Chapter Fifteen
There’s not much time to do anything except pack and meet at the small, private Denver airport as soon as possible. I climb out of my Vanquish, grab my bag and steel myself for the long flight with Ryder’s friends.
It’s not that I don’t like them. The problem is I do.
I barely know them, I certainly don’t trust them, but I like them way more than I thought I would.
Or perhaps should. Especially Addie. It didn’t take long for me to feel some strange sort of kinship with the other woman, and I have a feeling we have several things in common.
The truth is, I’ve always admired her from afar.
She’s strategic, capable. A damn force to be reckoned with. Being able to say she’s my friend…
That would be pretty damn cool.
I spot Ryder’s Lambo, and knowing he’s here already makes it easier for me to walk onto the jet.
As soon as I reach it, an attractive woman wearing a worn leather bomber jacket over a tank top with cargo pants and boots comes around the corner of the plane.
Her russet-colored hair is up in a ponytail, and she’s peering through mirrored aviators at something on a clipboard.
“You must be Delaney,” she surmises, lowering the paperwork in her hand to her side and tilting her head as she looks at me.
“Boy, have I heard a lot about you.” Her mouth curves up as she offers a hand, and I notice the sparkling engagement ring on her finger.
A stunning emerald-cut diamond. “I’m Hunter McGrath, Knox’s better half. ”
I chuckle and shake her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Can’t say I know many female pilots. That’s a pretty cool profession.”
“The Navy was good to me. Now I fly this crew around and try to keep them out of trouble.”
“I imagine that’s not an easy thing to do.”
“You can say that again.” She nods to the stairs set up against the aircraft. “Go on in. I’m almost done with my pre-flight check.”
“Thanks.” As I climb up the steps and enter the jet, it occurs to me that Hunter is nothing like Knox.
She’s former military and seems straightforward and no-nonsense, while he’s a former thief who oozes charm, AKA bullshit.
It’s a total opposites attract scenario, and I look forward to seeing their interactions.
Even though they’re so different, I have a feeling they’re adorably perfect for each other.
Everyone is already on board and getting situated, chatting away.
No one seems nervous. Instead, the atmosphere feels relaxed, yet charged with an excited anticipation—like they’re ready for the challenge awaiting us.
The moment Ryder sees me, he motions for me to join him.
The others greet me with nods and smiles as I walk down the aisle, making me feel like a part of the group already.
Well, except Linc who gives me a half-hearted grunt.
I’m going to win that man over, I decide.
Eventually—because he’s going to be a tough nut to crack.
“I saved you a seat,” Ryder says with a grin. He takes my duffel bag and stores it while I sit down in the empty leather chair beside him.
“Thank you.” I try not to sound nervous, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. He settles in beside me, and we buckle up. “Hunter seems nice. She said she’s almost done with her flight check.” His arm brushes against mine and it helps settle me. Grounds me.
“She’s a badass fighter pilot. Former Top Gun.”
“Wow. That’s impressive.” I don’t know much about the military, but I’ve seen the movies. Anyone who can fly like that has all my respect and then some. They’re lucky to have her.
Hunter appears a moment later, closing and latching the plane’s door.
“All set, Sparrow?” Knox asks.
“We’re good to go,” she confirms. “Get comfortable, everybody, because flight time is approximately eleven hours and forty-one minutes.”
Linc groans, dropping his head back against the seat and already white-knuckling the armrests. Maybe it’s not my presence making him crabby and, instead, it’s the fact he hates flying. That makes me relax in my seat a little more and reminds me not to judge anyone here too fast.
“Don’t worry, Linc, I’ve got you.” Hunter squeezes his shoulder and then makes her way into the cockpit.
The way Knox watches her, completely fixated on her every move, touching her until she has to pull away, makes my heart squeeze. What would it be like to have a man look at me that way? Like I’m the center of his universe.
I have no idea. But I can’t lie—a part of me would like to know. Sneaking a sideways glance at Ryder, I realize he’s the first man I’ve ever wanted to look at me like that.
It’s not long before we take off, and once we’re at cruising altitude, Hunter tells us we’re free to move around the large cabin.
The Bombardier Global 7500 is a long-range business jet designed for non-stop, high-speed travel over long distances, which means this is a direct flight.
It’s luxurious and top-of-the-line. Makes me wonder how they can afford it because even with the big paydays they pull in from heists, this beauty costs about eighty mil.
I know because Adam Voss has two of them, and I was nosy enough to look it up.
I can’t wrap my head around Hunter owning this jet.
I lean in toward Ryder, keeping my voice low. “Who’s bankrolling this operation?”
“Funny you should ask, because I think we’re about to call him.” He gives me a mysterious smile, and I wonder if it has to do with the very mysterious man I’ve heard mentioned?
As if in answer, Addie gets up. She stretches a little, then turns toward our row of seats. “Ryder, can you connect us?”
“Sure thing.” He reaches for his laptop and, while he works, he tells me a little more. “The Man is our mysterious benefactor. He has a lot of connections and bankrolls our operations.”
A frown creases my forehead as I watch him tap away. “You really have no idea who this person is? And you trust him anyway?” I can’t believe what I’m hearing. This group seems way too smart for that. “Why?”
He pauses and looks over at me. “Because Addie’s mom told us to, and he’s never been wrong about anything. It’s almost like…”
“What?”
“Like he’s watching over us. Protecting us.”
Hmmm. As nice as that sounds, there’s no way I could do the same.
Maybe there’s safety in numbers for them, but not knowing his identity makes me extremely wary.
What’s the big secret? And how are we going to have a conference call with him and not see him?
Unless he keeps his camera off. The whole thing is so weird to me.
Once Ryder has his laptop connected to a large screen on the wall, everyone gathers closer, and he initiates the call. After two rings, The Man answers. His blurred face fills the screen and when he speaks, his true voice is disguised.
“Hello, everyone,” he greets, his tone tinny and mechanical-sounding. Below his neck, his chest and shoulders are clear, upper arm muscles straining against a fitted, black T-shirt. Broad and strong-looking, so it’s not a woman.
No, whoever this is, it’s definitely a man. No doubt about it. While Addie fills him in on why we’re heading to Argentina, I squint, trying hard to spot some telltale clue to his identity, but there’s nothing. He’s extremely careful, which makes me think someone here could possibly identify him.
He obviously catches on to me because he directs his next comment straight my way. “Sorry, Miss Diamond, but there’s no point in trying to discern my identity. We’ve not met.”
He knows me! “Are you sure about that?” I challenge. Something about him…
For a moment he doesn’t say anything. “I’m sure,” he finally states.
“How did you know my name?” I press.
“I know a lot. And your reputation precedes you.”
“So I’ve heard,” I mutter.
That’s hardly an answer, and I want to keep grilling him, but Addie deftly turns the conversation back to the mission.
I’m not sure why he seems vaguely familiar considering I can’t see his face or even hear his real voice, but it’s a gut feeling.
A feeling that maybe we’ve run into each other before.
My instincts are good, and I’ve learned to never discount my gut, so I decide to file this away until later.
“I have news of Adam Voss,” The Man announces, and I sit up straighter. “He believes you have the Phantom Orchid, Miss Diamond, and he’s not happy.”
I tilt my chin up stubbornly. Totally defiant. “He’s not getting it.”
“Fair enough, but be aware he’s sending his mercs after you.”
Knox and Linc each let out a curse, Brighton’s face screws up in a frown and Addie crosses her arms. The last thing I want to do is put any of them in danger. “If you decide not to work with me, I understand,” I murmur quietly.
Ryder looks at me, his handsome face lined with concern. “If they’re coming after you, they’ll have to get through me,” he growls, voice so firm and unwavering it makes my chest tighten. Hearing him stick up for me like that…
God, I want to cover him with kisses.
“They’ll have to get through all of us,” Addie declares, and Brighton, Knox and Linc nod in agreement. “You might’ve been our rival, but things have changed. If Ryder vouches for you, then you have our protection and loyalty. I only hope it’s returned.”
Emotion swells inside me. I haven’t had any kind of family since my dad passed away.
The fact that this group is willing to go out on a limb for me, someone they barely know, makes the back of my eyes sting with unshed tears.
“It is,” I promise. My attention shifts to Ryder and he gives me a reassuring smile.
“We’ve got you, Delaney,” he murmurs. “I’ve got you.”
I know traveling down here and seeing his dad and stepmom isn’t going to be easy for him because of their lack of a relationship.
But he’s doing it anyway. Maybe just for the rest of the diamond, sure.
But a tiny part of me thinks it may be for me.
Is it silly to think so? Perhaps. But I can’t help but hope it’s true.
The call wraps up while I’m lost in my thoughts, the click of Ryder’s laptop closing bringing me back to my current reality. I’m on my way to hopefully fulfilling my father’s greatest dream. Secure his legacy. And I’m not alone while I’m doing it.
As Knox disappears into the cockpit to sit with Hunter, Ryder sets his laptop aside and turns to me. “Want a tour of the jet?”
He extends his hand and I place mine in his, allowing him to pull me up. “Sure.” He tugs me down the aisle, past knowing eyes, and the moment we disappear in the back section of the plane, he pins me against the nearest wall and kisses the holy hell out of me.
Trying to be as quiet as possible, but desperate for him, I slide my hands through his hair as our tongues duel.
Molten lava fires through my veins, making me restless and needy.
Breathing in his citrusy scent, I wrap a leg around his calf and writhe against him.
He’s deliciously hard. One-hundred percent pure male, ready to take me, and there’s nothing I’d like more.
Okay, well, maybe some privacy. That would be really nice.
I reach down and cup his steel length, squeezing, and he groans into my mouth. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?” he rasps, lips sliding over to my neck. He licks, lightly sucking, and I let my head fall to the side, giving him better access.
“I have an idea,” I murmur as he thrusts against my palm.
“God, I want inside you.”
“I want you, too,” I whisper huskily.
Behind us, a delicate throat clears. Busted. I squeeze my eyes shut as Ryder buries his face in the curve of my neck, keeping his body pressed to mine.
“Are you two trying to get caught?” Addie asks. Amusement laces her dry voice.
“No,” he responds gruffly, voice muffled against my skin, his light stubble scratching and tickling. I can’t help but giggle and squirm against him. He grasps my hips. “Don’t move,” he hisses, sounding pained.
“Sorry,” I whisper, even though I’m not sorry in the least. I love knowing how much he wants me. Knowing I’m not alone in my desire.
“Get yourselves back in order and come join us. We’ve got plans to make. You can play later,” she adds sweetly, then spins on her heel and returns to the main cabin.
“You think she knows?” he asks, shoulders shaking, and we both burst out laughing.
“I’m going to say yes.” I pull back and comb my fingers through his adorable mop of waves, pushing them off his forehead. “Bit of a buzzkill, but I suppose she’s right. We need to figure out how we’re getting into the party and then how to find the map.”
“Leave that to me.” He kisses me, slow and sultry, pulling a whimper from my throat. Making me melt all over again. Very reluctantly, we disentangle ourselves, and he sends me a sly smile as he readjusts himself. “To be continued.”
Yes, there’s no doubt in my mind about that. After this heist, I plan on jumping Ryder McKay’s bones. Unless he jumps mine first.