Page 24 of Perfect Storm

Fortunately, we don’t spend a lot of time around Ciro. It was a moment I enjoyed, but there were no feelings involved. Ciro scratched an itch, we did that for each other.

I’m not interested in anyone other than Archer. It might have taken a while for me to get my head around being in a relationship but, he is my great love. The man I want to spend the rest of my life with. Any man who came before pales in comparison.

“So, to brighten your spirits,” Archer says. “Jenna wants to know when you’re free for a birthday party.”

“God,” I shake my head. “I already told her I don’t want a party.”

He laughs. “You think that will stop Jenna?”

I huff, making him laugh more. Turning thirty is not something I want to celebrate.

“You gonna upset the pregnant lady?” he asks.

“Oh God, she will use that as an excuse, won’t she?” I tip my head against the headrest and sigh.

“Yep.”

I don’t answer as the plane decelerates, the wings making that awful whirring sound. I’m not a huge fan of flying, but I’m not afraid of it either. Still, I grip the arm rests as we slam into the runway, which may be a slight exaggeration. It’s a perfect landing. Elsa cheers behind us.

After taxiing, the plane pulls up at a small airport. There aren’t many planes around.

“Where in the fuck are we?” Jack says, leaning over Ciro to see out of the window.

“That looks like the Rocky Mountains to me,” Adrestia says as she unbuckles and gets to her feet. “My guess is we’re in Colorado.”

“Colorado?” Nick asks. “Why the hell would Jordan bring us to Colorado?”

We all get up and I stretch my legs. To prepare for the flight and the unknown destination, I’d forgone my usual attire. I’m wearing workout leggings and a sweater with my sneakers.

Archer grabs my jacket and helps me into it. Jordan said to bring some warm clothes. It’s mild in New York, but the elevation in Colorado is likely to make it much cooler here.

As we get off the plane, the mountains take my breath away. I’ve never seen anything like this in real life.

“Holy crap,” Elsa says from behind me as she ducks out of the door. She is wearing one of those knitted head bands that cover her ears, leaving the top of her head uncovered, and a puffer jacket. “This place is beautiful.”

I have to agree. As we all head down onto the tarmac, a luxury bus with blacked-out windows approaches. I turn to Archer. He’s in as much awe as the rest of us.

We gather as the bus pulls to a stop. Surely Jordan or Alessa will be here now. I can just imagine Jordan jumping out of the bus. But he isn’t the one who steps off when the doors open.

“Mom?”

A few people glance at Jenna. I already know the woman in the ankle-length coat is Jenna’s mom, Sandy.

I’m not surprised. Jordan is forever telling everyone Sandy is his adopted mom. She spends more time with him than she does with Jenna. lately.

“What’s going on, San?” Adam approaches. Sandy waves at him, then pushes past him and heads to her daughter. Sandy is six inches shorter than Jenna. It’s funny to see her trying to envelop her in a hug.

“Mom, why are you here? What is this?” Jenna asks.

Sandy grins. “All in good time,” she taps her nose like the secret will remain hers. “Everyone have a pleasant flight?” she shouts. People mumble in response. “All aboard!” she points to the bus.

I head over and give her a hug, followed by Arch, Nick and Elsa. The Red Alert guys are none the wiser about who she is. But she greets them all as she ushers us onto the bus. The airport staff are loading our bags into the compartment beneath the bus.

“At least tell us where we are.” Jenna is hanging back with Sandy.

“Colorado honey, isn’t it beautiful?”

“We figured that much ourselves,” Jenna says impatiently. “Where in Colorado?”

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