Chapter 13
THANE
All it took was one phone call to Kai. “I need a miracle, man. And I know you’re—”
“I’ll put my best people on it, cousin. Enjoy your trip.”
That was about three hours ago, and I can still hear the grin in his voice at the opportunity to help someone who never asks for it.
I’m not sure if Kai realizes that aside from my brothers, he’s the first family member I’ve ever asked for a favor.
I might tell him that in person someday, just to see his crazy smile.
I squeeze Audra’s hand gently as the private jet circles a small airfield. She’s been quiet on the flight. I hope that doesn’t have anything to do with her family meeting me.
“How many times have you been to New York?” I ask.
“Um… Five times, I think.” She turns to me, smiling. “You?”
I shrug. “First time.” My hand drops to caress her knee gently. “I’ve traveled a bit, though. Chicago. Charlotte. Kingsville. Nashville. Vancouver. Pretty city, but man, it rains a lot.”
Her tongue skims over her bottom lip. “Do you like traveling?”
“Yeah. I mean, it’s okay with my brothers, or by myself. I think it’ll be a lot more interesting with you.”
She clutches my arm suddenly as the plane tilts toward the runway.
“Angel, I have to ask. Is there a reason you didn’t tell me that your father is Robert Barclay, the tech guru?”
Her lovely face falls. “I’m not…I mean… I guess I didn’t want you to think I’m a spoiled trust fund princess.”
My entire body sighs with relief, and her gorgeous warm brown eyes widen as I chuckle deeply. “My beautiful girl. Hate to break it to you, but I was keeping the same secret.”
“Huh?” She blinks. “What do you mean?”
“I’m kind of a trust fund kid, too.” I sigh. “The extended Wolfe family has a bunch of investments and properties and whatever. I was handed a cut when I turned eighteen, and I live on the income. I don’t need much, but I have plenty. I maintain the land and make furniture to give me purpose.”
Her eyes glow. “A man who works hard, even though he doesn’t have to?”
“Well…yeah.”
Her fingers dig in harder as the plane wheels hit the tarmac. “So this is your family’s jet?”
“My cousins rent them a lot. Five of them run Wolfe Security, which is kind of a big—”
“WHAT?!” Audra bounces in her seat. “They won the IFTA Breakthrough Award last year! The one my father is getting tonight.” The light in her eyes ignites my heart. Her excitement is infectious.
“Why didn’t you initially want to go to the awards, then?”
She sighs. “Because my pushy mother gets even pushier at things like that. She shoves me at rich, eligible men who could raise their social status. My father, who politely ignores me most of the time, trots me out like I’m a science experiment that he’s awaiting feedback on.
I mean, I wish them well, but… That’s not my jam, you know?
And I didn’t want to drop everything for days for it. ”
“Yeah, okay. I get that. But this is a big life event for your dad, and I’m here. All we need to do is swoop in, applaud, smile, and get out. Right?”
“Right.” She flashes me a sheepish grin.
“I wish I’d had time to go home and raid my closet first. This is a very fancy event.
” Audra giggles, rolling her eyes. “Mom has shoved the importance of being a fashionista down my throat since I was very young. That’s why I always wear shapeless dresses now. ”
“And here I thought you wanted to be comfortable while you’re working.”
She laughs. “Well, that too.”
After the plane rolls to a stop, we unfasten our seatbelts.
“I wasn’t sure whether you’d want to glam up or not.” I stand, extending my hand to walk her to the door, where I grab our two small shoulder bags. “So I have two stylists already gathering a few different outfits for us.”
Her mouth falls open. “What?”
“They’re waiting for us at the Carlyle. Apparently I have to get a haircut and you need something called an updo – which I assume means pinning your hair up somehow?”
“Yes.” Her light laugh follows us down the steps as I thank the crew.
“But we’re a bit pressed for time, so we’re having a pre-shindig snack on the way downtown.” I nod to the driver holding the Lincoln Town Car door open for us.
Audra glances back at the gleaming jet with the tasteful ‘Cufflinks Private Air’ logo, then up at me, and I swear there are stars in her eyes. Her soft smile is positively radiant.
“What is it, angel?”
“I thought you were a small-town lumberjack. And here you are pulling out all the stops.”
“Yeah, that’s a Wolfe thing. Extended family means connections everywhere. Need an expert? There’s a relative for that. Forester, medic, ranger on another mountain…cousin who’s a chef at a horse rescue ranch… We’re kind of all over the place.”
We get into the car, where coffee and sandwiches are waiting. Audra can’t stop smiling and finally reaches over to take my hand. “Thank you.”
My fingers entwine with hers. “Angel, I want to give you everything you need. Always.” I snort. “Even if that means asking for help for the first time in years.”
Her eyes glow. “Thank you. That means a lot. I hope you’re not bored at this thing.”
Lifting her hand, I place it over my heart. “Not if you’re there too, gorgeous. I’ll be quiet and might stay out of the way as much as possible. But I’ll never be bored if I’m with my wonderful girl.”
It’s awkward to kiss her, as the car is turning a corner and we’ve got cream cheese and avocado sandwiches on our laps. But the kiss feels different.
I think Audra has realized what I’ve known from the start.
She’s my girl.
I’m her guy.
And this is officially a done deal.