“I wouldn’t have brokered the fucking deal if I didn’t,” Bobby said.
Kane said, “From what I’ve heard, Hunter’s been told to go underground and stay gone if he knows what’s good for him. How did you get him to agree to a meeting?
“Wasn’t easy. I went through a couple dozen names to get him to bite with no luck until I tried a long shot,” Bobby said.
“A long shot person to get him to agree to a meeting?” Lachlan frowned. “You didn’t tell him that Britt was alive, did you?”
“Didn’t need to,” Bobby said.
“So, whose name got us in the door?” Lachlan asked.
Bobby said, “Yours.”
Chapter 31
“You’re awfully quiet over there.” Britt rested against the smooth leather seat of the Pilatus PC-24 jet, fiddling with the seatbelt strap as she glanced at Lachlan. The cabin’s quiet hum vibrated under her fingertips on the armrest. Bright digital screens glowed across the sleek instrument panel. She’d always preferred the exclusive, effortless luxury of a Pilatus over the Gulfstreams, Bombardiers, and Learjets. A glimmering sanctuary of polished wood trim, plush seating fit for a penthouse lounge, and whisper-quiet engines made the island hopping infinitely more comfortable.
She rested a hand against her mouth, wondering where the thoughts had come from. Although she supposed this wasn’t her first flight with Lachlan. Maybe she’d flown with him dozens of times on this private jet, which would explain why she felt so comfortable here.
Lachlan didn’t respond as he flicked several levers and punched a few more buttons. They’d reached flying altitude above the clouds. There wasn’t much he needed to do for the next twenty minutes until it was time to land on St. Basil.
Britt tried again. “I thought you would’ve put up more of a fight about me coming with you to talk to Hunter Quaid.”
Lachlan turned to her. His amber eyes smoldered as he studied her face for a long moment. “Would it have mattered if I explained how dangerous it is for you to be seen by any member of Quattro specifically because you’re the presumed dead daughter of their now-dead former leader? Especially since we have no clue who can and can’t be trusted in the gang. Hunter could be The Visitor?—”
“He’s not. Hunter would never hurt me,” Britt said, then clamped her mouth shut.
“So you did recognize the name when Bobby mentioned him.” It was a statement, not a question.
Britt looked at her hands, trying to make sense of the memory that had crashed into her mind. There were no images, just a conversation running through her head. No matter how much she tried, she couldn’t picture where she was, but she knew she was talking to her father—Titus Freeman.
“Why him?” he’d asked.
“He was trained by the best. We know him. He’s like family. No, he is family. The only kind that counts. I trust him with my life, but more importantly, I trust him with yours.” She’d given the answer rattling in her heart.
“He’s so fucking young?—”
“We’re the same age. That hasn’t stopped you from?—”
“Point taken.”
“Fine. It’s your choice. But if you don’t want him to protect you, then I’ll take him. He can protect me.”
“Alejandro ain’t going to like that shit.”
“Alejandro don’t run shit around here.”
“Touche.” He chuckled. “But don’t tell him that.”
“I’m leaving. Let me know what you decide.”
“Hey.” His hand rested against her arm. The warmth comforted and soothed her. “I’ll take him. Tell him he’s been reassigned.”
Britt clenched her eyes. The conversation was as clear as it was confusing. She knew the person they were talking about was Hunter Quaid, even if he was never mentioned. She had no memory of what he looked like. If she didn’t have those answers, how could she explain it to Lachlan?
Lachlan’s words broke through her thoughts. Thoughts she’d lost herself in for almost fifteen minutes as he waited. “Were you going to tell me you remembered Hunter Quaid?” He asked. His mouth settled into a tight line as his jaw muscle jumped. He gripped the controls tighter, his knuckles whitening from the force.
Britt bit her lip, barely able to contain her delight from the tell-tale signs of … jealousy. Not that Lachlan had any reason to be. He was the only man she wanted, even if he was keeping secrets of his own from her.
