As if in answer, Addie gets up. She stretches a little, then turns toward our row of seats. “Ryder, can you connect us?”
“Sure thing.” He reaches for his laptop and, while he works, he tells me a little more. “The Man is our mysterious benefactor. He has a lot of connections and bankrolls our operations.”
A frown creases my forehead as I watch him tap away. “You really have no idea who this person is? And you trust him anyway?” I can’t believe what I’m hearing. This group seems way too smart for that. “Why?”
He pauses and looks over at me. “Because Addie’s mom told us to, and he’s never been wrong about anything. It’s almost like…”
“What?”
“Like he’s watching over us. Protecting us.”
Hmmm.As nice as that sounds, there’s no way I could do the same. Maybe there’s safety in numbers for them, but not knowing his identity makes me extremely wary. What’s the big secret? And how are we going to have aconference call with him and not see him? Unless he keeps his camera off. The whole thing is so weird to me.
Once Ryder has his laptop connected to a large screen on the wall, everyone gathers closer, and he initiates the call. After two rings, The Man answers. His blurred face fills the screen and when he speaks, his true voice is disguised.
“Hello, everyone,” he greets, his tone tinny and mechanical-sounding. Below his neck, his chest and shoulders are clear, upper arm muscles straining against a fitted, black T-shirt. Broad and strong-looking, so it’s not a woman.
No, whoever this is, it’s definitely a man. No doubt about it. While Addie fills him in on why we’re heading to Argentina, I squint, trying hard to spot some telltale clue to his identity, but there’s nothing. He’s extremely careful, which makes me think someone here could possibly identify him.
He obviously catches on to me because he directs his next comment straight my way. “Sorry, Miss Diamond, but there’s no point in trying to discern my identity. We’ve not met.”
He knows me!“Are you sure about that?” I challenge.Something about him…
For a moment he doesn’t say anything. “I’m sure,” he finally states.
“How did you know my name?” I press.
“I know a lot. And your reputation precedes you.”
“So I’ve heard,” I mutter.
That’s hardly an answer, and I want to keep grilling him, but Addie deftly turns the conversation back to the mission. I’m not sure why he seems vaguely familiar considering I can’t see his face or even hear his real voice, but it’s a gut feeling. A feeling that maybe we’ve run into each other before. My instincts are good, and I’ve learned to never discount my gut, so I decide to file this away until later.
“I have news of Adam Voss,” The Man announces, and I sit up straighter. “He believes you have the Phantom Orchid, Miss Diamond, and he’s not happy.”
I tilt my chin up stubbornly. Totally defiant. “He’s not getting it.”
“Fair enough, but be aware he’s sending his mercs after you.”
Knox and Linc each let out a curse, Brighton’s face screws up in a frown and Addie crosses her arms. The last thing I want to do is put any of them in danger. “If you decide not to work with me, I understand,” I murmur quietly.
Ryder looks at me, his handsome face lined with concern. “If they’re coming after you, they’ll have to get through me,” he growls, voice so firm and unwavering it makes my chest tighten. Hearing him stick up for me like that…
God, I want to cover him with kisses.
“They’ll have to get through all of us,” Addie declares, and Brighton, Knox and Linc nod in agreement. “You might’ve been our rival, but things have changed. If Ryder vouches for you, then you have our protection and loyalty. I only hope it’s returned.”
Emotion swells inside me. I haven’t had any kind of family since my dad passed away. The fact that this group is willing to go out on a limb for me, someone they barely know, makes the back of my eyes sting with unshed tears. “It is,” I promise. My attention shifts to Ryder and he gives me a reassuring smile.
“We’ve got you, Delaney,” he murmurs. “I’vegot you.”
I know traveling down here and seeing his dad and stepmom isn’t going to be easy for him because of their lack of a relationship. But he’s doing it anyway. Maybe just for the rest of the diamond, sure. But a tiny part of me thinks it may be for me. Is it silly to think so? Perhaps. But I can’t help but hope it’s true.
The call wraps up while I’m lost in my thoughts, the click of Ryder’s laptop closing bringing me back to my current reality. I’m on my way to hopefully fulfilling my father’s greatest dream. Secure his legacy. And I’m not alone while I’m doing it.
As Knox disappears into the cockpit to sit with Hunter, Ryder sets his laptop aside and turns to me. “Want a tour of the jet?”
He extends his hand and I place mine in his, allowing him to pull me up. “Sure.” He tugs me down the aisle, pastknowing eyes, and the moment we disappear in the back section of the plane, he pins me against the nearest wall and kisses the holy hell out of me.
