*Trisha*

I follow Nate onto the aircraft. It's brand new. He sold his "old" private jet and upgraded to the newer model to accommodate more people. The Dassault Falcon 7X can seat up to 16 passengers. 16! 

Both of the private pilots Nate hired for tour are in love with this new model.

I look around the spacious luxury jet and can't believe this is my life. This is my life as Nate Hollan's personal assistant... and best friend. Sure, I make millions being employed by him, but to actually live like him. to live like this... Coming from where I came from... just. Wow.

"This is yours now?" I ask as my hand glides across the leather interior of the couch. Yes. The plane has a fucking couch. Not only that. It pulls out into a bed. Actually, all sixteen recliners recline fully into beds. Each one also has a separate table folded into the wall that can come out as a fully equipped workspace. Each recliner has their own TV/  tablet that can be  pulled out and swivel in front of them.

TWO full bathrooms in the main cabin with walk in showers. You don't see that often.

"This is OURS now, Trish. You earned it too. Your name is under mine on the title."

Wait. WHAT? Nate has never done that for me before.

"You've worked hard. It's been a tough year. You deserve this tour just as much as I do and I know you have been looking forward to it.

I swallow hard and pull a Julia. I cover my mouth and burst into tears while looking around. I never cry. Not like this. Nate smiles and draws me into his arms.

"Awww is that all it takes to get real emotion out of you? Buy you an airplane?" He kisses the side of my head and I hold on to him tight. I'm crying of happy and sad tears.

Because without telling me so, with his health, Nate is preparing for my future with out him in it.  I cry of sadness just thinking about the possibility of losing my best friend. The man I'm in love with and will always love. He put my name under his on the title to make sure the jet goes to me when he... when he..

"Nate. Please. Just tell me what's wrong with you!" I back away, now a crying mess. I watch his eyes sadden and he sits down on one of the recliners, sitting me sideways on his lap. He puts two and two together and knows I have access to all of his medical documents. 

"I'm gonna be fine."

I cry harder and Nate takes my face into his hands.

"Listen to me, Trisha. I'm gonna be just fine."

"But, they found more stuff wrong. An arrhythmia? Coronary Heart Disease? Nate... you were never going to tell me!" I sniff and Nate wipes my tears.

"Look at me. I was. Ok? Believe me, I was. I don't want you to worry. I'm not worried. Jonah's not worried. There are things they can can do if my symptoms get worse."

"The pacemaker.." I read the files. All the files. Over and over again.

"The pacemaker. Medications.. I have THE best team of Cardiologists. You know that. I'm in good hands. And look... I'm sober now. I don't smoke. I eat the proper foods and get plenty of exercise. We've got Maggie as our little stress reliever pet, I'm doing all the right things with the genetics I have. I'm doing everything I can, alright?" Nate kisses my lips but just in a Friend Zone way and then hugs me tight. I nod and hug him back.

"Please. Don't tell anyone. Don't tell Julia, yeah? It will just freak her out."

"I won't tell Julia."

"Now C'mon, lets go see the master bedroom!" Nate changes the topic and pulls me up with him, walking me into this- for a plane- massive bedroom with its own bathroom and larger walk in shower. 

"Me and Jules will stay in here but you can use the bigger shower anytime you want, Angel. What's mine is yours. You know that. Hey.... I'm gonna be fine, Trish. We're going on Tour! Around the world. Together!" Nate exclaims and I fake a smile. He gives me a look of empathy and a nod while wiping my tears. He knows I know he won't be fine.

He's accepted his fate. Whatever that may be. And now I have to accept it as well.

*****

We planned this surprise over a month ago and Holly and her crew set up everyone's wardrobes today. Nate also gave Jonah and Casey free reign  with his credit card to go shopping.  Nate is always doing things like that for other people. He's a very generous man. Always donating to good causes, helping people in need, going above and beyond for his staff. All of it. His heart is big. It's weak and not working right but still big.

The look on James and Julia's faces is something I won't forget. James was actually choked up while looking at all the racks of clothes. He can keep all, some or none but everything is in his size and right up his alley. I've gone shopping with James a few times now. I know what he likes. Holly also threw in some pieces to help him think outside the box a little as well. A few really nice suits and dressier clothes. All with matching shoes, watches, the works.

Nate takes Julia to their section on the other side of the room while I help James. He still needs a good amount of help when it comes to getting dressed. Especially with zippers and buttons which is why most of the time he is in athletic clothes.

"You guys did this? For us?" James asks softly while looking at the different outfits.

"Yep. We do this every tour. It's so much fun. This is just for the first leg of the tour. Holly is already working on the next wardrobe for everyone. You'll never have to wear the same thing twice.. if you don't want to. Now, take your pants off." I demand and James laughs. He has a great laugh.

James pulls down his pants and  throws his hand out to lean against the wall for balance while I help him step out of them. There he stands. In just a pair of black boxer briefs. In all his glory. Each and every single muscle on his body defined. Even after being in a coma.

"Lets play dress up." I tease and pull out an outfit for James and one for me. We both freeze when we hear what we hear.

You can hear Nate whispering something to Julia and then.. Are you fucking kidding me right now?

"You guys good over there?" I holler across the room. We can't see them with the partitions in the way but both James and I catch on real fast.

"Yes!"  Nate and Julia yell out in unison.

"They're having sex behind there." James whispers while my hands are frozen on the zipper of his jeans. He looks down and back up at me with a slight smile. I roll my eyes and remove my hands.

"Seriously, Nate?!" I sigh obnoxiously. "C'mon James. Lets try this stuff in your room." I announce loudly while we both grab a rack and roll them into James's room.

"Unbelievable." I huff after shutting the door. I look back at James who is just standing there. No shirt on  with jeans not yet zipped or buttoned.

"Down boy." I say like I'm talking to a dog. We haven't even kissed since before his coma. I'm not about to have sex with the man. But I do tease him a bit by getting undressed myself to try on clothes, leaving him not fully dressed himself. I stand in front of him and place my hands on the button of his jeans. "On or off."

"Depends......" James says in a bit of a lower voice.

"On what?" I raise an eyebrow.

"What you're willing to do." He smirks and I  shake my head at him. "What? Everyone else seems to be getting it on today."

"Men." I huff and behave. Helping James try on clothes while trying some on myself. We spend a half hour doing this while he makes little comments and remarks in a joking way. Then we hear a loud bang, laughing and scrambling.

"What the hell?" I open the door and peek out. The partition fell down completely. There's a pile of clothes on the ground and then I hear Nate's door slam shut. "Oh my God." I shut James's door. "I swear we are living with horny teenagers."

"Wonder how it will be on tour. How does THAT work?" James raises an eyebrow while fixing his hair in the mirror. "I like this one." He says.

He looks fucking hot wearing this suit. Like he just walked off a GQ magazine shoot. James could seriously be a model. Everything about him screams sexy.

"Ok....so we definitely have to do something  on tour so you can go out in that suit." I fake fan myself with my hand." God, Mr. Gallo."

"Only if you are gonna wear that." James eyes the fire engine red dress I'm currently trying on.  It's skin tight and VERY short on me. Maybe it would be better for someone smaller like Julia.

"Um..yeah.. I don't think so. I think this one belongs on Moretti's rack. If I bend down I'll be flashing my who-ha to the world."

"For the love of God, please bend down."

"Ha... Ha... Ha.." I unzip the very tiny dress. "Don't you have other places to be today?" I tease and help James get out of the suit.

"Actually, yes I do. I get to go tell my sisters I'm for sure going on tour. Wanna come with me and watch five grown women cry? It's loads of fun."

"I think I'll pass."

*****

*James*

"You're really going away for an entire year?"

I knew this was going to be hard for my sisters. I had a feeling they thought Julia would say no to traveling which means I would stay local. They know wherever Julia goes I will follow. So now that the decision is final and the tour kickoff date is approaching, the girls are feeling it.

I haven't been over Mom's house since Katie had whatever little episode she had, sending me to Sully's to stop thinking about shit our asshole father did to us.

Do I want to leave my sisters here, knowing that fucker is still alive? No, not a chance. But my sisters don't live their life in fear, so I need to stop as well. We are all grown adults now.

"You guys will take care of my house for me, right? Water my plants? My..my garden?" I stutter a little watching Gwen tear up which turns into a domino effect with the girls. When Gwen cries it's excruciating. Believe me. It's tough to watch.

"You're really doing this." Katie states and gives me a nod. "Good for you, Jamie." 

She gets it. She's sad but she's happy for me.

"And Nate is still going to take care of you all. You know that right? Every single check Trisha sends to you...you will continue to get."

"Seriously?" Ashley chokes out in between tears.

"Seriously. He's a good man. He cares." I nod. It's the truth. Behind that layer of celebrity, Nate is an outstanding person. He makes mistakes. Sometimes big ones. But he would take the shirt off his back for anyone he loves.

"This is such a huge opportunity for you!" Jennie exclaims. Some of my sisters are upset with me but some understand. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. And I'd be an idiot to say no. Especially after everything that has happened this year. I survived a car crash. I came out of a coma. I learned to walk and talk again and my fine motor skills and coordination are getting stronger. "You deserve it! You'll still go in Instagram, send us pics. Keep us updated while you travel?"

"Of course. So long as you water my plants and take care of my garden." I smirk.

I kiss my mom and hold her tight. Today's visit was a good visit.

"Love you my sweet boy." Mom kisses my forehead while my eyes are closed and I hug her again. "My sweet Jamie."

 I walk out of my mom's house and close the door behind me, blinking away tears before entering the SUV. Paul is waiting for me in the car since I can't drive.

"All set?" Paul  helps buckle my seatbelt in when my hands won't work. Which tends to happen more when I'm upset. He then keeps his eyes ahead, knowing I'm emotional right now. 

"Yeah." I croak out.

"Sully's for a beer before we go home?" Paul asks without looking at me. He's a good guy. He knows.

"Yeah."

****

While Paul takes me to have a beer he also gives me a refresher course on what is expected as a bodyguard. What to wear. How to act. How to stay silent...something tells me he forgot I was mute for a long time. I know how to stay silent and not ask questions. No matter what. I know that even from the Marriott. Working the 4th floor. Checking in and out celebrities of all kinds. Some looking to hide from fans, some looking to hide from stalkers, some looking to hide while they heal.

"You're gonna do just fine." Paul mumbles before taking a sip of his beer. I watch him perk up a little and stare off to the side. I furrow my brows and follow Paul's glare to see what caught his eye.

We both stare now. No. That's not even possible. There's no way. It doesn't even make sense.

It's like - if you added my father- which you can't because Mac doesn't let Joe in anymore after multiple altercations- but if you could add Joe- It would be like The Last Supper....at the Devil's Table.

"What the hell?"

"Look away, Gallo."

"Jesus Christ. You just need my father sitting there and you would have Hell's trinity." I scoff and take a sip of my beer. My blood boils and I can tell Paul's does as well. 

Because we will always protect the women we love. And I have a feeling Paul and Trisha had a little fling or something going on at one time. Regardless, I think the bodyguard has always had a thing for Trisha. Every guy has a thing for Trisha Banks. And I know Dave Brennan fell off the wagon a long time ago so to see him drinking it up in a bar is no surprise. Piece of shit.

But to see Jeremy Donovan sitting next to him at the same table? It sickens me.

Like I said- just need Joe Gallo over there and you would have the three people I hate the most in this world sitting at that one table.

"How do... how do they even know each other?" I stumble with my whispered words and force myself to look away at the disgusting  waste of space of those two human bodies.

"Fuck if I know. Maybe the Evil congregate once a month to go over notes." Paul finally looks away. He tries to pay my uncle Mac but Natalie won't give Paul the bill.

"Uh-uh." She shakes her head. "Always on us for my cousin Jamie."

"Hey. Do me a favor. Don't go near those two pricks in the back." I say without looking back.

"Really? Why?" Natalie glances over and tightens her ponytail. "The one with the tie and glasses.. he seems real nice. And Dave.. Jamie, didn't you guys live in the same neighborhood when we were little?"

"Natalie. Look at me." Paul says in his low deep voice. "Do NOT associate yourself with either one." His eyes pierce into my cousin making her know he is not kidding around. She gives him a slight nod.

"Yeah.. Ok." She whispers. "But they aren't here to hook up with anyone, I can tell you that much. And my take is, they aren't even friends. The cute one with the tie.. He was laying into Dave. Clearly pissed. He was about to get up and leave but Dave said something that got his attention. Listen. I don't know what it was or even want to know. I want no part in anyone else's shit. All I know is whatever Dave said, got the cute  one to spin back around, glare at him and sit back down."

Paul and I share a look. Neither of us have a clue how they know each other or what Dave would say to intimidate Donovan like that. But they are bad news together. Nothing good can come for that table back there.

Paul is thinking the same thing.

"Finish your beer, Gallo. I wanna head out before I do something stupid." 

I nod in agreement, still holding on to my mug so no one has to help me with it, chug the last few gulps and give Natalie a nod.

"I won't." She reads my mind to not go near them and both Paul and I exit the bar.

"We'll be on a plane in no time. And the girls are both under the same roof and safe." The bodyguard  says in a reassuring way. But we both left the bar feeling uneasy about those two sitting together deep in conversation.

Once outside, Paul looks around  the quiet parking lot before walking up to a random car I don't recognize. I watch him squat down close to the back tire and pull something out of his pock.

He looks around one more time before he flips open the pocket knife and slashes the back tire. My eyes widen as I watch him do it to the other back tire. Shit. He said he wasn't gonna do anything stupid. This is something stupid.

Paul stands up, and nonchalantly walks back to our vehicle.

"I don't know what Donovan drives. Probably that fucking Prius over there. But Brennan. Brennan drives this BMW." Paul hops into the car and once again, helps me with my seatbelt.

"So you just..couldn't resist?" I lift a brow.

"Just sending them a message. A warning." He nods and I just give him a shrug like- 'ok. good enough answer for me'- and we move on like I didn't just witness the bodyguard slashing tires. 

*****

*Trisha*

"There they are. Hot stuff one and two. How'd it go at your mom's house?"  I  throw some food on two more plates and hand the guys dinner. My favorite. Chinese food. Nate  decided to grill  salmon and veggies out on the patio. He really is being overly cautious about his health now. I see all the signs now that I know the truth.

It didn't even dawn on me the last few days when Nate declined his normal cup of coffee in the mornings. He's allowed to have a little caffeine but he's being extra precautious now isn't he? His breakfast consisted of some kind of spinach smoothie. Something that looks like James would order and smelled like grass. I noticed the extra prescriptions and certainly noticed all the extra vitamins. He takes different ones at  different times through out the day. He sets reminders on his phone. He's being hyperfocused. Nothing wrong with that.

But one thing that certainly doesn't go unnoticed lately is the amount of times I catch him with his hand on his chest. Like he gets a shooting pain out of nowhere. Or takes a deep breath and it hurts. I don't  know. I can't explain it. But I notice it. He doesn't think I do and always looks around once the pain is gone to make sure no one saw it. But I see it. I see it all.

 I take my plate of food and sit out on the balcony while Nate grills his food.

"Eating your heart attack I see?" He teases when he looks back at my full plate of heart attack inducing chinese food.

"If you go, I go. Where's Moretti, anyways?" I look around and don't see Julia or the dog. She was here a little while ago.

"She's laying down. Has a headache. Her new meds fucking with her a bit. I'll make sure she eats in a bit."

"They changed up her meds??"

"Yeah. about a week ago, remember?" He raises an eyebrow at me like I should have known this. I don't know what Julia does and doesn't take. I've kinda checked out of that department. Jonah and Casey can handle that shit.

I shrug and begin to eat but stop short when Nate begins to cough.  But not just one little cough. He begins to cough and doesn't stop. Then does something disgusting that he never does. He coughs, leans over the railing and spits.

"Gross, playboy. You good over there??"

"Yeah. Sorry."

"You hate people that spit."

"Again, sorry. I think I inhaled some of the smoke from the grille or something." The grill isn't smoking. He's not making anything greasy. He's making fish and it's on foil. There is no smoke. I put my plate down and study him for a moment.

Nate coughs again and covers his mouth with the back of his hand. That's when I notice it. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and looks down.

"Shit." My eyes widen.

"Get Jonah, Trish."  He looks over at me but I feel frozen. "Trisha.... Get Jonah...."

 I stare at the crimson mark left on his hand. Nate coughs and spits over the railing again. 

 He's spitting blood.