Across the aisle Grant huffed. “Sunshine, your level of sarcasm could cripple a charging elephant, and if the voices have taken over, it means we shouldallbe fucking worried.”
“Elephants are smarter than people, dumbass, and they recognize a threat when they see it. Also, stop calling me sunshine, dickhead.”
“Yeah, shut the fuck up, buttnut. Tick her off enough and she’ll probably crash the plane.” No sooner had the words come out of Cody’s mouth when the jet hit a pocket of turbulence.
Uncomfortable with flying, Davis planted a white-knuckled death grip on the arm rest.
“Don’t worry,” Gray said, wrestling his hand free and pulling it into her lap. “Even if the wing fell off, Chase would still land this beast.”
“Yeah, nose-first in a cornfield.” Reclined in his seat, eyes closed and hands behind his head, Cody didn’t appear to be exhibiting any real concerns about face-planting at six hundred miles per hour.
“Not helping, asshole.” Gray refocused her attention on Davis who’d turned the color of a blanched potato. “Don’t worry about it, kiddo. Trust me, Chase won’t let anything happen to us.”
“Jesus,” Cody grumbled, rolling his head in Gray’s direction and cracking one eye open. “You sound just like him.”
“I do not!”
“Yeah, you do,” Jay added without looking up from his laptop. “That’s exactly what Chase would say.
“Whatever,” she replied as another bump rattled the plane. “The point is—everything’s fine, motherfuckers.”
Despite his nervousness, Davis grinned. “Now you sound like Z.”
Gray’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t make me hurt you, Nader.”
Deciding now would be a good time to go check on Eve, Adam stood and pointed a finger at his sister. “Don’t dismember anyone until I get back.”
“Is that an order?” she yelled at his back, and multiple snorts followed him as he made his way to the front of the plane.
When he reached the bathroom, he knocked, entered at Eve’s invitation, and found her half dressed in proper fitting yoga pants and a matching sports bra. The stretchy black fabric hugged her curves in all the right places, and his already raging libido jumped into overdrive as he shut the door behind him.
Didn’t take him long to figure out, however, that joining the mile-high club wasn’t what she had on her mind. Head down and hands braced against the counter, she didn’t lift her gaze to meet his in the mirror as he slipped his arms around her waist. “Out with it, princess. What’s bothering you?”
“Nothing,” she lied. “I’m fine.” She straightened and leaned against his chest, nestling the back of her head under his chin, and laying her forearms over his.
Yeah. She wasn’t fine. Not even close. Today would be difficult. Facing the Matthews triggering. He’d keep her from it if he could, but he knew better than to suggest she stay in Montana while he went to LA. No way in hell she would have stayed behind.
She needed to be a part of the mission. Needed the closure. Needed to know she’d done all she could for the Matthews’ victims. But he needed her to understand something else as well. “You’re coming back with me tonight. After we get the situation sorted and the Matthews into custody, you’re coming with me to the lodge and staying put until the killer is caught, and we’re sure it’s safe.”
“Adam—”
“No.” He cut off her protest, and raising an arm, he cupped her jaw and lifted her chin. “Look at me.” He waited for her eyes to meet his in the mirror. “You’re not leaving my side. Not tonight. Understood?”
Defiance stiffened her spine, and his hold on her waist tightened.
He waited while she searched the depths of his eyes, measuring his resolve. Despite the fact he couldn’t let her go, when it came to her safety, she’d promised to obey, and he intended to see to it she did.
Yes, they had a list of potential suspects, but no way to identify the murderer until the judge gave them a name, or they found some incriminating evidence on site. With a three-hour window to get in, secure the Matthews, find the CCTV, and get out again without being detected, there wouldn’t be enough time to get the bastard who’d been doing the judge’s dirty work.
While the JTT would ensure the LAPD had the evidence necessary for making an arrest, the police department was underfunded and understaffed. There’d be delays in executing a warrant and getting the perpetrator into custody.
No fucking way would Adam take any chances. Not when it came to Eve.
She belonged to him.
And apparently, she was due for a reminder.
Tugging gently on her braided hair, he dipped his head and lowered his lips next to her ear. “If you recall, you promised to obey.”
