Page 50 of Rafe

“Seattle. Port Townsend.” Skylar’s stomach sank as she remembered she’d locked her new emergency credit card in her safe in her hotel room along with her passport and driver’s license. Though she’d kept a picture of her license on her phone, she hadn’t yet entered her new card number into her digital wallet.

“Bad day?”

“You could say that. Today was a disaster. Not just today but this entire week. I’m just about done.” She shook her head in frustration.

“Well, consider yourself lucky. I just happen to be going to Seattle this morning as well. Early flight.”

“Wait.” Suspicious of the driver, panic wracked through her. “You’re my ride share, right?”

“Oh forgive me. I’m not your driver.”

“But no. I checked the license plate.” Skylar inwardly cringed. “Please tell me I didn’t get into a stranger’s car?”

“It’s no worry, I assure you,” he told her.

“But you’re a stranger. And I got in your car. And you just started driving me to the airport? Oh my God, pull over. There’s a casino up there on the right.”

“It’s not a problem at all. I was on my way to the airport anyway.”

“Why were you at the gas station? I really think you should pull over.” She glanced to her door and considered if she’d survive jumping out of his car.

“I was about to fill up my car with gas, but I was going to the airport anyway so⁠—”

“You let a stranger jump in your car?”

“We are no longer strangers. I’m headed that way anyway. I’m flying private, of course, so it’s not a problem. See we’re pretty much here.” He pointed to the airport sign.

Skylar shook her head, inwardly admonishing herself for not checking the entire license plate. “You literally just picked up a stranger on your way to the airport?”

“I just told you. We’re not strangers now. We’re just two people who both need to get to Seattle. I also have a private jet. It’s no worry at all. My crew is waiting. Shelby always prepares an amazing breakfast.”

“I can’t possibly.” Desperate times called for desperate measures. Maybe her luck was finally changing. She could be home within hours. Safe. Far, far away from Vegas and vampires. Far away from Rafe. “You’re sure?”

“It will be nice to have the company. Truly.”

“You have family in Seattle?” she probed, still unsure of trusting him.

“I guess you could say that. My brother’s here on the coast. We’re going to meet up soon.” The driver turned onto the highway exit as planes soared overhead. “It’s not too late. I can still take you to the main airport if you’d feel more comfortable.”

“Would I like to spend the next few hours arguing with my credit card company and having to find a flight out?” Skylar sighed. “You’re sure it’s not a problem?”

“Not at all. Please don’t take this the wrong way but it’s dangerous out here this early in the morning. It’s your choice, of course, but let me assure you that flying on a private jet doesn’t suck. It’s not a problem at all for you to come with us to Seattle. I’ll consider it my good deed for the day. I could use the karma.”

“You’ve got a pilot, right? You’re not flying it yourself? No offense.” Skylar didn’t want to be rude but given all she’d been through, she owed it to herself to ask.

“None taken. And yes, I have a very skilled pilot and a flight attendant.”

Skylar considered his tempting offer. She reasoned she’d be safe as long as she verified the flight route at the private airstrip before she ever got on the jet. “Okay, yes, thanks. That would be very kind of you.”

“Ah, very good then. Here we go. We should be in the air within the hour. We’ll give my pilot your name when we get there. We need to make sure all souls are accounted for and whatnot. Rules are rules.”

“My name’s Skylar. Skylar Hemlock.” She inwardly laughed, embarrassed she’d entered the car of a stranger. “I take it you’re not Kyle.”

“I’m afraid not. Though I’m sure Kyle’s very disappointed you weren’t there.”

“That’s debatable.”

“Nice to meet you Skylar. My name’s Sebastian.”