She turned and faced him and the door. Who had been in her apartment? “Yes. Hopefully the police catch whoever did this while we’re gone, and we don’t have to worry when we get back.”
He pressed the button down to the first floor to leave. “We can fly back any time you think you need to be here.”
The doors closed, and they went down. “Sounds perfect, though I’m getting hungry.”
As the doors opened and he guided her out, Galen said, “I’ll have anything you want delivered to the plane.”
Right now, the pampering from Galen was great. They walked out arm-in-arm and she focused on the bright side of her life. “You sound like an amazing prince when you say things like that. All I really want at the moment is an egg sandwich or crackers and cheese. When we get to New Orleans, I’m looking forward to trying your favorite cuisine.”
“Done.” He picked up his phone to order. A moment later he put the phone down and opened the car door. She hopped in and they took back off for the flight.
“I’m excited to get away. I’ve never done this,” she said when they made it to the highway.
He winked. “I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”
If she and Galen truly fell in love, she’d live in a fairy tale. But for now, she needed to be practical and smart and not let the extra things Galen could do blind her.
Neither said anything, but her gaze sharpened, and goosebumps grew on her arms as they drove onto the private airport tarmac. She turned toward Galen. “Is that smoke?”
“Hold on a minute.” Someone in a blue vest ran toward the SUV and Galen slowed to a stop, rolling down his window. “Is the crew safe?”
The man held his chest like he needed to catch his breath from running. “Yes. We’re all accounted for, but your plane fuel is still on fire. You have to clear the area.”
Galen nodded and rolled the window up, turning his car around as his phone beeped with a dozen messages coming in. He glanced at a message, and she noticed the name Rafe Soliz. As they left the gate, he pressed on the gas and put the phone on the bench between them. “Natalie, we need to get you to my house, now.”
Her blood chilled and her skin felt cold. She hugged her waist to get herself in order and narrowed her gaze. “Why?”
Galen glanced in the rearview mirror, then the side mirrors. “The food delivery I ordered for you had a bomb in the package.”
Her lips chattered but she didn’t have time to fall apart. She pressed her hand to her heart and tried to rationalize. The hangar smoked behind them. She turned around in her seat and asked, “I’m so glad the crew is okay.”
Galen headed toward the highway. “Yes, we were lucky, but I think you’re being targeted.”
Her heart began to race. None of this made any sense. She had no money, no possessions, nothing except her family. She swallowed and dug out her cell phone. “Me? Why? I need to check on my parents.”
Galen brushed his hand on her arm and said quietly, “Call them but don’t let them know anything is wrong. We’ll clear security with Rafe and head over to see them.”
Whoever was after her couldn’t go to the hospital. Her parents were focused on her mother beating cancer. They didn’t need to worry about her. Her hands shook while she waited, but finally she heard her dad’s hello. She immediately held her phone to her ear. “Mom. Dad.”
Her mother said, “I thought you were leaving town, sweetie.”
No. She couldn’t tell them. The words bubbled in her throat but wouldn’t come out. Galen switched lanes, his manner calm and determined. She swallowed and then finally said, “Galen and I had a change of plans—hey, I want to bring him to the hospital to meet you today or tomorrow.”
“That sounds wonderful sweetheart,” her mother said. “See you soon.”
If anyone truly wanted to get to her, her parents were the only people she had that she cared about—until Galen. She hung up the phone after goodbyes. “They seem fine.”
He turned off the highway and headed back to his house, but instead of saying anything, he picked up his phone and sent a quick message. He then put the phone down and said, “I texted Rafe to send security to the hospital, just in case.”
First her house. Now the plane. She slumped in the seat as he drove onto his property. “I don’t understand any of this. Why me?”
He hopped out of the SUV and walked around. Perhaps she needed to be at the police station and not leave there until the person was caught. Galen opened her door and held his hand out for her. “I don’t know either, but don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe. My house has every security measure known to man.”
“I trust you Galen.” She accepted his hand. Right now, Galen was her hero. If he kept her parents and her safe until the police sorted this out, she’d do anything for him. He deserved every happiness.
Galen held Natalie delicately by her wrist as they entered his house, then l he locked the door behind him. He placed his other hand on her lower back and guided her into his living room.
The fire in his hangar seared in his mind. He swallowed and thanked God that Natalie was safe and here with him. Near the couch he said, “Let’s get you settled.”
