren't shaking. She picked up her suitcase and squared her shoulders. “Get out of my way, please.”

“You can't.” Delores stared at her as if she were speaking a foreign language. The tan powder of her makeup was harsh against her paling skin. Everything was going white except for her cheeks which were somehow turning pinker.

Her father never meant for her to be treated like this. His wish was for them to be a family, not for Delores to torment her. This wasn't what her father wanted. She was right to leave.

“I can and I am.” Ella moved to right in front of the door. Delores would either have to move or be run over. “I'm leaving. You can find someone else to be your punching bag. I quit.”

Delores didn't move, so Ella simply went around her. She did her best not to knock the woman over, but the door was small and the suitcase took up more room than Ella was expecting. Yet, she managed to get out without feeling guilty.

She took three steps before the panic of what she was doing sunk in. Then four more for her to realize there was nothing she could do about it. She was suddenly giddy, anxious, excited, and overwhelmed all at once.

For years, Ella had dreamed of telling her stepmother to jump in a lake. And now, she had actually done it. And done it well! Pride in herself and her own strength bubbled up, overtaking the negative emotions. She was free.

“Way to go,” Allison congratulated her as Ella jumped off the bottom step of the staircase. “She's had that coming for a long time.”

“You heard that?” Embarrassment flushed over Ella. She never intended for anyone else to be a part of her exit strategy.

“Ella, I'm pretty sure the next county over heard you.” Allison grinned and looked at her suitcase. “Good luck.”

“Thank you.” Ella almost kept walking but didn't. She stopped and gave her stepsister a hug. It took a moment for Allison to return the gesture, but she did.

“Get out of here before Mom realizes what just happened,” Allison told her. “Keep in touch.”

“I will,” Ella promised. She flashed her sister one last grin before starting the walk to the front door. From there she could get a ride to the bus station and figure out what she was going to do once she reached New York City.

Outside, the world seemed fresh and new. Different somehow. The sun was brighter and the birds sung louder.
It was almost as if Jace were here,
Ella thought. The idea of telling him just what she had said to her evil stepmother made her smile. He would be proud of her.

She stood on the curb off to the side of the hotel for a moment, debating whether she should call a cab or have the hotel driver take her to the bus stop. She felt a little guilty for using the hotel's services, especially since she didn't work there anymore, but she was going to need every dollar in her pocket.

The man from the IRS, still in his thin tie and suit, stood off to the side holding his briefcase and checking his watch. He nodded professionally to her and then turned to face the street to wait for his ride. For a moment, Ella considered asking the stern man if they could share a taxi.

She was still debating what to do next when a black limo pulled up in the driveway. Ella frowned. No guests were supposed to be arriving today. The next wedding party wasn't due to arrive for another three days, so she had no idea who this could possibly be.

The limo door opened before the driver could come around and open it for whomever was inside.

A man in a dark blue suit and flowers stepped out.

Jace.

He looked every bit the part of Prince Charming, coming to woo his princess. Ella suddenly felt very self-conscious of her patched skirt and ragged suitcase. She certainly didn't look like the princess.

“Ella?” Jace's eyes found hers. Fear tinged the blue with darkness as he approached, holding out the flowers like a peace offering.

“Jace.” Ella couldn't stop the smile as she ran over to him. Her feet skittered to a stop just short of rushing into his arms. “What are you doing here?”

“I needed to say goodbye in person.” Jace swallowed hard, his brows tightly knitted as he looked at her.

“I didn't send those text messages,” Ella replied. “That wasn't me.”

Relief filled Jace's eyes as a real smile flooded his features. “I didn't think it was you, but I had to know for sure.”

“I love you, Jace,” Ella stated. She had meant for it to sound more elegant. She had wanted to wait for the perfect moment, but it slipped out now.

Jace beamed and tossed the flowers to the driver so he could scoop her up in his arms. His lips came to hers before she had time to think, pressing into her and stealing her breath. There was so much passion that she didn't need the words to be spoken. She knew.

He said them anyway. “I love you, Ella,” he whispered, pulling back just enough to speak. Even if she didn't need to hear the words, they still made her heart flutter and her soul take wings.

She kissed him, joy bubbling up from the very tips of her toes all the way to the ends of her hair. She didn't know it was possible to feel this happy. This loved.

“Leave this place. Come away with me,” Jace said. “I see your bags are already packed.”

Ella laughed. “I was coming to find you. To say a real goodbye.”

“Say hello instead,” he insisted.

“Hello, then.” And Ella kissed him with no intention of ever stopping.

“W
ell, I see you
have
met my son.” Charles's voice broke into their private moment.

“Hi, Dad.” Jace didn't let her go, he just pulled back enough to glare at his father. “Maybe we could chat later.”

Charles chuckled. “Don't mind me.” He leaned up against the limo, crossed his arms and grinned at them.

Ella and Jace looked at one another. It felt strange to have an audience.

“What can I do for you, Dad?” Jace asked. He kept his arms protectively around Ella as if he were afraid she would disappear on him.

He didn't need to worry about that. Ella was never leaving him.

“I told you, don't mind me.” He grinned, obviously enjoying their discomfort in the most paternal way possible. “I'm just happy to see you with someone I approve of.”

Jace rolled his eyes.

“I'm glad you approve of me,” Ella said diplomatically. “But, would you mind doing it from inside the limo. Or the inn. Or just not where we can see you. I'd like to kiss him some more and it feels weird with his father watching.”

Charles grinned. “I knew I liked you. I'll just be in the car.” The older man opened the limo door and stepped inside.

“So, where were we?” Ella asked, turning back to face the man that was making her heart patter.

Jace tipped his head, bringing his lips to hers once more. “Somewhere around saying, hello.”

But his lips never connected.

A screech came from behind Ella. “Get back inside now.” Delores was the epitome of fury. Her blonde hair was wild around her head and her green eyes blazed hotter than dragon fire.

Ella's warm feelings of happiness dissipated. If Jace's arms hadn't been wrapped around her, she would have bolted out into the street. She'd never seen Delores so angry or terrifying. She looked ready to murder. Ella wondered if she was going to survive angering her stepmother.

“Get back inside now,” Delores repeated. Her voice was harsh and cracked with rage. “You think you can do this? To me?
TO ME?
”

Ella trembled, but Jace's arms tightened around her. She had her hero and she knew he'd never let anything happen to her.

“No.” A calm peace settled over Ella, and her backbone stiffened. “You don't own me. I've let you push me around. I let you, because I thought it was worth it to get this place. It isn't.”

“Is that so?” Delores's mouth pursed as if she tasted something sour. Her eyes still flashed fury.

“Yes.” Ella took a deep breath and raised her chin. She even stepped forward, no longer afraid of Delores. The worst Delores could do was tell the judge Ella hadn't met the requirements. Ella could dispute that. Maria, Allison, Madelyn, and Jace would all be able to dispute that.

“I'll ruin you.” Delores glared at her and for a moment Ella's courage faltered.

“No. I deserve this inn. I don't deserve you.” Ella squared her shoulders. “And you, Delores Phillips, most certainly don't deserve me.”

Jace squeezed her shoulders. She didn't need it, but she appreciated it. His support made this easier.

Delores started to laugh. No, it wasn't even a laugh. It was a cackle. A shrieking, demonic sound that made the hairs on Ella's arms stand on end. The woman was insane. She'd lost it.

“Excuse me, you are Delores Phillips?” The man from the IRS had stepped over at the sound of the name.

“I am.” Delores glared at him. Ella decided he must not be human, because any one else would have turned to stone under her gaze. The IRS must have very confident employees.

“I'm glad to finally have your attention,” the man said. He pulled out a letter from a sleeve of his briefcase and handed it to her. “You may want a lawyer.”