Page 22 of Angel In Armani

“Not that I can think of,” Mal said. “Sounds pretty female to me.”

Damn right she was female. But that was beside the point. He wanted her for her piloting skills, nothing more. Part of his mind snorted at that. Apparently he wasn’t fooling himself very well. Hopefully he was doing a better job with Mal and Alex. “Yes, she’s a woman,” he said. “She’s also an excellent pilot and that’s all I care about.”

“Looks like Lucas has found a way to distract himself from his fear of flying,” Mal said. “Improve the scenery.”

Alex laughed.

Lucas began to wonder why he was friends with them. “I am not afraid of flying. People who are afraid of flying don’t fly multiple times a week.”

“You don’t enjoy it, though.”

“There are many things I do I don’t enjoy,” Lucas retorted. “It’s called being an adult.”

“So this Sara Charles … what is it? Do you like her or something?”

“I told you, she’s a good pilot. I trust her. Isn’t that enough? You said whatever I need.”

Alex raised one eyebrow. “I just want to be clear on what need she’s fulfilling. Because things are complicated enough around here.”

Lucas blew out a breath. “Look, she was the one who flew me down to Sag Harbor when there was that big storm. You know, Margot’s fund-raiser thing.”

“I remember,” Alex said.

“So she was good in a crisis.” He left out the part where she’d left him stranded. Up until that point she had been good in a crisis. Very good.

Very very good, the unhelpful part of him piped up.

He stomped again. “And we need someone who can cope with a bit of chaos.”

“It’s a lot of money for us to spend,” Alex said, still looking somewhat skeptical. “Plus it’ll take some time to organize.”

“Surely one of your companies already has a chopper somewhere that’s not being used? You could lease it to us. Or sublease it or however the hell helicopter financing works.”

Alex shrugged. “Maybe. I’d have to check what’s in the fleet at the moment. And how it’s being used.” He opened his sleek silver laptop and typed something quickly.

Sometimes Lucas forgot just how much money Alex had. His own family was wealthy, but they didn’t keep a fleet of aircraft. “If you do, we can use it, and if it turns out we don’t use it as much as we think or that it’s not working out, we can give it back.”

“You’ve got this all planned out.” Alex flipped the laptop closed. “Have you asked her already?”

“No. I’m not an idiot. It would be cruel to make an offer I couldn’t follow through on.”

Mal nodded. “Yes, it would. As would giving her a job because you like having her around. So you need to be clear why you’re doing this. If you like this girl, then hiring her is not the smartest thing in the world. Just ask Alex.”

“I hired Maggie before I liked her,” Alex said. “And it’s worked out pretty well. But Mal’s right. It’s not an easy situation. If you are interested in her. So are you?”

“That’s nobody’s business but mine right now,” Lucas said.

“That means yes,” Mal said. “Which means it is our business. Literally.”

Lucas threw up his hands. “All right. Fine. I found her … interesting. Is that a crime?”

“No,” Mal said. “Just a potential complication.”

“That’s my problem.”

“Lucas Angelo dating a helicopter pilot,” Alex said. “Must be true that opposites attract.” He grinned then. “Have you introduced her to your mother?”

“No. And we’re not dating yet.” Lucas said shortly. “And even if we were, I would have no intention of subjecting her to that particular can of worms until I have to.” He knew his mother. Knew what her opinion of him being involved with a woman who flew helicopters and had no money was likely to be. He wasn’t going to put Sara through that just yet. Not until he was sure this was more than one of those odd high-intensity sexual things that burned themselves out.

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