Page 26 of Rush

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Frank pulled the blanket up higher on Caroline’s slender body. Smiling, he kissed her forehead and walked back toward Dalton. He’d known her since she was a baby and thought of her as a little sister. The idea of someone trying to kill her did not sit well with him.

“Is she sleeping?” asked Dalton. Frank nodded. “Brother, when I saw that car coming up on you two, my heart stopped. The thought of someone going after Calla makes my blood boil. I can only imagine what Rush is going through.”

“Did you ever come up against Grigoryan?” asked Frank.

“No,” said Dalton, shaking his head. “But I heard the stories. He’s like a locust, diving into countries and using up their people, destroying their systems and infrastructure. And when he has what he wants, whether it’s money or power, he leaves. Did you go up against him?”

“Yes. More than once,” said Frank with a frown. “I’m happy to protect Caroline, but I would give anything to put a bullet in that man’s head. I saw what he did to the women and children in a village outside of Al Taibah. I don’t ever want to see that again.”

“Do you think she’ll listen to everyone and stay put?” asked Dalton.

“Yea, I actually do. Caroline is smart, and she’s seen what happens when we aren’t listened to. Besides, there are enough animals to distract her, plus she has her final semester of vet school.”

“Get some sleep, brother. I’ll keep watch,” said Dalton.

Frank nodded, leaning back and closing his eyes. Dalton knew that because of the technology of the jet, they wouldn’t even be seen on radar, let alone tracked. But he didn’t want to take any chances.

He stared at Caroline, remembering his own budding love for Calla. She was so much younger than him, yet had the courage to ask him for coffee one morning. It wasn’t that he hadn’t noticed her. He had. How could he not? She was beautiful and curvy, and, damn, could that woman make his body shake when she walked by.

He would go berserk if someone touched his wife. Knowing how big Rush was, he knew that if anything happened to Caroline, they wouldn’t be able to control the man. Sauntering toward the pilots’ cabin, he ducked his head in, seeing Doug and Chipper at the helm.

“Everything cool?” he asked.

“All good, Dalton. Nothing on our radar, and no signs of anyone attempting to track us. We should be home in a few hours,” said Doug.

“Thank you, Doug. We probably don’t say thank you enough to you, Chipper, Evie, and Savannah. Molly too, when we need extra pilots. I know we’re going to be glad to have Autumn, but maybe now you can relax a bit.” Doug laughed, shaking his head, Chipper too.

“Son, you don’t get it. This is relaxation for us,” smiled Chipper. “I don’t have anyone asking me to stay home, but Doug does. But then what? Miguel and him stare at one another for the remainder of their days?” Doug smirked at the younger man.

“He tried to get me to learn mahjong. I thought I’d shove those damn tiles down his throat,” said Doug. “I need to fly like you need to train or kiss your wife.”

“Now that I understand,” smirked Dalton. “Maybe just let the others know you still want to take some of the smaller trips. It’s not like we can’t use you both.”

“We’re working on it,” smiled Chipper. “For now, how about you get us some food and something to drink. Tomato juice for me.”

“Apple juice for me,” said Doug.

“Coming right up,” smiled Dalton.

By the time they landed, Caroline was awake again, gathering her items. She’d no sooner stepped off the plane when her phone rang.

“Are you alright?” asked Rush. She laughed, shaking her head. It seemed the tracking tools were working just fine between the two of them.

“I’m physically fine,” she smiled into the phone. “Emotionally, I’m a wreck. I miss you so much already, Rush. I’m aching for you. I don’t like the feeling of being away from you.”

“Fuck, baby. Me too. I know I don’t have to tell you this, but please stay on the property. I wouldn’t put it past Grigoryan to try and find you.”

“I know,” she said, nodding. “Frank and Dalton both talked to me about it.” She looked up, seeing the caravan of ATVs coming toward her.

“I love you, Caroline. I don’t ever want to be without you again. Just be safe, and we’ll be together soon.”

“I love you, too, Rush. If I’m not mistaken, the wedding planning caravan is about to arrive and sweep me away. I feel as though cake, flowers, and taffeta are in my future.” He laughed.

“Go, baby. Whatever you want, that’s what our wedding will be. I don’t care, as long as you’re my wife.”

“I’ll be your wife, Rush. And when you get home, we’re going to practice some more things in our bedroom. Ours. Just to see exactly how far my body will stretch.” Laughing into the phone, she bid him farewell and then ran toward her mother, great-grandmother, aunts, and others.

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