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“No. I want to meet Ashton and Mason.” I blink my eyes open as I fight the fatigue.
Finally opening them fully, I see Ghost’s face so close to me from the side. He has already gotten out of the car and come around to my door, and I didn’t hear a thing. That concerns me because I should be on alert.
“There she is. My bright eyes,” he says, his thumb running down my cheek. I’ll never get over how lucky I am to wake up to this man in front of me. Besides how ridiculously hot he is, it’s more the love he has inside him that is protected and saved all for me. That love is explosive in the way he looks at me.
His lips, soft and tender, take mine. What a way to wake up.
“I could have carried you asleep to the plane, but we both know you hate missing out on anything, that’s why I woke you.” He thinks he’s funny, and I smile at him, giving him the acknowledgment he’s after. We need the humor, and one thing you can guarantee is that Ghost always knows what I need and when I need it.
“Says the man who spies on people for a living. Or because he thinks he needs to. Pretty sure you aren’t missing out on anything in people’s lives either.”
“Touché, beautiful, touché. Now, time to walk to the plane. You okay with your balance after the headache?”
To be honest, I have no idea. Taking it slowly, I turn and slide my feet to the ground. My confidence has been shaken since the seizure. I was trying to keep up a strong front with the kids, but now that it’s just the two of us, I’ve dropped my guard. Not sure I have enough energy to keep it up. Ghost doesn’t want that anyway. He wants everything on the table, and I’m trying.
His arm slips around my waist as we walk toward the plane. I see the two men standing at the bottom of the stairs. A face I wasn’t expecting to see but one I know so well.
“Badger, I didn’t know you were coming.” I reach out to hug the man who has played such a pivotal role in how my life has turned out.
“Neither did I,” I hear Ghost’s growl behind me.
“You think I was missing out on a chance to get my arms around this little spitfire?” I can feel Badger’s deep laugh rumbling in his chest as he squeezes me tightly.
“If you want to keep those arms, I suggest you remove them from MY wife!” Possessiveness is crystal clear in Ghost’s voice.
“Oh, a little touchy, isn’t he.” Badger kisses me on the cheek as he releases me. “How you feeling, darlin’?”
Ghost pulls me back to his side instantly the moment Badger lets me go. The two of them might be close, but we all know what Ghost is like. Hence why they like to push his buttons.
“I’m fine,” I say out of habit, even though I’m far from it.
“I doubt it, but yep, let’s go with that.” His eyes are full of compassion.
“Am I allowed to hug her? Just checking because I like my hands too!” The man I’m guessing is Ashton steps toward me.
“Once, and then never again. Got it?” Wow, my husband really is laying the ground rules today, isn’t he. Secretly I’m loving the caveman vibe. I guess he hasn’t ever had to share me with anyone, so this is all new to him. “Cassie, meet Ashton.” His voice is almost a growl.
Ignoring my husband, I step out of his arms and into Ashton’s. This man is responsible for keeping my man sane while we are trapped up in the mountains, and he’s also the one who is in charge of getting me to Chicago and back without a hiccup.
“Hi, Ashton, nice to put a face to the name.” Ghost always thought it was better they didn’t see me, and I didn’t see them either. He thought keeping his two worlds apart was safer. Now his two worlds are colliding, and I can see why it’s rocking him to the core.
“Likewise, Cassie.” What is it about these men? They’re built big and tough, but when they hug me, it’s like they’re big teddy bears.
“Thank you,” I whisper, and he gives me an extra little squeeze, acknowledging what I’m saying. I can’t say it out loud, but I want him to know how much I appreciate him having Ghost’s back, at a time where he is really struggling. My man who never relies on anyone is having to let his walls down too, and it’s hard for him. I can see the strain in his face. Control is his life, and not to have complete control of this is almost killing him.
“Enough.” His stern voice from behind me makes me giggle as I pull away.
“Down, boy. See this ring?” I say, pointing to my wedding band on my left hand. “Says I belong with you.” The guys are now roaring with laughter, and Ghost gives me that look I normally get right before he chases me through the house to trap me and kiss the hell out of me and stake his claim on me.
“Damn right it does. Remember that, gentlemen.” His eyes are telling them more than his words are.
“Okay, well, as much as this is cute and all, we need to get moving. Ghost, take Cassie in, and we’ll get your bags while you meet Mason and settle into your seats.” Badger slaps him on the back, and the guys are moving to the back of the car to unload our bags. Ghost’s hand is now on my lower back as he guides me carefully up the stairs.
“I might be weak, but I’m not made of glass.” I’m already feeling frustrated at not being trusted to move on my own.
“Don’t care,” is all I get in reply, and I just keep moving. Not worth the argument.
Stepping into the cabin, the captain comes out of the cockpit toward us. Damn, to be a part of this group, is it a prerequisite you have to have abs that are ripped like a god, arm muscles that bulge in any shirt, and to be strikingly tall, so they give that instant look of power the moment they stand in front of you? I will never voice any of this to Ghost, but man, wait until I can call Asha. We will be debriefing about these men that she didn’t warn me not to drool too much over. It doesn’t matter that they are nothing compared to my husband, but it’s still okay to appreciate fine specimens. I’m not dead yet.
