Page 52 of Owen
First time falling head over heels.
First time knowing this feels right.
First time feeling like you met the person who you can imagine spending your life with.
Is that what he meant?
Nah, of course he didn’t.
Did he?
13
OWEN
Following a slightly awkward breakfast at Jade’s, as Gregor’s eyes bore through me like a heated fire poker from across the circular dining table, Mari, Poppy, and I then waved Jade and Gregor off as they jumped into their bus to take them onto base for the rest of the day.
Gregor dropped me a text as soon as he was seated, with a very stern threat ofdon’t fuck this up, then glared at me through the window as they drove off.
I have no intention of fucking anything up with her, but I love how protective he is of his boss and little Poppy. Or maybe he’s just thinking of himself and his job. Either way, it’s sweet of him, and I’ll have to rib him later and let him know howcutehe is being, trying to protect Jade’s heart.
As the bus disappeared out of sight, Mari suggested she come with me so that she could watch Jade and Gregor in action, too.
Buzzing with excitement, we were ready within an hour.
I offered to drive, and Mari and I made the half-hour trip to camp, with Poppy chattering away, buckled into her car seat inthe back of Gregor’s worn-out jeep that feels like it’s going to tip over around every corner. He has really shitty taste in cars, or a shitty budget to rent one. Either way, the jeep is far from ideal or safe to drive a baby around in, and I might just mention that to him when he returns from work later.
I texted Blake before we left the villa, and we met at the gates, then followed her up the two-mile corridor of road, from the guard room up over the hill, where a vast airfield and full working air base came into view.
My mouth dropped open at the enormous space I did not know existed until a week ago. Hundreds of military family homes, a petrol station, supermarket, bars, restaurants, swimming pools, even beaches, and its very own airport; it’s like a village within a village.
Given full access to the briefing before the aerobatic team flew, I couldn’t take my eyes off Jade. Fascinated by her assertiveness, and the way she commanded a room, I listened intently, hanging on to every word she said.
Ever the professional, in the zone and not distracted by my presence or her mom and daughter, she ran through their choreography with precision, making my heart swell with pride, making me want to yell from the top of my lungs,She’s mine.
She’s breathtakingly fierce and fearless; a goddamn goddess.
Obviously sensing how I felt, Mari gave my hand a little squeeze, letting me know she felt the same amount of pride as I did.
When the briefing was over, and the team dispersed, then and only then did she come over to kiss Poppy on the cheek and say hello, informing us she could only spare a few minutes as she had her flight suit to put on.
The moment she gave me a farewell kiss, the infamousCobra appeared in the doorway asking what she would like for lunch, displeasure written all over his face.
Now I know how he got his nickname. I swear he was imagining sinking his prominent fang-like canines into my jugular as his nose flared and jaw twitched. The snake tattoo on his forearm tensed as he clenched his fist by his side.
Oblivious to his obvious dislike of me, or maybe she was aware and choosing to ignore it, Jade introduced me as Gregor’s cousin, blushing, as if desperate to give a label to what we are and inform him we’re a thing, whatever thatthingmight be.
He shook my hand, almost breaking it as he squeezed tightly, but I didn’t flinch, showing him I was unaffected by his strength.
Fuckwit.
Side-eyeing me with disdain, Cobra instructed Jade that she was to stay back after flying today as he had important matters to discuss and that he would personally drop her off at the villa afterward.
Slimy fucker.
She replied, telling him that Blake would also join them, as she had a couple of media ideas she wanted to discuss too.
It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as I thought about her being vulnerable or scared around him, and what I would do to protect her from him.
