Page 72 of Unhinged Cravings
“It’s like dealing with a bunch of juveniles,” I muttered. “Did you get the coordinates I sent you?” I needed to bring the focus back, and if I didn’t know better, I would have questioned why Mason kept Tyson around. But I knew better and as much as the man played, he was a beast.
“Got ‘em. But you and Riley are hitching a ride on my plane.”
My hands clenched. “No. We go separately.”
Mason stepped forward, rolling his neck. “I know you like to think you’re in charge?—”
“I am in charge,” I sneered, my hackles rising. As much as Riley had forced a truce between us, the feud still existed between me and Mason. It always would. Two alphas trying to lead the pack were bound to butt heads. Raines was the only one content with assuming the beta position.
Riley wrapped her arm in mine, running her hand down my bicep.
“So you keep assuming.” He crossed his arms. “But I’m dissenting on this. We fly as a team, keep your top men with us and I’ve got Ty. My men and the rest of yours take your plane. They fly in first, in case it’s a setup. We land after, giving us time to know if your brother ambushed the first plane. The Omens won’t know you aren’t on it.”
It was a valid point and a smart move. One my brother would likely not expect. That sixth sense I had about Emerson told methis wasn’t a setup, that he was being truthful, but taking precautions was something I never failed to do.
“Fine, but if Raines pulls his dick out, expect my bullet to rupture his balls.”
“Damn, that’s low even for you, Tides,” Tyson said. “But not a bad idea the next time I need to teach someone a lesson.”
“So no cheese curls for the ride to Seagate? Then I’m snagging some from this plane.” Casey said, her cheerful personality grating on my patience already. Ava exuded that same constant excitement, like she’d combust if she wasn’t bouncing around and chattering. I usually hid in my office the days she came to visit or sent Riley to her apartment so they could do their girl’s day out thing.
Thinking of Ava reminded me of the time crunch, and I glanced back at Den, who looked about ready to explode he was so eager to go.
“Den,” I called to him. “You oversee Mason’s men. When you land, you are not to leave the plane. No one gets trigger-happy. If they do, you put them down. I’m sure Brinks understands the importance of his men having constraint.”
“I do. But it’s Tyson you need to worry about, not my other men.”
Den gave me a nod of understanding and gathered up the men. It would keep his mind off Ava if he was in charge. Otherwise, I would have had him with me. He needed the distraction.
I turned back to see Tyson flexing his muscles. He was ready to hit something and if he was this wound up after a blow job, I didn't want to think of him without the release.
With everyone rounded up, we boarded Mason’s plane. Riley guided me to a seat she assured me Tyson wouldn’t have been in and waited for my plane to take off. I leaned forward, my nerves high. We were walking into enemy territory on the guarantee of safety from a man who had been my adversary for twenty-five years. The chance was high that this could blow upin my face. That I would end up dead, taking everyone else with me.
“This isn’t like you, Tides,” Mason said, leaning back in his seat and crossing his ankle over his leg. Casey sat next to him, her feet tucked under her, a bag of cheese curls in her hand. “You don’t rush into things.”
I didn’t. The only time I ever had was when I chased Clint Randall down to save Riley. “This is more your thing, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t done it. Remember, I was taking down my enemies when you were still running around the schoolyard.”
Angie’s shrill laugh came from the other side of Tyson. Her head peeked around him. “You mean when Riley was running around the playground.” My jaw ticked at the dig. I narrowed my eyes at her and she shrank back. “Damn, I thought Mason was scary.”
“Does she ever shut up?” I asked Mason.
“No,” Casey said randomly, her eyes focused on her snack, her fingers poised to grab her next victim.
“Ouch, Casey.”
“It’s true.”
“And why don’t you defend me?” Angie asked, elbowing Tyson.
“Cause it’s true, little viper. Your mouth only stops when my cock is filling it.”
My head thumped back in the seat, and I glanced over at Riley, who gave me an understanding smile. She took my face in her hands and gave me a kiss.
“Dealing with your family is going to be the death of me,” I mumbled.
Mason snickered, but I kept my focus on Riley. Taking her hand, I rubbed her thumb with mine. “How are you doing?”
She was worried about Ava but wasn’t showing it. My strong girl, who wanted to run with the big boys and play our game. Itkilled me that I was putting her in danger, but it had been no use arguing with her.
