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“Fuck, I hate you,” he grits out.“Just be careful, okay.”
“I will, and ...I love you too,” I say, ending the call.
Swiftly, I tap out a message to Aerin, a simple reminder that I love her and will be back, before hitting send.
ChapterEleven
Greyson
The sun is high overhead,casting harsh shadows on the gleaming exterior of the plane as we await the mechanic’s final adjustments.The sharp scent of jet fuel saturates the midday air.
“Seriously, Grey,” Aerin lashes out, her voice sharp enough to cut through the humid atmosphere, “you send him off on a dangerous mission with an ‘I hate you?’That’s not how we do things.”
She’s never sent him off on a mission.San and I made sure that she didn’t learn about The Organization or his missions.Of course, this isn’t the time to explain to her how I used to send him away.That’s a story for another day.Once there’s no danger and the dust of our reunion settles in, we’ll discuss our past.
Seconds later, the pilot signals us that it’s safe to board.The surrounding agents spring to life, their movements precise and coordinated.
Aerin seems slightly upset with me, so I say, “I didn’t send him anywhere.”My voice is a hoarse echo as we begin to board the plane.“If it was up to me, I would ask him to stay.Sanford is going because he’s a control freak.Sure, he’s one of the best snipers we have, but there are others.He could’ve stayed with you.”
“So you don’t have to?”she asks, there’s a challenge in her voice.
“Ae, I’m a train wreck.An addict.Why on earth would I wish someone like me upon you?”My confession splits the midday silence, a cry of anguish that sends a flock of nearby birds into a startled flight.
Suddenly, a sharp curse shatters our fragile peace.“Fuck.Get down.”
Instinct takes over.Wrapping my arms around Aerin, shielding her with my body, I roll us onto the floor of the plane.
“What’s happening?”The tremor in Aerin’s voice echoes through the center of the aircraft.
“We’re okay,” I assure her, pulling her closer to my chest.
Just as my words hang in the air, the shrill ring of my phone cuts through the hush.It’s Grace.“Bad timing, Grace,” I mutter, fighting to keep my voice steady against the tension knotting my stomach.
“Are they okay?”A gruff voice rumbles through the other end of the line, Sanford’s growl is unmistakable.
“The agents said they’re fine,” a male voice confirms.
“We just want to make sure you’re okay.”Grace’s soft voice tumbles out in response.“Sanford is losing his everfucking mind.”
“We are fine,” I manage.My other arm tightens around Aerin, the warmth of her against me.“What happened?”
“Someone tried to attack the plane.One of the agents who went to Bill Hill’s place had a tail,” Grace explains, casually.However, the gravity of her words sink into my gut.“The threat has been neutralized, but they’re securing the area before you can leave.”
“Luna Harbor.”San’s voice comes through the speaker, as gruff and unyielding as a gravel road.“We’ll drive to Finn’s airstrip and fly from there.”
The line crackles again, and I hear San’s voice, the previous gruffness replaced with a softer tone.“Babe, are you two okay?How’s Aerin?”
“We’re fine, she’s slightly shaken,” I respond, my voice barely above a whisper.
“No.We’re not fine,” Aerin mutters against my chest, her words absorbed by the fabric of my shirt as she burrows closer.
“They’re going to transport you to a different location.I’ll meet you there,” he assures us over the line.“You’ll be fine, I swear.”
“Yeah,” is my only response as I press a soft kiss into Aerin’s hair.The soothing scent of her shampoo, a blend of jasmine and the warmth of a summer’s day wraps around me, soothing the fear.
“We’re flying to Luna Harbor and staying there until this is over,” he continues, and I’m not crazy about his suggestion.
The place is great, but I can’t see myself spending more than a day before I’m restless.I have to go somewhere where I can work and pretend that life is normal.
