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He snorted at my question. “A trained military man who’ll have our backs.”

We walked inside the terminal and I had no clue how he was going to get us through customs. I had nothing to indicate who I was. When he produced a stack of identification, I had to admit I was impressed.

The metal detector picked up his weapon and the ones in the bag. The attendant glanced from one to the other of us, but the man eventually nodded. I wasn’t certain how this could work, but I had a feeling whatever fake identification had been presented allowed a pass.

Questions were asked and I answered them, although my focus was starting to dim as fear took control. By the time we cleared the line, it felt as if hives had suddenly appeared on every inch of skin.

Great.

That hadn’t happened since I was twelve. Not now. Please, not now. I already looked frightful.

He guided us into the waiting room, immediately searching through the crowd of people. When he suddenly stiffened, I realized he’d seen someone.

I did the only thing I thought would work. I put my arm around him. He tensed even more.

“Just act natural,” I told him. “I won’t bite. Unless you want me to, anyway.”

The joke played out on deaf ears.

“Come on.” We walked slowly toward the gate we were leaving from.

Suddenly, a man appeared, walking toward us.

“Trouble,” I whispered.

“Nope. He’s with us.” Kage seemed relieved when the man approached. He was just as huge as Kage, his dark hair coming in waves down to his shoulders. Sexy as hell, he had a mischievous look in his eyes where Kage always looked like he wanted to kill someone.

“Fancy meeting you here,” the stranger said.

“Yeah? I could think of better places,” Kage told him. “We’re not alone.”

“I’ve seen them. Counted fifteen at this point. They want her real bad.”

“Me?” I asked.

“Stone, this is Juliette.”

Stone grinned, his eyes flashing. “Well, you’re the little lady causing all this trouble. We’ll get acquainted once we’re on the plane. The cargo was dropped so why don’t we mosey on outside.”

He wasn’t asking.

He was telling.

Or perhaps I should say he was warning me. The two men flanked my sides, Tank right by his master’s side as we headed through the airport. Stone was chattering on about something, but I wasn’t paying any attention.

The fear had my heart echoing in my eardrums. It was crazy to think we were going to get away. While I couldn’t see anyone carrying a weapon, with Kage remaining tense, I knew they were close.

Once outside, the sun even with my sunglasses was blinding. Unlike passenger planes with terminals leading to walkways, we walked out onto concrete.

“Where’s the ride?” Kage asked.

“Right there. Ain’t she a beauty?” Stone asked, laughing.

“That’s a Beechcraft Baron, for fuck’s sake,” Kage chastised. I knew that voice of his. Surly. He wore it like another badge of honor.

“Hey, that’s my baby. I dropped a load of booze. We’ll all fit. Need to refuel in Charlotte, but no biggie.”

Stone was sure of himself. I felt Kage’s tension only increasing.