All The Pieces (Pieces of Lies 3) (17 page)

Relief swept through me as I saw Josh tied to a chair, a blindfold wrapped around his face, a gag in his mouth. I dropped to my knees, ripped off the blindfold and began to untie his gag. “Norah?” he yelled, as I pulled his gag free from his mouth. I could barely hear him, but I know he said my name.

“Yes Josh it’s me. It’s me. I’ve found you. I’m here.” I tried to work faster at loosening the ropes on his wrists, but my need to free him seemed to slow my advances. Suddenly the music stopped and the house lights came on. The instant bright light caused my eyes to squint and drop the rope in my hands. There was an immediate unnatural silence. I opened my eyes wider, now adjusting to the light, and began working again on the ropes, finding myself finally able to get them undone. It was all pure emotion flooding through my body. Relief, happiness and love. I didn’t care that I was now officially a member of the Lappell. I didn’t care about Josh’s manipulation. I cared about what I felt in that moment, in my heart, and in my head. It was all love. Unconditional, overwhelming, love. Josh is, and will always be, my future.

“I can’t believe you joined for me Norah. I can’t believe you would do that.”

“Did you really doubt that I would?”

“I thought after I told you about what I did to Clint and Samuel, you would have changed your mind.”

Josh’s hands were now free, and he got to his knees, his arms going around me. “It doesn’t matter Josh. None of it matters. I only want you...I only want...”

Clapping. Two hands clapping loudly stopped Josh and I speaking any further, and we spun around to see what was going on behind the black curtain. There was Hamilton Brooks, with at least four bodyguards, watching us reunite in a now empty night club. Tess, Clint and Samuel were standing in a small group next to them, also watching us, but keeping their distance, now on full alert with Hamilton in the room.

Hamilton looked down to his watch. “And with seven minutes to spare. Well done Miss Rossi. Well done. I’m very pleased. I have very much enjoyed watching you.” He looked over to Clint for a split second. “In more ways than one.” I felt Josh tense in my arms. I could feel his anger wanting to lash out. I held onto his hands, making sure he was restrained.

“So...” Hamilton began, a wide grin on his face. “Now that you have officially passed initiation, we can move onto the final phase of your membership which will take place this Sunday. I will arrange for a car to pick you up Sunday morning, and we’ll have our final ceremony which will complete your induction and membership. And once that’s over Ms. Rossi...you’ll be, free to go.”

I swallowed. Hamilton moved across the empty dance floor and up on to the stage. It was taking all my strength to keep Josh from attacking him. Josh’s hands were now shaking and clenching as he got closer. “Don’t...” I whispered to Josh. We had got this far. I had Josh back safely. I didn’t want anything else to go wrong. Hamilton stopped in front of me and held out his hand, like he wanted me to take it. I stared at him for a second, before reaching out and placing my hand in his. He took my hand and brought it to his mouth, kissing my knuckles.

“A real pleasure Ms. Rossi. I look forward to your membership with us. I think you’ll find, you will be greatly appreciated in our little club.” He kissed my knuckles again. “To this Sunday...” I withdrew my hand swiftly, repulsed that his lips were on any part of my skin.

He motioned to his bodyguards, who started following him out. Before he reached the door, he turned once more, his voice louder and echoing in the empty room. “I hope I won’t have to remind you what will happen if you do anything stupid before Sunday Miss Rossi. Because by the looks of it, you have some really special friends. I’m sure Joshua can tell you how much I don’t like to be...disappointed.”

And with that, Hamilton and his cronies left the giant empty club, leaving me kneeling on the stage with Josh’s arms around my waist, and with Tess, Clint and Samuel gawking silently at our reconciliation, not one of them saying a word.

I wasn’t sure why Tess, Clint and Samuel had become so quiet. We had done it. We had saved Josh. He was back with us safely. I would become an official Lappell member on Sunday, and it would become just another new complication in my already complicated life. I was already so used to the weird and precarious nature of my own world, what was one more strange inclusion? At least I could go with Josh to meetings and there would be nothing we couldn’t talk about.

“Should we head back to the mansion now?” I turned to Josh, holding both of his hands, still riding high on the fact he was in front of me. “We have a Mercedes in the alley out back. It’s Clint’s sister’s. Wait till you see his home Josh. It’s just amazing. I’ll show you the house, and oh...there’s this massive maze out back like out of that movie
Labyrinth
I love. You’re going to be blown away. It’s extraordinary.” I was giddy and rambling. I turned to the Clint, Tess and Samuel, “Right guys?”

Their faces looked forlorn.
Why do they look like someone had died?

“Right guys!” My voice probed them again, confused by their expressions.

Clint nudged Samuel. “Do it...now.”

Then I felt it. The same feeling I’ve had many times before. That feeling that I was about to get a big reveal. Like I was about to be exposed to a lie. Like I was going to be broken and shattered into a million pieces. I put my hands on my gun. It was the only thing I could do to try and stop every part of my body from breaking down. I knew it. I knew back in Prague they were hiding something that would hurt me. I knew there was going to be another painful, heart-breaking lie.

I saw Samuel’s nostrils flare as he saw me take hold of my gun, my hand dangerously close to the trigger. He closed his eyes for a second, and took another breath. He reached into the inside lining of his leather jacket and came out with an envelope.

An envelope?

He approached me, envelope in hand, trying hard not to look me in the eyes. His face was unable to hide his hurt. His expression was twisted, his eyes hooded and sad, his mouth not smiling, but frowning.

“This,” Samuel said, handing the envelope over to me, “is from your Dad. We were instructed to give it to you the moment we got Josh back safely. So...here it is.” After he gave it to me, he walked back and stood near Tess, who looked liked she was struggling to stand up.

My Dad? A letter?

I took my other hand off the gun and then used it to open the envelope, pulling out the letter. It was indeed from my Dad as I recognized his handwriting. I glanced once more at Tess, Clint and Samuel, wondering what could possibly be happening. When I still couldn’t interpret their expressions, I turned my head down to read.

My dearest Lenorah,

After significant reflection, and much contemplation and planning, and after many years of watching you struggle, the decision has been made. This wasn’t a decision I made lightly. You are my daughter. You are supposed to always be where I can see you, watch you, and look after you. However, this is no longer a viable possibility. I’ve been trying to keep you safe, and have reached the point where I need to do what I’ve always known I would need to do. I’ve allowed this to go on for as long as it can. My reach only goes so far.

I blame myself. I do not blame Joshua, Samuel or Clint. I know that if I had been more lenient with boys and their interest in you from beginning, than we might possibly be in a different position right now. But even if you were never sent to Morewell, and not on the Lappell’s radar, you would still be surrounded by my world. And your life would still be in constant danger. You would always be a target. Your identity will always be my daughter, and as such, will always be subject to assumptions and perceptions which no way define your true beauty and nature. I know this. I’ve watched you hide through high school. I’ve watched you try and keep your identity a secret at McLaren. I’ve watched you constantly be in this state of accepted pain and turmoil because I couldn’t let you go. And I’m sorry. I’m sorry I’ve let this go on for as long as it did. You are just so much like your mother in the way you are strong and stubborn but yet so passionate and free. I watch you, and it’s as if I’m watching her. It’s always been as if she was still with me. And I just couldn’t part with that. Some love, just never leaves you, no matter what time passes. It’s always a part of your humanity. But I know she is with you, protecting you, and I know she would want me to do this.

I’ve been thinking about this for quite some time, but I realized that when your only daughter runs off to get married overseas (yes, of course I knew) without her family, just so she can feel safe and comfortable but still ends up in more danger — well that says to me, the time has come. That time is now. Lenorah, please understand, this is not our good-bye. We will see each other again when the time is right and you are safe. This is however, is good-bye to your old life, and the start of a new one I have waiting for you.

On the 15
^th
, there is a small plane leaving London with your name, and Joshua’s name on its manifest. This particular plane will not land. It will crash, and you and Joshua will be declared deceased. The arrangements have already been made for both your funerals in New York. It will be in the media. Everyone will know publically that my daughter and her fiancé died in a plane crash.

At the same time, Samuel and Clint will take you both to a location to meet some of my contacts. They will take you both to an undisclosed airstrip where you will board a small plane. That plane will take you to your new home and to your brand new identities. It is the start you deserve. It’s a real chance for you to be happy, without the Lappell and without the threat of my world.

Please know Lenorah, that your loyalty and your acceptance of me and my lifestyle, has never gone unnoticed. You are special. You are beautiful. You are talented. You see the best in people through their faults. You forgive. You stand your ground. You fight and you know how to love. You are my greatest achievement Lenorah, and I have never been more proud of anything in my entire life.

My girl, please understand this has to happen. It’s already done. Please do as the boys tell you. I am trusting them to make sure they follow all my instructions. I know they love you and will make sure you get to my contacts safely. I told them about this plan because I know they still care about you, and they will never reveal what we’ve done because they want you to always be safe. They wanted to spend this small amount of time they had left with you. They wanted a chance to say good-bye. I know if I was given the chance to say good-bye to your mother, I would have taken it any way I could. I know what it’s like to lose something you love without having that opportunity, so I’ve given this to them because they deserve it. And so do you. I’ve always known they were never bad guys. I would have never allowed you to date them if I thought otherwise. That’s also how I know that Joshua will be going with you, even after what he has done. I know you will forgive him. You probably already have.

Please, do not fight this Lenorah.

Do this for me.

Do this for your mother.

Do this for yourself.

As soon as you are at your new destination, I will be in contact with you.

I love you.

Your Father, Joe.

Lenorah Simona Rossi was about to disappear.

Forever.

I handed the letter to Josh who immediately began reading. I turned and saw Clint, Samuel and Tess staring at me, waiting to see my reaction. Tess was already crying. She knew. That explained her outburst outside. Clint and Samuel’s eyes only stared into mine with sadness, with regret, with something that was already saying good-bye. They had come here knowing it would be the last time we would ever be together. The last time we could ever speak, and see each other’s faces. They helped me get Josh back because it was what I wanted. They were here to protect me, keep me safe and ensure both me and Josh leave together even after what he had done. All for me. I had no words for what I felt in that moment. These guys...were so much more than special. They were all part of my soul. And we were all friends. Finally friends. It was all I ever truly wanted. And now it was going to be taken away from me. No. Not now. Not after this. They were too important to me. Clint, Samuel and Tess.

I ran to them. I didn’t care if I was excessively emotional. There was no time left to hold anything back. My arms went around the three of them in a giant group hug, and I let out loud sobs, not holding an ounce of emotion in. It was just sadness. It was sorrow dripping from my pores and onto three of the most important people in my life that I had to say good-bye to. I didn’t want this. I never wanted to say good-bye. I know that now. They held different parts of me. The best parts. I had given them each a piece of my heart and now I was being forced to never see them again.