Chapter 11
TOMCAT
Eventually, I shifted, giving Linden’s thigh a little squeeze under the water—careful to keep my hand away from temptation. “Water’s getting cold, baby.”
She nodded, sighing softly as I rose, water dripping from my skin as I stepped from the tub.
Grabbing a towel, I wrapped it around my waist before turning back to her.
Linden watched me, her cheeks flushed softly as her gaze trailed along my bare chest. Her stare made my cock twitch again, but I forced myself to stay focused.
I reached for her hand and helped her up, steadying her carefully as she stepped from the bath. Her skin was flushed pink from the heat, her curves glistening in the low light. I quickly wrapped another towel around her, forcing myself to behave as my fingers brushed her bare shoulders.
The intimacy of the moment reinforced my absolute certainty that I’d found the woman who had carved herself permanently into my heart.
I guided her out of the bathroom, my hand lingering at the small of her back as we moved into the bedroom to get dressed.
Linden found fresh clothes from the duffel she’d packed, and I grabbed jeans and a dark tee from my closet, tugging the pants on as I watched her from the corner of my eye.
She was quiet but thoughtful, the curve of her bottom lip caught softly between her teeth as if she were working up the nerve to speak.
I smiled inwardly, curious to see where her questions would lead us.
Finally, she turned to me, a little hesitant but clearly intrigued. “So, Keegan…what exactly do you do for Aegis? I know you fly planes, but I’m guessing there’s more to it?”
I pulled on my shirt, letting it fall into place before facing her fully.
Her green eyes sparkled with genuine curiosity, drawing the truth out of me effortlessly.
“I consult on aircraft designs and test new experimental planes. You’re right, it’s a bit more involved than just flying. I’m there through each step, really.”
“When did you decide that’s what you wanted to do?”
“Started young,” I answered as I walked to the closet and grabbed one of my cuts.
“Graduated high school at sixteen, earned my aerospace engineering degree before eighteen, then joined the Navy as soon as I was old enough. On some level, I think I always knew I wanted to fly.” My lips quirked. “In the air and on the road.”
Linden’s brows lifted, a quiet awe coloring her expression. “That’s impressive. You must have had a sharp mind to have such a clear sense of what you wanted as a kid.”
She padded back into the bathroom and grabbed her brush, then worked on getting the tangles out of her damp hair.
I nodded and walked over to stand in the doorway as I shrugged my cut onto my shoulders. Damn, she was gorgeous.
Mentally shaking my head, I pushed those thoughts away before they spiraled, and she ended up so sore she wouldn’t walk for a week.
“My brain always worked faster than most, but the military sharpened it into something lethal. At twenty-five, I went through the Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program—most people call it Top Gun. That’s where I met Fallon.
We flew together, served together, and survived things that bonded us for life. ”
A smile touched her lips as she stared back at me in the mirror, her expressive eyes conveying her captivation with the intensity of my story. “You mentioned Fallon earlier. It must be comforting, having someone who understands what you’ve been through.”
“It is,” I admitted, my mouth lifting slightly at the corners.
“Flying wasn’t my only role. I was a problem solver.
Contributed to the design and testing of multiple aircraft platforms, earned my master’s and PhD while I was still in service.
That combination of flying and problem-solving gave me clarity nothing else could.
Even now, after leaving active duty, consulting and test-flying keep me sharp. ”
There was an eager sparkle in her eyes that hit me hard. “What about now? What exactly are you involved in at Aegis?”
I led her to the end of the bed and sat her down.
Then I found us each a pair of socks and our shoes before sitting down beside her.
“When I left the Navy, I was stationed at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland—essentially the Navy’s hub for aviation testing and acquisition.
I worked with the Naval Air Systems Command, designing, testing, and integrating advanced air platforms. It’s technical and intense—systems integration, modeling, simulation, and prototyping.
I provided expertise in aerodynamics, propulsion, and avionics, focusing on anything that enhances performance.
And I collaborated closely with major defense contractors like Boeing and Lockheed. ”
Her eyes widened, admiration flickering across her face. “You really did have your hands in every step of the process, didn’t you? From concept to flying the prototype?”
I nodded as I finished lacing up my boots.
“Yeah. Cradle to grave. What I wanted in my life never changed, just how I went about doing it. So, now I work for Aegis on a per-project basis. They hire me to consult on new designs and then test the classified aircraft. It’s complicated work, but I love it, and it’s what I do best.” My eyes drifted to the twisted sheets, and I smirked. “One of the things I do best.”
Linden’s cheeks flamed, and her eyes darted to the ground for a moment, making me chuckle.
“That all sounds amazing and so interesting.” Her voice was laced with genuine interest. “I’m quite intrigued.”
My chest warmed at the excitement lighting her features, and an idea struck me.
“Want to see where I work when I’m not at the clubhouse?
Got an office in a secure building in downtown Riverstone.
I can show you some things—nothing classified above your clearance level, obviously—but it’ll give you a better sense of what I do. ”
Her expression brightened instantly, eyes shining as she nodded eagerly. “I’d love that.”
I stood, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet. “Come on, then, little dove. Let me show you.”
Outside, my Harley waited—chrome gleaming in the sunlight, black and red paint polished to perfection. Linden froze the moment she saw it, eyes wide and her lips parting softly. Nervous anticipation radiated off her, the gentle tremble in her hand giving her away.
“You’ve never been on a bike, have you?” I asked, keeping my tone casual and softly brushing my thumb over her knuckles to steady her nerves.
She shook her head slowly, her gaze darting between me and the motorcycle.
“No, never.” A hint of anxiety slipped through her voice. “And, um, isn’t it, um, a really big deal for a guy in an MC to let a woman ride with them?”
A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth as I cupped her chin, forcing her to look at me fully. “Little dove, I told you—you belong to me.” My voice lowered, the next words carrying a deeper meaning. “The spot behind me on my bike belongs to you and no one else.”
The anxiety faded from her eyes, replaced by warmth and hope. I lowered my helmet onto her head, helping her secure it before climbing onto the Harley. As she settled behind me, I felt her tense, the anxiety returning. “Relax, baby. I’ll never let anything happen to you.”
I felt her body soften as her arms wrapped tightly around my waist, and her body pressed snug against my back. She’d given me her trust, believing that as long as I had her, she’d be safe.
“Hold tight.” I started the engine, the powerful vibration rumbling beneath us as we pulled onto the road.
The drive into downtown Riverstone was quick, traffic sparse in the late morning.
Linden stayed quiet behind me, peering around my arm with quiet curiosity as I navigated through familiar streets.
My office wasn’t located in some nondescript business park; instead, it occupied a secure floor in a sleek, modern building downtown—a facility owned outright by the Hounds of Hellfire.
Which was the only reason I felt safe bringing her here now. I knew it was safe.
The building housed various legitimate businesses, all run or owned by a brother. So this building was as secure as places like Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory because it was also one of the places the MC used for sensitive work—usually involving our disappearance operation.
Once inside, I led her to the front reception area, lifting my chin to Cal, who operated the desk and acted as the gatekeeper—essentially the first line of defense. He wasn’t a big guy, so people often underestimated him, but they very quickly learned not to fuck with him.
“Need a box?” he asked.
I nodded and waited until he handed me a container the size of a shoebox, then turned to Linden.
“You’ll have to leave all of your electronics—anything with a signal, even your earbuds.
” Linden’s brow rose, and I explained further as I started adding my items to the box.
“It prevents the accidental or intentional exfiltration of classified, proprietary, or sensitive data. Small devices like earbuds, smartwatches, and phones can record, transmit, or store data, bypassing security protocols and creating severe cybersecurity and espionage risks.”
She looked at the container. “That’s a Faraday cage?”
I nodded, pushing it closer to her so she could put everything she needed to leave inside it. Faraday boxes were signal-blocking containers, RF shielded enclosures that basically turned electronics into nothing but a useless brick.
“A lot of sensitive information passes through here, so security is tight. The club sometimes works with highly classified, sensitive materials in support of one of our business interests. And several of my brothers work as civilian contractors like me, who deal in secret shit too. The clubhouse is almost as secure, but on a smaller scale, with a SCIF room to work in a shielded place.”
Linden blinked, clearly taken aback by my explanation.
“Yeah, it’s a lot to take in.”
“I’ll say,” she agreed.
I chuckled as I closed the box and pushed it back over to Cal, receiving a claim ticket in return.
Then I led Linden over to a wall panel where I swiped my badge and bent my knees to lower my body, so my eyes were at the right level to be scanned.
The red light turned yellow, and a small keyboard lowered from under the panel.
I typed in a password, and the yellow light turned green before the keyboard melted into the wall once again.
When the door swung open, I led her through it, and we walked down a hallway that led to my private office.
Linden’s gaze was wide and intrigued as she glanced around at the polished floors, sleek furnishings, and modern aesthetics.
I noticed that her perceptive eyes didn’t miss all of the security measures that carefully secured the facility that was obviously hiding things that were significant, sensitive, and possibly dangerous.
When we entered my office, she glanced around at the sophisticated setup and murmured, “You weren’t kidding about this place.”
Her gaze landed on my workstation, where computer screens displayed intricate aircraft schematics, design files, and performance analytics.
The sleek drafting table in the corner was cluttered with sketches, blueprints, and reference materials.
Models of aircraft, ranging from fighter jets to experimental designs, were displayed meticulously on built-in shelving.
Linden approached cautiously at first, as if afraid she might disrupt something important.
But as soon as her eyes landed on the sketches and schematics, her expression shifted.
Her green eyes widened again, but this time they lit up with an interest that confirmed what I’d already figured out—she was perfect for me.
“Oh my gosh,” she whispered, her fingers reaching toward a sketch of a sleek, next-generation stealth jet, pausing just short of touching it, her fascination obvious. “This is incredible.”
“Go ahead,” I urged quietly. “You can look through anything here. The classified shit is hidden away when I’m not here.”
She hesitated only a second more before her fingers brushed lightly against the page, her expression thoughtful and intent as she studied the design details.
“I’ve always found this stuff fascinating.
Aerospace engineering, aircraft design…I think it’s why I took the job with Aegis.
Even though it was mostly just data entry, it put me close to this world.
” She paused, a hint of vulnerability in her voice as she added softly, “And it made me feel closer to Carson. He loved flying, but he also loved the tech and being a test pilot.”
The emotion in her voice had my feet automatically moving closer to her. I brushed her hair over one shoulder, exposing her neck, and placed a soft kiss there. I smiled when she shivered and tossed a heated glance back at me, her mind successfully diverted from her grief.
She went back to studying the plans, and I watched her for a minute, then asked, “Have you ever thought about pursuing aerospace engineering yourself? You’ve got the mind for it.
The way you see patterns in data, how quickly you catch details—those are some of the skills you’d need to excel in design. ”
She looked up at me in surprise, her cheeks coloring softly at the unexpected praise. “Really?”
“Absolutely,” I confirmed. “You have a natural aptitude for it. I’d bet money you’d thrive.”
A thoughtful smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, but before she could say anything, I spoke again, making sure my voice left no room for misinterpretation. “But only if you stay local. I don’t want you going off somewhere else. Not when you belong here—with me.”
Another flush of heat rose swiftly to her cheeks, but she didn’t look annoyed or put off by my demand. Instead, her eyes warmed, and that little spark of something that looked like hope shimmered in the green pools. She tilted her head slightly as she replied, “I’ll think about it.”
“Good,” I murmured with a nod.
She gave me a playful shrug, “About staying local too.”
The cute challenge in her voice had me fighting a smile. I slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her against me as I murmured against her ear, “Oh, you’ll do more than just think about it, little dove. That part wasn’t a request.”
She laughed, her body relaxed and at ease in my hold. The fierce protectiveness I’d felt since the moment I met her quieted into something deeper, steadier, and more intense. Something I knew would never fade.