Page 61 of Protecting Salvation

“Maybe. But I’m her best shot. If I fly from here you can have Watchdog track us both and meet us on the ground.”

“And if you crash because you pass out or your vision goes?”

“If I die trying to save the woman I love then I’m fine with that. I won’t live without her so don’t ask me to. You’d do the same. Any of you would.”

The room fell silent and he knew he’d struck a chord, but they didn’t like it. “I love her and I have to try.”

“You should let him go.” Snow stepped up beside him and Bás glared at her but then Val did the same.

“You’d do it, Niall.”

“Fuck’s sake. Fine.”

“I’m going with him.”

“Me too.”

Lotus stepped up beside him and so did Titan.

“No.”

“Boss man, I’m going. He needs someone with him and I don’t have someone waiting for me.”

“You have us, Lotus.”

She smiled sadly. “Not the same and you know it.”

“Fine but if any of you die, you’re all fucking fired.”

“Absolutely, boss man.”

“Bein, you know what to do.”

Bein was already running toward the large barn at the back of the property because, of course, Bás had a helicopter on site. Everyone had laughed when he’d bought it but now he’d never been happier to be proven wrong. Lotus handed him equipment, including comms and a weapon as Bein pulled the chopper out using a tractor. The helicopter was set on a trailer which made it easy to hook up.

In no time he was flicking the controls and hearing the familiar whirring of the blades. It was like coming home, but he’d give up all of it to have Peyton safe. Lotus and Titan buckled in and they were lifting off. His vision wasn’t perfect but he was okay as he turned the chopper and headed out following Bás’ directions in his ear.

“We’ll meet you at the location. Watchdog is staying on-site to coordinate.”

“Roger that.”

As he flew over familiar views of mountains and fields of green and gold he saw beauty everywhere and yet his heart was breaking and the guilt and panic clawing at him were like the blades of a blunt knife.

He’d get her back safe and he was never letting her go and if it took his entire life to get her forgiveness, he’d gladly sacrifice every second of it. Peyton was everything to him and he just hated that she didn’t know it.

“She’s smart. She knows you’ll figure it out and come after her,” Titan spoke trying to bolster him, but Lotus just looked out the window.

“Does she know that? After today I doubt she does.”

Lotus swung her head to him from the co-pilot’s chair. “Why were you such a dick today?”

Her arms were folded, her expression fierce. She might have his back but she was pissed as hell and he was sorry he’d disappointed his friend but happy that Peyton had a friend like Lotus. She was loyal and would fight a lion barehanded to keep those she loved safe.

“She asked about my health.”

“What? Are you fucking kidding me? She asked about your health and you froze her out?”

“I’m having surgery tomorrow and it’s risky. I didn’t want her to know and I panicked.”

“You panicked?”

“Yes, Lotus, I fucking panicked. I have more to live for now than ever in my life. I might die tomorrow and never get to see the woman I love with a child we share or hold her hand as we watch our grandchildren and it fucking guts me. So when she asked I was a dick and I regret that more than you’ll ever know.”

“Well, good.”

“Good? Is that what you have to say to me?”

“What do you want? A big dance number?”

“Fucking hell.”

He shook his head but Lotus smiled. That was it. As far as she was concerned all was forgiven. He just hoped he got to do the same with Peyton, otherwise, he might as well be dead.