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Inside the package were laminated tickets and passes. Tristan was grinning like a boy who had just learned that school was canceled.
“I appreciate you flying to London to handle that business on such short notice,” Pierce said. “I know how you hate to see your family. Consider this my thanks.”
“Was it business related to your next venture?” I asked.
Pierce wagged a finger at me. “No work talk at the dinner table. This is a celebration.”
“You have outdone yourself, Pierce,” Tristan said. “I am forever in your debt.”
“I’d consider it the opposite. I owe you more than I could ever explain.” Pierce smiled around the table. “That’s the itinerary for the next two weeks. After that, I only have a few minor items on my calendar. We can decide what trouble to get into then. Oh, here’s my cheeseburger. You’re a saint, Alejandro.”
He definitely takes care of the people around him, I thought while Pierce dug into his second burger. I can see why everyone loves him so much.
30
Melinda
Flying on a private plane was a lot more luxurious than a private helicopter. And that was saying something. I pressed my face against the glass and watched the clouds drift by beneath me, then turned back to the couch I was relaxing on. I was used to flying commercial, crammed into seats like Vienna sausages. On a private plane, I had so much room to walk around!
“Oh, it’s not mine,” Pierce told me when I asked about it. “I just rent it whenever I need a ride. I prefer to travel on the Bellerophon.”
“How modest of you,” I teased.
Pierce glared at me playfully, then went back to typing on his laptop.
We landed at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, which was fifteen kilometers outside the city. Then we took private cars into Monaco—we needed two vehicles to fit the four of us, plus Linda the head of security and an extra bodyguard.
“No helicopter?” I asked. “Wow, we really are slumming it this trip.”
Pierce smiled smugly. “Get your jokes in now. You won’t think we’re slumming it when we arrive.”
He was right. We were staying in a private apartment overlooking the start and finish of the Monaco Grand Prix. There were hundreds, if not thousands, of fans milling around below us during the pre-race events. And beyond that was the picturesque Monaco Hercules Harbour, which was currently filled with yachts of every size and cost.
“It’s too bad this was a last-minute trip, or we could have sailed the Bellerophon here,” Pierce told me as we enjoyed the view. The warm Mediterranean breeze ruffled his hair. “It’s on the way, but won’t arrive for several more days.”
“Too bad,” I agreed. “You know, when I first signed the contract, I thought it was ridiculously arrogant to name your ship the Bellerophon.”
He blinked in confusion at me. “Arrogant?”
“Bellerophon was a hero in Greek mythology. He was a slayer of monsters. I thought you were just another cocky tech-bro for naming your ship after him.”
Pierce chuckled and shook his head. “That’s not what it means.”
“I looked it up!” I argued. “Don’t make me pull up Wikipedia.”
“I’m not disputing that.” He turned to face me, leaning on the concrete railing. “But the HMS Bellerophon was also the name of the ship where Napoleon surrendered to the English in 1815. I chose that name for my yacht as a reminder that all great men can fall. That a man cannot simply coast along with his past victories. Every time I set foot on my ship, I think about how it will become a prison if I get complacent in life.”
Someone in the apartment called for Pierce, and he excused himself to go speak to them. I watched him go and thought about what he had said. A quick search of my phone confirmed everything. I felt embarrassed for assuming the worst.
He’s not like the other billionaires, I thought. He’s nothing like what I expected.
While we waited for the race to start, I called my mom and told her where I was. “I’m not joking! Yes, the famous one. I’ll send you a photo.”
“I guess that makes up for missing the wedding shower.”
I winced. I had forgotten that was this weekend. “I know I’m missing a lot. But I’ll be there for the wedding. That’s what matters most.”
“Don’t tell me,” Mom replied. “You should call Carly and let her know. I think she’s upset you haven’t talked to her more.”
