Because I’m falling hard and fast for the amazing woman sitting beside me. I want to spend more time with her. Learn everything there is to know about her. Go everywhere and do everything. Together. Share secrets or wake up in the middle of the night and cuddle. I’ve never wanted to call anyone my girlfriend before, but that’s changing fast.
Shit.I’m in big trouble. Because my little English rose is making me want things—wanther—and I mean for more than a night or two. A dangerous thought like that should make me break out in an immediate sweat. Maybe even hives. But instead, I find myself grinning like a fool at absolutely nothing.
“Can’t you just picture Laurent scaling a castle wall?” Brighton chuckles. “As sneaky as he is, he’s also rather dashing. Don’t you think?”
My smile fades. “No,” I state flatly, and everyone laughs.
Chapter Fifteen: Delaney
There’s not much time to do anything except pack and meet at the small, private Denver airport as soon as possible. I climb out of my Vanquish, grab my bag and steel myself for the long flight with Ryder’s friends.
It’s not that I don’t like them. The problem is I do. I barely know them, I certainly don’t trust them, but I like them way more than I thought I would. Or perhaps should. Especially Addie. It didn’t take long for me to feel some strange sort of kinship with the other woman, and I have a feeling we have several things in common. The truth is, I’ve always admired her from afar. She’s strategic, capable. A damn force to be reckoned with. Being able to say she’s my friend…
That would be pretty damn cool.
I spot Ryder’s Lambo, and knowing he’s here already makes it easier for me to walk onto the jet. As soon as I reach it, an attractive woman wearing a worn leather bomber jacket over a tank top with cargo pants and boots comes around the corner of the plane. Her russet-colored hair is up in a ponytail, and she’s peering through mirrored aviators at something on a clipboard.
“You must be Delaney,” she surmises, lowering the paperwork in her hand to her side and tilting her head as she looks at me. “Boy, have I heard a lot about you.” Her mouth curves up as she offers a hand, and I notice the sparkling engagement ring on her finger. A stunning emerald-cut diamond. “I’m Hunter McGrath, Knox’s better half.”
I chuckle and shake her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Can’t say I know many female pilots. That’s a pretty cool profession.”
“The Navy was good to me. Now I fly this crew around and try to keep them out of trouble.”
“I imagine that’s not an easy thing to do.”
“You can say that again.” She nods to the stairs set up against the aircraft. “Go on in. I’m almost done with my pre-flight check.”
“Thanks.” As I climb up the steps and enter the jet, it occurs to me that Hunter is nothing like Knox. She’s former military and seems straightforward and no-nonsense, while he’s a former thief who oozes charm, AKA bullshit.It’s a total opposites attract scenario, and I look forward to seeing their interactions. Even though they’re so different, I have a feeling they’re adorably perfect for each other.
Everyone is already on board and getting situated, chatting away. No one seems nervous. Instead, the atmosphere feels relaxed, yet charged with an excited anticipation—like they’re ready for the challenge awaiting us. The moment Ryder sees me, he motions for me to join him. The others greet me with nods and smiles as I walk down the aisle, making me feel like a part of the group already. Well, except Linc who gives me a half-hearted grunt.I’m going to win that man over,I decide.Eventually—because he’s going to be a tough nut to crack.
“I saved you a seat,” Ryder says with a grin. He takes my duffel bag and stores it while I sit down in the empty leather chair beside him.
“Thank you.” I try not to sound nervous, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. He settles in beside me, and we buckle up. “Hunter seems nice. She said she’s almost done with her flight check.” His arm brushes against mine and it helps settle me. Grounds me.
“She’s a badass fighter pilot. Former Top Gun.”
“Wow. That’s impressive.” I don’t know much about the military, but I’ve seen the movies. Anyone who can fly like that has all my respect and then some. They’re lucky to have her.
Hunter appears a moment later, closing and latching the plane’s door.
“All set, Sparrow?” Knox asks.
“We’re good to go,” she confirms. “Get comfortable, everybody, because flight time is approximately eleven hours and forty-one minutes.”
Linc groans, dropping his head back against the seat and already white-knuckling the armrests. Maybe it’s not my presence making him crabby and, instead, it’s the fact he hates flying. That makes me relax in my seat a little more and reminds me not to judge anyone here too fast.
“Don’t worry, Linc, I’ve got you.” Hunter squeezes his shoulder and then makes her way into the cockpit.
The way Knox watches her, completely fixated on her every move, touching her until she has to pull away, makes my heart squeeze. What would it be like to have a man look at me that way? Like I’m the center of his universe.
I have no idea. But I can’t lie—a part of me would like to know. Sneaking a sideways glance at Ryder, I realize he’s the first man I’ve ever wanted to look at me like that.
It’s not long before we take off, and once we’re at cruising altitude, Hunter tells us we’re free to move around the large cabin. The Bombardier Global 7500 is a long-range business jet designed for non-stop, high-speed travel over long distances, which means this is a direct flight. It’s luxurious and top-of-the-line. Makes me wonder how they can afford it because even with the big paydays they pull in from heists, this beauty costs about eighty mil. I know because Adam Voss has two of them, and I was nosy enoughto look it up. I can’t wrap my head around Hunter owning this jet.
I lean in toward Ryder, keeping my voice low. “Who’s bankrolling this operation?”
“Funny you should ask, because I think we’re about to call him.” He gives me a mysterious smile, and I wonder if it has to do with the very mysterious man I’ve heard mentioned?
