Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The engine rumbles to life against the biting cold of the garage.
Turning the headlights on, I pop the trunk to throw in my luggage and leave it open for the others.
I came out earlier so the car could warm up, but even with the echoes of the garage I swear the sound of my teeth chattering overpowers the roar of my exhaust.
The only warmth clinging to me is from the adrenaline of being a step closer to Alaska.
You would think that’s what kept me tossing and turning all night, not my thoughts wandering to Jasper’s words.
This is not the time for me to be distracted right now, and I feel ashamed to admit that I am.
Alarm bells ring in my head at the ghostly presence of his hands.
A man’s hands can be so dangerous, unpredictable really.
Though deep down I don’t want to think Jasper would ever hurt me, but that’s where my mind takes a sharp right turn. You always want to believe in the good intentions they drip off their lips when they lure you in. But then you find yourself stuck in the honey.
And a woman’s world is no different than the wilderness.
You find yourself stuck, but it’s not Winnie the Pooh who comes to devour you in that honey.
It’s a great big bear, eerily equal to the male species.
They always ask you— do you choose the man or the bear?
I’ve found that in my case; I’ll always choose the bear. Just not the one I work with.
Hands slam on the hood of my Mustang, jolting me back into reality.
“Watch it!” Bear waves sweetly as he passes by on the way to Nyx’s jeep. Definitely not the one I work with.
I return a sweet gesture of my own.
“Not the morning bird I wanted to be greeted with, Flossie,” Bear coos.
The rest of Greyline begin to appear from the elevator, Jett, Cici, and Matt making their way over to me, luggage in hand.
Cici mumbles her good morning, handing her bag over to Matt to place in the trunk.
The passenger door squeaks open and I reach over, pulling the lever for the seat to fall forward.
She climbs into the back, the cheetah print sleep mask secured around her forehead telling me just how much sleep she got last night.
“Good news I hope?” I ask.
The trunk slams shut and Matt stretches a leg in, squeezing into the back next to her.
“Don’t ever doubt your girl,” she says proudly over her yawn, handing over a thick blue binder.
I eagerly snatch it from her, quickly skimming through the printed pages. I’ll share them with Nyx on the flight of course. “Atta girl,” I say smiling.
Matt slips an arm over her shoulder, giving it a good squeeze as she collects her puffy pink blanket and snuggles into him.
I raise my eyebrows slightly in the rearview mirror. Cici only mouths, “Later.” I face forward, clicking my buckle into place and adjust the mirror from their view.
Jett drops his head in, lifting the seat. “Give me a sec.” he mutters, then walks over to Greer loading her things in the back of Nyx’s Jeep.
I catch her weary glance in my direction, before Jett steps in her path, blocking my view.
Even though my exhaust is the only audible thing in the garage, it’s obvious they’re still speaking in hushed voices.
Nyx sits tensely in the driver’s seat, catching the encounter in his side mirror and nonchalantly adjusting it as he watches.
Suddenly the mirror reflects the garage lights, shining directly into Greer’s eyes. She shields them, beginning to turn toward Nyx. I slam my foot on the gas pedal, red lining the engine. Pop pop pop. “Come on! We have a plane to catch!” I yell out, thrusting my hands out of the window.
Jett only shakes his head at Greer and jogs back to the car. His face remains unreadable as he slams the door shut. I press in the clutch and shift into gear, taking a quick glance at Nyx who only dips his head.
We pull out of the garage, the early-morning sun peeking through the mountains and washing over our faces.
“What was that about?” I ask.
Jett shrugs, staring out of the window. “Nothing,” he replies quietly.
“Well—“ I stop myself. We need to be a unit when we board this plane, and I don’t want to start something I don’t have the time to finish. Greer is a young hot head, always known to push authority. Over time, her commentary has been easy to ignore, but her actions have become a thorn in my side.
I’m beginning to wonder if Greer is the one who ratted to Ana about me rushing ahead. If she wants lead, the least she can do is act like it and not scamper around T.A.L.O.N planting seeds of conflict. Maybe I’m overreaching but I still tuck the thought in the back of my mind for later.
Jett tosses a wave up to the guard as he ushers us through the gliding gate. My hands ache for warmth, gripping the leather wheel as we pull out onto the open road.
“Too early for tunes?” Matt pipes up from the back.
He doesn’t have to tell me twice. I twist the cold nob, George Jones coming to life on the radio as we cruise through the curves. “Take it away, Cici!