Page 92 of Pack Fever

“You trust me, right?” I ask, extending my hand to help her out.

She blinks, a mix of confusion and uncertainty in her eyes.

“I actually really do.”

We stride through the sleek building, emerging to a sight that takes her breath away—a private jet plane, sleek and imposing, with a red carpet unfurling toward its welcoming doors.

“Oh my God, we’re going on that? You own a plane?” The awe in her voice is matched by the sparkle in her eyes, and I’m fucking ecstatic to hear the excitement in her voice rather than fear.

Leading Danica toward the plan, I can’t help stealing glances at her, absorbing every inch of her excitement. Her face is alight, her eyes glinting with anticipation. It’s a look of pure, unadulterated joy, and it reminds me of why I wanted to share this moment with her.

I guide her gently inside into the small jet plane and into one of the seats, ensuring she’s comfortable before sitting next to her in the plush seating. Our sides touch as we buckle up.

Danica’s attention is flitting around, her knees bouncing slightly. Her excitement is infectious, and a grin spreads across my face.

“It’s going to be safe, right?” she asks, staring over at me with those huge doe-like eyes.

“Of course,” I reassure her. “I only hire the best. And to answer your earlier question, this isn’t my plane, but it’s from one of the best companies I know. We’re in good hands.”

She nods, only half-listening, her gaze already drawn to the world beyond the windows.

As the motor grows louder, we start to move, picking up speed as we start our ascension. Danica’s hand finds mine, her grip tightening as we lift off, the city sprawling out beneath us like a vast, illuminated map.

Watching her, I’m transported back to my own first plane ride, to the thrill of it all. I was glued to the window, staring down at the world. Seeing it again through Danica’s eyes, the experience is intensified. Her breathless, “I have no idea where we’re going, but even if we just do this ride, I’ll be happy,” has me feeling giddy.

“You’re so beautiful,” I whisper, more to myself than to her, as she’s completely captivated by the view below, the city lights dancing in her wide eyes. Her hand squeezes mine tighter, a silent acknowledgment of our shared experience.

At that moment, as we move above the city, the world a blur of lights and shadows beneath us, a realization washes over me. It’s not just the thrill of the ride or the beauty of the night that has me spellbound—it’s Danica, in all her excitement and beauty. And I think, maybe for the first time, I understand what it means to fall in love.

Chapter

Twenty-Two

DANICA

“Am I dreaming this?” The words barely escape my lips as I stand, shrouded in the night’s darkness, embraced by its cold breeze, at the rear of the dilapidated apartment building I call home. The black car that brought us here idles quietly, its presence standing out in this run-down neighborhood. My heart is thumping loudly with joy that I’m back home to see my sister and my mom, fear that we’re going to get caught, disbelief that I’m actually back here. They’re all tangled up as I wipe the tears from my eyes. It’s been too long, and part of me had been resigned to the idea it might be even longer, if not years, before I ever saw them again.

The area is quiet, too quiet. I can’t help but glance over my shoulder repeatedly, half-expecting to see Nexus authorities materialize out of the night. But there’s nothing, just the whisper of the wind and the distant sound of a city.

I’m shaking, trying to rub my arms to warmth but failing miserably.

Seth is suddenly beside me, a large shopping bag in his hand, his long, black coat making him almost blend into the night.

“Let’s hurry up,” he whispers, urgency lacing his words. We dart toward the rear entry, a little-known passage that somehow Seth discovered. I remember him being on his phone for what seemed like an eternity during our drive here. I’d started to suspect something when we arrived in my hometown, a flicker of hope igniting, but I refused to believe it… I’ve learned the hard way not to let hope get the better of me. I never expect good things to happen to me.

But now, as we slip through the back door, that flicker of hope bursts into a flame. The tears are falling, streaming down my face as the reality of being home, truly home, begins to sink in. The driver follows us in, then remains as a guard by the door.

I lead the way upstairs with Seth on my heels. The familiar creaks and groans of the old building are welcoming to me a life I’ve been forced away from.

The hallway is bathed in darkness, our building too old and neglected for the luxury of light sensors or automatic illumination. I don’t dare flip the switch, unwilling to draw any unnecessary attention to our presence. The last thing we need are curious neighbors peeking out or Nexus authorities on the street seeing the light on.

My heart pounds in my chest faster.

Seth’s hand is in mine, and he gives me a strong smile and a nod of his head to tell me I’m not alone. He’s by my side, and I can’t even begin to express how much I need him here.

This place, my home, with its peeling paint and the musty scent of memories long past, holds so much of who I am, who I was before everything changed. The quiet is almost suffocating.

I’m rushing up, my thighs fighting me, but I’m so excited to see my family. At the door, I can’t wait and knock, my pulse thundering. Seth’s hand rests gently on my lower back while my heart’s racing, the sound echoing in my ears.

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