Page 20 of First Bite
Chapter Eight
Cole’s pissed off mood since rushing me out of the house hadn’t changed. We raced the car up around the house and to an open area where a large helicopter was waiting.
“You a pilot too?” I asked, trying to get him back in the mood he was in before he kissed me.
“Yes. All of us can fly as you witnessed with Zac already,” he answered as he slid his phone in his pocket and swung his door open.
“Okay,” I stammered, and the next thing I knew, Cole used his vamp speed to race to my side of the car and open my door.
“We need to move quickly,” he said, studying me.
He helped buckle me into the co-pilot side of the state-of-the-art helicopter and handed me headphones to place over my ears. Cole wasted no time in stepping up into the pilot’s seat, pulling on his headphones, flipping switches, and getting the rotors turning. The blades became a blur, and the helicopter lifted. I smiled when I felt my spirit lifting with it. I’d never been in a helicopter before, and this was officially awesome.
The helicopter glided over the tall mountains and treetops, leading us away from the terrain and over a massive lake, giving me a breathtaking vantage point. All of my cares, stress, and curiosities fled with the solace of flying in the chopper. I thought of nothing more than how exhilarating and peaceful the ride was. Most likely the calm before the storm—but I wanted to stay away from those negative thoughts right now.
I knew Cole was about to drop something big on me. My other three guys were out there plotting something while we were abandoning the hideout with no explanation. My stomach got sick every time I let my mind drift, so I ignored those thoughts and focused on this surreal feeling of soaring through the air in the helicopter.
“Doing okay?” Cole’s voice came over the headset.
“This is astonishing,” I said, smiling at him.
His eyes were covered by his aviator sunglasses when he grinned, and then he turned back to the instruments of the helicopter again. I remained focused on this experience, staying free from any life-altering conversations that awaited me when we arrived at our new destination.
I realized I’d quickly lost track of time when a clearing came into sight. It was a secluded airstrip surrounded by red mountain landscapes. I didn’t know where we were, but by the look of the private jet, it was apparent this wasn’t our final destination.
The helicopter was on the ground, and I was being helped by two men in jumpsuits toward another sleek, billionaire-type jet.
Cole was right behind me, thanking the staff that greeted us. The plane was set up just like the one Zac used to get me out of California. I guess being immortal vamps for all these years came in handy on the money end of things.
“Wow,” I said as I let out a breath. “Where do you guys get jets like these?”
“We have our connections,” Cole answered. “Have a seat and buckle up, please. I’ve got to go over a few things with our pilots before we take off.”
That was the last I saw of Cole until the plane was up at cruising altitude. When Cole finally returned to me, I was still buckled in my seat. I’d been staring at a screen that was showing me that we were over Colorado.
“Are you hungry? You didn’t get breakfast yet.”
“I’ll take some fruit and water if there is any,” I said. “And can you tell me where we’re going?”
“A new location no one knows about but my cousins and me,” he answered then looked toward the front of the plane. “Hey, Lisa?”
“Yes, Mr. Banner?” a dark-skinned, hazel-eyed woman answered coming toward us.
“Can we get some fruit, water, and a meat and cheese tray sent out. I’ll have a bourbon also.”
Her dark cheeks painted red, locking eyes with Cole. “Anything else?”
“That’s it, thanks.”
Cole disappeared after showing me how to access the computer, tablet, and television in the open area where I sat, and I was left alone to wonder what exactly he was doing at the back of the plane. Since it was set up like the plane Zac and I flew on, I was sure he was probably avoiding me in the back bedroom section of the aircraft.
“Screw this.” I stood up and headed toward the back of the plane.
I wasn’t going to be intimidated by Cole or left alone to with my thoughts.
“Hey!” I said after I found him sitting at a desk studying his computer. “You plan on ignoring me this entire flight?”
“I’ve got shit I’m handling. I’m not trying to be a dick, I just need to make sure the guys are good, and the place we’re headed is cleared before we get there.”
