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My heart thumps as I stand at the foot of the steps, flanked either side by the men I trust with my life. The men I love so much it hurts, and the men I know I must turn my back on for my own sanity.
Ryder nods to the woman who heads down the steps to greet us. She smiles warmly.
“Miss. Rogers, right on time, I see. Come, let me settle you in for the flight.”
I feel the panic clawing at me inside and Ryder takes my hand and squeezes it.
“You’ll be ok, darlin’. Sam wouldn’t send you anywhere that wasn’t the best place for you. Leave this shit behind and take some time to recover.”
Snake throws me an unusually gentle look. “Be happy, Kitty. You deserve it after the life you’ve led. It’s all we want for you - it’s all we ever have.”
The tears spill before I can reason with them. One by one, the two men hug me close and give me the courage to walk away.
The stewardess looks at me kindly and I see the concern in her eyes as I sniff and wipe my tears away. Then I smile with a bravery that deserted me many hours ago and turn to the two magnificent men sending me on my way.
I shrug and try to laugh softly.
“Thanks, guys. ‘Thanks’ just doesn’t seem good enough to tell you how much I owe you both.
I turn to Snake and hug him so tightly it must hurt. Not that he would notice - his muscles are like the steel that Sam sells.
Choking back my emotion, I smile through water-filled eyes. “I owe you everything, Snake. You saved me from Hell and brought me to Heaven. I’ll never forget what you did for me and of anyone you hold the dearest place in my heart. Bonnie’s a lucky girl to have won yours.”
He says nothing, but he doesn’t need to. It’s all there in his eyes.
I turn to Ryder and hug him just as tightly. I choke down the pain of the past and smile. “Thank you, Ryder. You gave me a place to call home and a man to love - even in the fucked up twisted way we did. I’m glad you found Ashton, you deserve someone who can pierce that cold heart and let some life in. Take care of her because you won’t want to lose it that much I do know.”
He pulls me close and whispers, “Be happy, Kitty. Remember, you’re family and will always have a place with us. If you need anything, call me, any time, night, or day.”
He pulls back and I see his hard eyes glittering in the light of the dawn. He smiles gently, which is something I rarely see and it mesmerizes me. “Sam is one lucky bastard and don’t ever let him forget that.”
I wink as I turn away. “I won’t, but then again, I’m the lucky one in all this. He has made my dreams come true, and a girl can’t ask more than that. Now get out of here before your hard image is shattered forever and get back to the women who have to put up with you - god help them.”
I smile at the stewardess and with determination in my step and hope in my heart, I walk up the stairs to the unknown feeling like the luckiest girl alive.
* * *
The flight must have takena good five hours, but it passed in a flash. Melissa, the stewardess couldn’t have been kinder and showed me to a comfortable bedroom where fresh clothes were laid out on a comfortable looking bed.
As I changed, she made me a hot, sweet tea, which I sipped gratefully before settling down for the best few hours’ sleep of my life. There were no nightmares to cloud my mind, just peace, and contentment.
She woke me an hour from landing and served me a delicious breakfast of eggs, bacon, and pancakes. As I sipped the coffee, I looked at her thoughtfully. “I never asked, where are we heading?”
She smiled secretively. “You’ll soon find out. I’m sorry for the mystery, but I’m under strict instructions.”
I smile, but the curiosity has taken hold and I sit back and run through every possible scenario in my mind.
The clothes I changed into when I woke are casual jeans and a loose-fitting t-shirt. There’s a casual jacket and sneakers, so I know it’s not anywhere smart.
I’m grateful for that, at least.
* * *
By the time we land,I’m none the wiser. Melissa smiles with encouragement as the aircraft taxis to a stop and she opens the door. Smiling, she nods toward the exit. “Your ride is waiting for you, Katherine. I hope you enjoy your stay.”
After thanking her for everything she’s done, I venture outside and blink as the hot sun blinds me momentarily. As soon as my eyes adjust, I see a similar airfield to the one we left in Washington and at the foot of the steps sits a pickup truck.
An older man is waiting and nods to me respectfully. As I take it all in, I laugh to myself. Of course, I should have known.
