Bonus Scene Hunter
The group’s pace slows as we approach the absolutely massive airplane on the tarmac.
We didn’t have to go through security or deal with any of the usual airport hassle.
Spence has chartered a converted commercial airliner to serve as our private plane for the next two weeks.
He made sure to inform both cohorts that there are separate bedrooms on the plane.
A luxe feature I’m especially grateful for, considering my best friend’s sexual appetite is as voracious as my own.
I catch Joey’s gaze as we gather around the steps at the base of the plane. She grins at me, then side-eyes Decker with a bemused smirk.
“It’s an exceptional offer,” Spence says, adjusting his shoulder bag higher as we all circle up. The door to the plane isn’t open yet, which we expected.
Kylian insisted we arrive early, despite Spence assuring him the plane would not be ready for us to board until ten a.m.
Spence rarely concedes in a battle of wills. Kylian is one of the few people he’ll make an exception for, apparently.
“It’s not happening,” Decker counters. His dark eyes are cold and hard set as he crosses his arms in front of his chest.
Kendrick whistles low, taking in the massive airplane in front of us.
“Didn't know they made them this big,” Kylian says appreciatively.
“I second that,” Levi adds, playfully swinging one arm around Spence. “Well done, Champ,” he quips.
Spence shoots him a withering glare, clearly annoyed to be interrupted in the middle of negotiations.
Despite Decker’s stubbornness, Spence persists.
“Look at it this way, Crusade. Right now, I'm giving you the illusion of choice.”
Kendrick snorts, then drapes one arm around Joey’s shoulders, tucking her into his side.
Nicky stands back a bit, talking quietly with Sione and Greedy.
Their attention keeps wandering back to the heated discussion happening in front of us.
We’re all enraptured by their exchange to the point that we’re not even pretending to not be invested.
“Additionally, there is very little I'm not willing to do to make this work in my favor.”
Decker's brows knit together tighter, his scowl deepening. “You can try,” he mocks. “But I can assure you, Mrs. Lansbury is loyal to me.”
Spence cocks one eyebrow. My insides clench instinctively—I know that look all too well. “While she may be loyal to you, you haven’t considered the ultimate trump card in my hand.”
Decker’s scowl falters, but he still takes the bait.
“And what’s that?” he hedges.
“I can make a very compelling argument when it comes to matters of the heart. Both Mrs. Lansbury and Gerald would benefit from being duly employed by me.”
Joey snickers. Kendrick lets out a low chuckle. I catch Sione’s gaze, and we share a knowing smile.
It’s pretty much the worst kept secret between our two cohorts that Gerald and Mrs. Lansbury are hooking up.
They’re adorable, and also awkward as hell when they try to act as if there’s nothing between them.
Apparently age hasn’t tempered their desire.
They’ve made liberal use of the pantry at the Crusade Mansion over the last few months.
In fact, we all avoid going in there anymore.
If we need something from the pantry, we’d rather run out to the store than risk interrupting them.
“Why are you being such a curmudgeon, Cap?” Joey asks, sidling up to her husband and wrapping her arms around his waist.
Decker reaches for her immediately, harboring her safely in the crook of his arm. “I’m not being a curmudgeon,” he counters. I catch him glancing my way, but he quickly refocuses on his wife.
“Mrs. Lansbury practically raised me,” he continues, his jaw ticking.
“I always…” He lets the thought fall off, raking a hand through his hair before looking back down at my best friend.
In an uncharacteristic show of softness, he leans down and says quietly, “I just assumed we’d keep her on staff and she could help us raise our kids, too. ”
Joey presses her lips together, no doubt trying to fend off a smile.
A charged silence settles over the group. Soft Decker is a rarity, and Joey’s guys are no doubt looking to her to guide them through this one.
Joey, being Joey, doesn’t miss a beat.
With a scrunch of her nose, she looks at her other guys, then back up to Decker. She pops up onto her tiptoes and kisses him, then replants her feet and lets her no-nonsense mask slip into place.
“We’re years away from even thinking about making babies.”
Kylian guffaws. “Speak for yourself. I think about performing the act in which babies are made no less than twelve times a day. Technically more, if we consider fantasies involving fluids being transferred by tong—”
“Nope,” Nicky growls, stepping up to Kylian’s side and placing his large tatted hand over his friend’s mouth. “You’re done.”
Joey regards the boys over her shoulder, giving them both a warning glare.
Turning back to Decker, she says, “I still have three more years until I earn my undergrad degree. I might want to get a master’s degree, too.
Kendrick has a big year coming up, and his rookie contract is for four years.
You and Kylian have amazing ideas about what’s next.
” With uncharacteristic gentleness, she concludes, “I don’t see why Mrs. Lansbury can’t help Hunter and her guys for a while.
Honestly they might be done having babies by the time we’re ready to start growing our family. ”
Decker releases a massive sigh. For as strong-willed as he is, the man knows when he’s been defeated.
He turns back to Spence, his hard scowl slipping back into place.
“I want to see a written agreement outlining the terms of her employment. You’ll match her base salary and offer a tiered bonus structure based on the number of kids in your family.
You’ll also offer her a signing bonus, provide annual merit raises, and continue to pay for the health insurance policy I have in place. ”
Spence’s smile is victorious, his grin growing more wicked as he accepts Decker’s concession. “As you wish, Crusade.”
At that moment, the plane door opens.
“Shall we?” Spence asks, holding out one arm toward the stairs.
We’re greeted by a bevy of flight attendants, all dressed up and eager to take our bags for us.
“There are two private suites,” Spence announces, removing his jacket and handing it to a flight attendant. Leave it to Spence to wear a three-piece suit on a plane.
“Who are you?” Nicky mutters under his breath, looking around the lavishly decorated cabin, then back to Spence.
“Our room is on the left,” he tells the group. “Josephine and her cohort can take the bedroom on the right.”
I try to stifle a deep yawn as we explore. Sione wraps one arm around me from behind, guiding me over to one of the seating areas.
“We’ll stay out here for takeoff,” he says. “But we can head back and take a nap once the plane has reached cruising altitude.”
I nod in agreement, letting my head rest on his shoulder for a minute once we get situated in our seats.
“You really have no clue where we’re going?”
Part of me secretly hoped we were heading to Italy to stay at Villa Viola with Sione’s grandparents, Kitty and Omar. But I don’t think that’s something Si would have kept from me. And I know he wouldn’t have been able to hide his excitement.
“Not yet, Mahina.”
I let out a little huff. Spence swears no one knows and that he wants our final destination to be a surprise. Apparently all will be revealed when we land.
Greedy takes a seat on my other side, with Levi plopping down in an oversized chair across from us. Greedy takes my hand in his and laces our fingers together. “You really don’t know where we’re going?”
I shake my head, grinning. “I really don’t.”
He grimaces, then huffs out a skeptical sigh. “In His Royal Highness we trust, I guess.”
Si pulls me back against him, insisting I rest. “Once we’re in the air, I’m going to take her back to the bedroom.”
“Oh yeah?” Levi asks salaciously, leaning forward and resting both elbows on his knees.
Sione’s energy shifts, unamused stoicism dominating his vibe. “Hunter needs rest,” he insists. His tone brooks no argument.
Levi pouts. “I thought the whole point of a babymoon was for us to enjoy good food and good sex?”
Si stiffens beside me, but Greedy chimes in before their quarrel can go any further.
“You’re not wrong, Leev,” he replies diplomatically, “but Hunter deserves to feel her best on this trip so she can enjoy everything, too. I’m fully supportive of family nap time.”
“How much caffeine have you consumed today?” Sione challenges.
“I don’t know. I think there were a few shots of espresso in the fancy coffee drink Jose made me this morning.”
Unhelpfully, Joey calls back from the front of the cabin. “I made you a quad shot shaken espresso, pal. You’ve got at least three hundred milligrams coursing through your veins right now.”
Sione’s scowl deepens. “If you’re going to fidget and inadvertently wake her, you’re not permitted to join us in the bedroom.”
I press my lips together to stifle a laugh. Si’s usually so laid back. What has gotten into him today?
Levi leans back in his seat with both arms behind his head. “I’m an excellent sleeper.”
Sione concedes. “You’re welcome to join us, as long as you prioritize Hunter’s rest above all else.”
I wrap my arms around Sione’s stomach, hugging him from the side. When he doesn’t acknowledge me, I rest my chin on his bicep and peer up, waiting him out.
“Are you okay?” I ask gently.
A storm of emotions wars behind his dark brown irises.
“I don’t like flying,” he admits a moment later.
Oh.
Ohhh.
He’s anxious, I’m realizing, which is a version of Sione I’ve never experienced before.
“But—but you flew all the way from Italy to North Carolina.”
“I did.”
“Surely you were okay on that flight?” I insist.
“I was not.”
Guilt washes over me.
“So how did you—”