Chapter Three #2
At the far side of the hangar was another set of metal lockers, just like the ones I’d seen back at headquarters.
I swiped my card again, revealing a flight suit and helmet.
I stepped into it, shrugging it into place before zipping it up.
After tucking my helmet beneath my arm, I jerked my chin up at Aquarius.
“There’s something for you in one of those, you know.”
She cocked a brow but obediently joined me beside the lockers, swiping her card. Another locker door swung open revealing a parachute and harness.
“Ah, and it all makes sense,” she muttered, dragging it out. “I did wonder why I was being jetted halfway across the world by a fighter pilot rather than in a private jet.”
I grinned. “I won’t be landing in Colombia, but you will be.”
“Great. Glad I didn’t spend too much time on my hair.”
With a laugh, we headed over to the jet. I would need to climb up into the cockpit, but I first wanted to ensure Aquarius was strapped in and familiar with what was going to happen when we arrived in Bogotá. Once we were up in the air, I wouldn’t be able to assist her.
“It’s smaller than I thought,” she said, clambering up into the passenger compartment.
“Designed for only two passengers. These babies don’t usually carry more than one pilot.
It’s been modified to allow for covert drop offs.
Time to put the ‘chute on, do you know—” I cut myself off as I watched Aquarius make short work of fastening herself into the harness. “Not your first rodeo either.”
“Not in the slightest.” She smiled.
“Alright, then. Take a seat.”
Once Aquarius was settled, I dropped to my knees in front of her and helped her slip her arms into the straps that would hold her in place during the flight. I clipped the buckles together and pulled them tight, faltering when Aquarius released a soft gasp.
“That’s not the first time you’ve done that, is it?” she asked, her expression heated. “You’re rather adept at strapping a girl up, hm?”
I laughed. “I know my way around a hogtie, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Aquarius’s eyes glittered. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
With my heart thundering in my chest, I finished strapping her into place. Before I moved away, I held eye contact for a long moment. “I know the earpiece is off, but surely your man”—I tapped my finger against the device—“wouldn’t approve of your flirting with me so blatantly?”
“We have an arrangement.”
A shiver coursed through me. Was I dreaming? An arrangement… Meaning they were in an open relationship? I didn’t dare get my hopes up.
“I’m listening.”
As quickly as the moment had come, it vanished. Aquarius smirked at me with a shrug. “Sorry, we’re not taking applicants right now.”
Little bitch. She’d played me. Somehow that just excited me further and I grinned.
“Happy to interview for the position,” I teased, getting back to my feet.
“We’ll see.”
I shook myself off. I needed to get my head back in the game.
Enough flirting, down to business. “Alright, seeing as this isn’t your first, I won’t waste my breath explaining the details, but once I give you the go-ahead over the radio, you can unfasten yourself and stand right”—I pointed to a hatch in the floor—“there.”
Aquarius’s eyes followed my finger and she tilted her head to the side. “You’re going to drop me out of the plane through a hatch door?” Her face flickered with recognition. “Like the gallows. Hangman. I get it now.”
I grinned. “You’re quick.”
“Occupational hazard.”
I snatched up the oxygen mask from beside her seat and held it out for her, waiting as she fastened it into place.
“Alright, I got it. Let’s get this baby up in the air, shall we?” she said, her voice muffled.
“Happy to.” I paused before hopping down from the passenger compartment to glance over my shoulder. “Try not to pass out.”
“You’ve got some high opinions of your performance,” she teased.
“I’m a master of both G-force and G-spots, darling,” I quipped. “I’ll only be showing you the former tonight, unfortunately.”
Aquarius held my gaze, steady and unwavering over her oxygen mask. “Shame.”
Fuck, she was trouble and I was so down.
“If you feel dizzy, hold your breath, tense your muscles and strain your stomach. It’ll help keep the blood in your brain.”
“Yes, sir.”
Without looking back, I jumped down from the plane.
It was only after closing the door on Aquarius that I allowed myself to release a heavy sigh.
I really hoped neither of us died on this mission.
I was rather looking forward to making good on my promise to interview as a third between this fiery pair.
I made my way around the plane to the cockpit and clambered inside, strapping myself in and tugging my helmet into place, along with my own oxygen mask. Once I was happy everything was in place, I flicked a plethora of switches, shivering as the jet roared to life.
“Test, test,” I said, eyes fixed on the various gauges on my dashboard as I prepared to taxi the sleek stealth jet out onto the runway. It was short, but I had a feeling this thing was almost powerful enough to take off from a standstill, so it wasn’t going to be too much of an issue.
Aquarius’s voice crackled in my ear. “Received.”
“Okay, here we go.”
“No theatrics, please.”
I flinched, Relay speaking in my ear. How long had he been back on the air? Had he overheard my conversation with Aquarius in the passenger compartment? I shook the thought off with a shrug, it didn’t matter. I was only too happy to show him how much I wanted to join in.
“Ah, I can’t promise that,” I replied playfully. I could sense the other man’s disapproval, but he held his tongue.
The jet taxied out onto the runway and soon I was staring down the strip of tarmac into the darkness.
I flicked a few more switches and with a deep breath, I pressed my hand into the throttle.
The jet responded immediately, rolling forward slowly at first before snapping me back into my seat with the force of its acceleration.
I whooped with excitement as the jet took off.
Just as I’d predicted, we were in the air in seconds, disappearing into the dark sky with a deafening roar.