28. Diego
Chapter Twenty-Eight
DIEGO
I was cutting it close by the time I arrived at the plane hangar and hustled to get the plane ready for the trip. “Thanks, man,” I called over to Ryan Brooks.
Ryan was a young guy who was working on getting his pilot’s license and also doing side work as a mechanic. Flynn had been hiring him for small repair jobs. While all of us could handle repairs, we were busy enough as it was. He grinned in my direction. “Anytime. You guys keep me busy and are great references for me.”
Ryan was the younger brother of Eli Brooks, a friend who owned a local guiding and outdoor shop. Having Ryan work for us was a mutually beneficial arrangement. We sent customers to Eli, and Ryan logged plenty of those flight training hours. Flynn insisted on paying him his full rate for mechanic work, even though Ryan was always trying to give us a discount.
He did us a solid by squeezing us in on short notice whenever he could as he’d done this morning. Before he’d even driven away, a car pulled up in the parking area, and a family poured out of it. The distraction I needed so desperately was here in the form of two teenage boys who helped me load up the plane. Their parents were patient with them, and the family was beyond excited to go on this trip into the wilderness.
While they waited to board, I ran into the hangar for a last check to grab my gear bag and make sure I had a fully charged radio and a backup battery. My cell phone buzzed as I was walking out of the restroom. Seeing Harley’s name on the screen, I answered quickly, “What’s up, Sis? I’ve only got a minute because I’m about to fly.”
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot you’re gone for three days. Well, that attorney called me. Again.” She proceeded to repeat some variation of what the attorney had said to me, but added, “He said Gemma could be in real trouble if she doesn’t get in touch with them.”
I wanted to scream in frustration. Gemma had given me the rundown, but I didn’t like how Harley was getting caught up in this. My sister who never wanted to be told to back down was going to have to fucking back down.
“Harley, leave it alone, okay? I talked to Gemma today. She hasn’t done anything wrong. The smartest thing for you to do is not to take those calls. Those people are trying to fuck with her.”
“Well, maybe if you would let me know what the hell was going on?—”
I cut her off quickly. “Daphne was right. It’s personal, and it’s up to Gemma to tell whoever she wants to tell. You’re my sister, and I love you, but you need to trust me on this.”
I hung up the phone, hoping and praying Harley would take my words to heart. Unsure what my options were considering that I had a professional obligation and needed to leave, I pulled Gemma’s name up and sent her a quick text.
Just a heads up. That attorney spoke to Harley again. I didn’t tell her what you shared with me because that’s your call. Maybe you better get a hold of your brother sooner rather than later.
My thumbs hovered over the screen. They actually itched to type out the words “I love you.” Which was fucking insane. What the hell was I thinking? I was getting way ahead of myself.
I’ll be back in three days. I’ll be thinking of you. If you need anything from me, call Daphne. Flynn can reach me. Please take care of yourself and please call your brother.