“Carter,” I continue, shifting my attention. He doesn’t move, just waits for his orders like a soldier. “You’re our marksman. Keep your head clear, take out the ones in charge - that’s your priority.”
He nods once, mentally taking notes on what to do.
“Flynn,” I say, meeting his gaze. He’s already leaning forward, hungry for the feast. “You’re our control. Doors, exits, and the flow of the room. No one gets in or out unless you allow it. We’re not losing a single girl, you understand me?”
His jaw flexes, but he nods, voice firm. “Understood.”
Finally, I look to Ant. He doesn’t ask, doesn’t need to. His silence speaks for itself by the way his body tenses, preparing for battle. “You,” I tell him, my voice dripping lower. “You’re shadowing Mandy. If she so much as stumbles, you make sure no one touches her. You move when she moves. You stop when she stops. She’s yours to protect. You let nothing get in your way.”
His eyes flicker, dark and sharp, and he gives me a firm nod.
I sweep my gaze back over the room, over my family, my crew, the people I’ll kill for without hesitation.
“We get in. We cut them down. And we take every girl out with us, so eat. Drink your coffee. Say your prayers if you’ve got any left. Because tonight, the world will know the Ashford brothers are back for good.”
The room stays quiet as everyone looks towards me, and I push away from the table, standing straight.
“Get packing, we’ve got a plane to catch.”
CHAPTER 38
ANT
The tarmac lightsglare against the fog as we exit our cars, walking towards our father’s plane. The pilot stands at the foot of the steps, greeting Axel first with a firm nod before letting the rest of us climb aboard.
Inside, it smells like leather and money. Cream seats, soft lighting, the faint hum of the engines already warming up. Axel takes Eva straight to the front, sitting her beside him like she’s untouchable. Gunnar drops into a seat opposite Carter, already cracking open a bag of pretzels like it’s a long road trip instead of a four-hour flight. Flynn seats himself near the aisle, eyes still sharp, even though he tries to pretend he’s relaxed as he pulls his headphones out.
I walk past them all, heading towards the back of the plane, needing time to be alone.
Mandy walks onto the plane, her dress flowing against the breeze as she leaves the cold. She locks eyes with me, giving me a wink before dropping into the seat behind Eva.
The door seals shut, and the engines roar as the plane moves along the runway, gaining speed, ready to take off. Axel whispers something into Eva’s ear, and she slaps him on the shoulder, her head tilting back as she laughs.
I open my laptop, doing last-minute research into the hotel, trying to find every detail we will need for when we arrive.
After an hour in the air and countless searches, my phone buzzes beside me.
Mandy: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to join the Mile High Club?
I lift my head, looking over the seat in front of me, seeing her looking down as she stares at her phone, waiting for a reply.
Me: Behave.
Three dots appear instantly.
Mandy: That’s not a no.
Mandy: Bet you’d ruin me against that tiny bathroom sink.
Mandy: Fist in my hair. Your cock down my throat. Think anyone would hear me gagging over the engines?
Heat punches low in my gut, and I reach down, rearranging my trousers as my cock strains against it.
Me: Stop.
She twists in her seat just enough so I catch her eyes full of mischief. She holds my gaze for a second before turning away, typing again.
Mandy: You can tell me to stop. Doesn’t mean I will.