25. Harper
HARPER
The trip seemed to take forever and couldn’t be over fast enough with how harrowing it was.
The skills I saw in LA were nothing compared to the death-defying feats that Magnus managed to pull off here.
Weaving in and out of traffic, roaring down the road at speeds that absolutely would kill us if we crashed, but I seemed to be the only one who had a problem with this.
When we finally pulled into the back entrance of an airport, Ghost had to help me unclench my hands from the Jeep’s frame.
“It takes a little getting used to, but driving like that gets us places faster and ensures we don’t have anyone following us,” Jaxson informed me as he massaged his thumbs into my tense shoulders.
“Were we worried about that?” I inquired, the thought having never crossed my mind.
Jaxon kissed my head and took my hand, leading me to the hanger. “It’s something we always worry about. You never know who or what might be sniffing around when you least expect it.”
“Do you guys have something like a rule book with all this written down? I feel like this is stuff I should know,” I pointed out.
“Why do you think I brought up the notebook idea? There are things we do and have been doing for so long, we forget it isn’t normal for other people.
Being able to write everything down in one spot will be good for us all,” Jaxson said as we came to a stop before a small jet plane.
“This is our ride. I need to go through a pre-flight check with Magnus, so you and Ghost get settled.”
“Yeah, I don’t think I’m going to be able to go back to flying like a normal person after this,” I muttered as I walked up the steps into the cabin.
Stepping aboard the plane, there were four chairs facing each other, but past them was a couch that sat perfectly positioned to the flatscreen television across from it. Beyond that were another four chairs facing a table like it was meant to be a workstation or place to eat.
“Damn,” I said in awe. “I flew in this already and missed it?”
“Don’t worry. This time, we won’t drug you,” Ghost whispered into my ear.
Leaping onto the couch, I swore as I clutched my chest feeling like my heart was going to burst out. “Why,” I snapped. “One of these days, you’re going to do that, and something bad is going to happen.”
“Nah, we’ll train that out of you,” Ghost commented as he flopped down on the couch.
“Now that you’re going to be in our world forever, what we started you on in training is just the tip of the iceberg.
The more we keep working on your self-defense and teaching you to keep your senses open for changes to your environment, we’ll never get the chance to sneak up on you. ”
What he said made sense even if I wasn’t looking forward to reaching the point he was talking about.
While I didn’t want to be a liability for them, I didn’t want to become like Dax or my guys.
I still wanted to see good in the world and pretend that darkness wasn’t lurking around every corner.
That had me going down the rabbit hole of if we had kids, would the guys teach them the same thing?
How would that work? Did we tell them that their fathers were assassins?
“Angel,” Ghost murmured, reaching out to grip my chin and turning me to look at him. “What in the world are you thinking about that has you making that kind of expression?”
“Do we tell our kids you’re an assassin?
” I blurted. He blinked at me a few times, clearly not expecting that train of thought.
“If you have me doing all this training, what will it be like for them? I don’t want them feeling like they need to be part of this world if they don’t want to be.
What if their dream is to be a lawyer or a cop?
They wouldn’t do it if they had to hunt down or prosecute people like their own parents. ”
“Whoa, there, tiger,” Ghost answered, pulling me to his chest, hugging me tightly.
“While I fucking love the fact you are thinking and talking about our kids, I think you’re getting a little ahead of yourself.
By the time we get to that point, who knows if we will even be doing this assassin gig.
If we wanted to, the three of us could retire and live off the money we have tucked away.
Nothing is set in stone, Harper, but what I do know is when that moment comes and kids are on the way, we will absolutely do whatever needs to happen in their best interest.”
Hearing him say this eased the anxiety I was feeling enough that I could set that train of thought aside for now.
“I’m sorry, if I’m being honest, I didn’t really ever think I was going to marry.
Of course, I wanted someone to spend my life with, but I figured it would end up being more of a domestic partnership or possibly a sugar daddy who would fund all my designs. ”
“Well, you got three sugar daddies because we would be happy to fund whatever dreams you have,” Ghost assured me while making me snort in laughter.
“You know sugar daddies are typically older, right? Aren’t we the same age?” I asked. Ghost gave me a sideways glance that had me sitting up. “We’re the same age, right?”
“How do you feel about being a cougar?” Ghost asked, rubbing his chin.
“No, not a chance. I don’t believe it for a second,” I exclaimed, my eyes feeling like they might bug out of my head.
The glimmer of laughter in his eyes told me he was pulling my leg.
Launching myself at him, I started to poke at his sides, hoping to find a ticklish spot to inflict my retaliation.
His body started twitching as I found the right place and attacked.
Laughter boomed out of him as we tumbled off the couch with a thud.
He started retaliating, sliding his hands up my shirt to get to my ribs, knowing they were a sure bet.
“Don’t start what you can’t finish there, angel,” Ghost taunted as I was unable to continue now that I was squirming, trying to get away.
I launched myself backward, but he somehow managed to catch me before I could get far enough away.
Now, I was on my back with him looming over me, a knee between my legs, and a hand on my hip.
The laughter in his eyes quickly changed to a glint with another kind of pleasure.
Swooping in, he caught my lips with his own as he settled his large body on top of mine, devouring me.
His lips trailed down along my jaw to my neck, drifting lower until he had to start pulling my shirt down to get what he was really after.
My hands slipped into his hair as his knuckles brushed my nipples.
God, I don’t think I could ever get enough of these men.
Then a sound caught my attention, and my eyes snapped open to discover Francois watching us with a raised brow. Instantly, I froze, sending Ghost into action as he instantly shoved upright, twisted to block me as I scrambled back, and pulled a gun from somewhere to point it at Francois.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Francois?” Ghost asked, his voice cold as the death he would provide if he didn’t like the answer.
Francois held up his hands in an act of surrender. “I don’t mean you or your lovely new fiancé any harm. It was made known to me you were leaving, and I only wished to extend my congratulations to the happy quad on their engagement. It is evident to anyone you’re all very much in love.”
“How? How could you possibly know that?” I gasped, shooting to my feet.
“Harper,” Ghost snapped as he yanked me behind him.
Francois calmly slipped his hand into the pockets of his expensive slacks. “One doesn’t become the boss of a large criminal family without having a few special talents.”
“Cut the crap and tell us why you’re really here,” Ghost barked. “Where are the other two? Did you harm my brothers?”
“Goodness, you have little trust in a man you consider an ally. We’ve done business for years, Ghost. I don’t understand the hostility?
” Francois asked, cocking his head to the side.
“Aside from wishing you safe travels, I wanted to make sure that Mademoiselle Harper had a way to contact me directly. She and I have a deal. It would be remiss of me not to ensure that deal could be upheld. I think you’re going to need my help sooner than you think. ”
Stepping up beside Ghost, I reached out and urged him to lower his gun. “It’s all right.”
When he gave in and lowered the gun, I passed him and approached Francois.
Pulling a hand out of his pocket, he proffered a black card with a number in white text on it.
“This is my personal number, which is not something I hand out often. While you only bartered for one favor, I have a feeling you and I will find the occasion to need each other here and there. Let Magnus know I will be speaking to you now regarding work that needs to be done.”
I reached out to take the card from him with my left hand, but he snatched it, lifting it so he could examine my ring. Then he held my gaze and kissed the ring before letting the card slip into my grasp. “Until we meet again, I bid you adieu and safe travels.”
Leaving me standing there stunned at the whole encounter, he left as silently as he came.
Bolting after him, I jumped off the steps looking around frantically for the other two of my men.
I ran around the plane but couldn’t find any trace of them.
Then I spotted Jaxson walking out of a hangar, tossing a set of keys into the air and catching them.
Seeing that had me realizing the Jeep was missing.
It would seem he’d placed it in storage somewhere since we weren’t going to be back anytime soon.
“Gorgeous, what’s wrong?” he asked when he spotted me and jogged over. He grabbed my shoulders and seemed to look me over, ensuring I wasn’t hurt.
“Where’s Magnus?” I demanded.
“He had to check in with the flight office for a few things. Harper, tell me what happened. Where is Ghost?” he asked, tucking me against his side as we walked back to the plane.