Cassandra listened to the family attorney read the Last Will and Testament. William kept her in it, leaving his billions and business to her. She assumed he planned on changing it after her death, after taking her Grandmother's millions, if his plan succeeded.

The attorney shook her hand. "Again," he said, "my condolences on your loss." Cassandra nodded and accepted his kind words. "Do you have any plans?"

She shook her head. "I need time to figure things out," she told him, being sincere as she could be. William ran a successful business, but she wasn't interested in it. Cassandra planned to sell it but said nothing. She figured the attorney didn't need to know. She was sure he'd been on William's dirty payroll. When the time came to sell, Cassandra didn't plan on using his services.

He walked her to the door and placed his hand over her shoulder. Cassandra flinched, not trusting anyone any longer. "If you need anything, just call me," he told her as she entered the elevator.

Cassandra turned her head toward him. "Thank you."

 

~~~~

 

The governor drove her to William's private airport. It looked nothing like commercial airports she used every time he shipped her off to Europe. There was only one building, a tower, and a runway. On it, a jet idled, waiting for her. Her jet now, she laughed to herself. She decided to leave the country. After years of posh boarding schools, this seemed the most natural for her.

Cassandra smiled, her true friends scattered across the world and she wanted to see them. America didn't hold much for Cassandra. She knew where she came from, and planned on returning from time to time, but she would enjoy her life on foreign shores.

The governor glanced at her and read her mind. "You'll always have me," he smiled.

Cassandra reached over and touched his hand. He'd been there for her more times than she could count. "I owe you my life, for fuck's sake," not afraid to let her new-self speak. "I'll stay in touch," she assured him. He looked at her and she knew he wanted to say something. Cassandra shook her head to stop him. "You've had years to come to terms with this parenting thing. I just found out weeks ago, and it will take time."

He nodded in agreement. They stepped out of the car and he took her luggage out of the trunk. Cassandra stood still, looking at the jet. New adventures and a lifetime of happiness awaited her.

The governor handed her suitcases over to the pilot. The pilot looked in her direction and she nodded. He was a good guy, hired by Cassandra herself. Anyone who worked for William were all suspicious to her. He tossed her things into a cargo area and brushed his hands together. "I'm ready whenever you are," he said. "Just buzz when you want to take off." He climbed up into the plane and took a left to the cockpit.

"I'll expect postcards," the Governor instructed. He embraced her and for the first time in a long time, Cassandra felt loved.

"Of course," she kissed him on the cheek. "I've given up all social media so postcards and phone calls are all you'll have." He looked concerned, and she hugged him again. "And of course, we'll see each other often. I can't thank you enough for all you've done for me."

He let go of Cassandra and she walked up the stairs. The interior of the jet had luxury designed all over, but it all paled when she saw blue. Blue eyes.

Anthony sat there, waiting for her. She screamed with excitement and ran to him. Anthony stood and wrapped his arms around her. Cassandra squeezed him tight, like she'd never wanted to let go. He cupped her face and kissed her, more tender than he ever had before. Her heart raced, and her knees wobbled.

Cassandra pressed into him and rubbed her hands up and down his body. He was rock hard beneath his tight leather pants. Cassandra's lips opened wide and persuaded him to enter. Anthony pulled back. "Not on the plane," he told her. "We have our whole lives ahead of us."

They took their seats and fastened their seatbelts. Cassandra looked out the window. Her real father stood there, looking lost already. "Thank you," she mouthed again. Without him, she wouldn't have been hidden, William's secrets wouldn't ruin her name, and Anthony wouldn't have been given a second chance at life.

Anthony turned her face toward him. His eyes sparkled as his smile spread across his face. The entire world thought he died in a fierce explosion. Thanks to the boss, he had a new identification. Cassandra breathed easy knowing they'd never try to take her man away again.

"I love you too," she said to him. He tilted his head and she read his mind. "It was the last thing you said that day," she grinned. "I never had the chance to say it back."

"Hmm," he laughed. "Tell me again," he kissed her. "And, again, and again."

Cassandra let the pilot know they were ready for takeoff, then pulled Anthony's head toward her. "I love you Anthony, um-" she paused, "I mean, Andrew."

The jet raced down the runway and they ascended into the clouds. Anthony held her hand next to his heart. "I love you too." Cassandra reached over and brushed her hands through his hair as she kissed him all over his face and neck. Their new life together had only just begun.

 

###