guys are going to shit when they hear about this. Let me get a hold of them and square it all away. See you when you get to Palm Springs. Oh,” she said, her voice an octave higher, “I can’t wait to meet Avery.”
“Thank God.” I smiled. “Once you get acquainted, I’m sure you’ll both enjoy making fun of Jake and me in our penguin suits.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Avery
After I’d made arrangements for Addison to stay with Larry and Annette until Monday, it seemed as though a whirlwind of controlled chaos took me and held me from the second Jim and I left his home.
How the man pulled off all of the shit that happened between calling for his driver and managing things with his personal assistants, I would never know. I would also never attempt to understand how this man operated so calmly in the midst of what I would have had to sit and take a month to plan out.
We made a quick stop by my house for me to change and get last-minute travel items. Once I’d thrown my toiletries in a bag, I went to my dresser. Knowing time was of the essence, I tossed in random comfy shorts, tanks, bras, shoes, jeans, and whatever the hell else I could grab to put in my small duffle bag.
Jim was understandably on the phone the entire trip from my house to a private airport. I took this time to get on the phone with Addy and hear all about her day at the zoo. They were heading to the movies next, and as always, hearing Addy’s excitement made me delighted that she was enjoying her weekend. It made me look forward to this trip more, knowing that she was having a blast with her grandparents, which she always did when Derek’s stupid ass was out of the picture.
The driver pulled into the private airport and drove the car to where a sweet-ass helicopter was. I watched in awe when a man in a dark suit walked briskly toward Jim’s door right as Jim hung up from his call.
“Henry.” Jim shook the man’s hand, stepping out of the car. “Good to see you. Thanks for handling everything last minute for me,” he said, reaching his hand back for me to place mine in.
“Never a problem, Mr. Mitchell,” Henry answered while I stepped out of the car. “Will there be anything else aside from what is already on our itinerary?”
“Yes, I do have something else,” he said, his hand clutching mine. “I want the security detail to back off a bit. England was too much. I practically had to pay them off to allow me some freedom,” he said with a half-laugh. “Other than that, is everything arranged at the hotel, then?”
“Yes, and your suite is reserved where the conference will be taking place,” the man answered. “I’ll inform and update the men in your security detail about your preferences.”
Jim’s hand slid across my lower back. “Very good. This is Avery Gilbert,” he said, keeping his CEO, authoritative tone. I certainly was at James H. Mitchell’s side. “She will be with me throughout the entire trip. Ensure the detail has their eye on her as well,” he finished by taking my hand back into his.
“Absolutely, Mr. Mitchell,” he answered and smiled at me. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Gilbert.”
I returned his smile, more nervous than anything, but playing along. Jim and I walked toward the helicopter, where Jim’s driver had returned from placing our bags. This was beyond surreal. Jim’s phone rang, and he took the call as we stepped onto the aircraft.
I’d never been in a helicopter before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I definitely didn’t expect it to be this massive and luxurious. The smell of leather reminded me of the fragrance in Jim’s luxury cars. Four large chairs sat at the front and back of the cabin while the middle area—with hardwood floors—had leather couches lining the windows that stretched along the entire cabin. It was more than high class—this was ludicrous wealth.
Jim guided me to buckle up while continuing to throw out some more instructions about the event we were heading to. I buckled myself in, and followed Jim in chilling out at the back of the helicopter in the two captain-like chairs. This was so fucking badass.
I glanced up to see a monitor that showed the flight patterns on it. The sun was setting, and I don’t think this rushed trip could’ve