Page 2 of Stuck with My Bossy Protector

I pull into a rest stop, my hands trembling as I park the car. I take a moment to collect myself, to breathe. My phone buzzes with missed calls and messages, but I ignore them all. It’s not safe to talk to anyone. Not yet. I need to stay off the grid until I figure out my next move.

Chapter two

Noah

“Am I free to go?” I ask, looking from one stern face to the next.

Agent Fields’ mouth is set in a hard line. I can tell the last thing he wants to do is let me go, but I’ve done everything they asked me to do. After all, I’m not who they want. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Our investigation didn’t turn up anything that implicates you or your business,” he says reluctantly.

“Yeah, like I’ve said from the beginning. I’m not a criminal. What about Vincent? Is he locked up?”

“It’s handled,” he replies.

“Handled? As in, he’s not going to be coming after me?”

“Your biggest worry should be vetting your clients a little better in the future. You don’t want a visit from us again.”

“Good idea,” I smirk. “I’ll make it part of my next marketing campaign. Tundra Charters: we don’t transport drugs.”

He didn’t find my sarcasm funny. Well, I didn’t find him funny, so we were even.

“We’ll be in touch,” Agent Fields says.

“I’d rather you weren’t.”

There is no love lost between us. I get to my feet, half-expecting them to slap some cuffs on me. When they don’t, I leave the office, finally feeling free.

The investigation had lasted too long. I pray it is my last brush with the law. It had been intense. The tension in my shoulders finally eases. Months of stress and sleepless nights melt away as I let out a long, relieved breath. I pull my phone from my pocket and dial my buddy’s number. He’s the only one who knows about the trouble I’ve been dealing with. I certainly couldn’t have anyone finding out I was talking with the DEA. Right now, I am an anonymous witness. I need to keep it that way. Although, I wasn’t foolish enough to believe Vincent and his thugs wouldn’t figure it out.

“Hey, Jack. It’s Noah. Just got out of the meeting with the DEA.”

There’s a pause on the other end. “And?”

“It’s handled. I’m in the clear. They got the guy who was running the drugs. I’m off the hook.”

“Holy shit, that’s great news! I know you weren’t involved, but man, you’ve been through hell.”

“Tell me about it,” I grunt, walking through the parking lot toward my truck. “I had to drop ten grand on a lawyer just to make sure I didn’t get screwed. I need to get back to business—make up for the lost time.”

“Yeah, I hear you. Well, at least you can move on now. Are you sure there won’t be any blowback? Did they nab the whole crew?”

“Sounds like it,” I reply as I slide behind the wheel. “Agent Fields said it was handled.”

“The last thing you need is retribution,” he jokes.

“No kidding. Thanks for having my back through all this. I really thought they were going to throw my ass in prison. They told me to be careful who I fly.”

He laughs. “Yeah, because drug runners often advertise what they are carrying.”

“Exactly what I said. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that the nightmare is over. I’ve got a charter this afternoon, so I’ll catch up with you tomorrow or this weekend. We need to go out and celebrate.”

“Call me. We’ll do it. The first round’s on me.”

I hang up and slip the phone back into my pocket. The relief is short-lived; I still have a lot of work to catch up on. I have been sidelined throughout the investigation. No flying, no money. I’ve burned through a massive chunk of my savings. I need to get back in the air.

I swing by my house, pack my go bag, and head to the airport. On the way, I can see the thick clouds. Snow is coming. This is Alaska—snow is always coming. We are on the precipice of spring, but from the look of the sky, it won’t be long before the flakes start flying.

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