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Chapter 18

Not Exactly Cloud Nine But Close

REID

“God,Ifuckinghatethis.”

Despite the godawful time, the airport was still abuzz with activity, and I wanted to go back home.

Mia walked beside me, sticking close as she navigated our way to the private airstrip. “I know,” she said consolingly. “But it’ll all be done soon, I promise.”

I didn’t argue, even though I wanted to remind her that we had a fifteen hour flight ahead of us. Arguing wouldn’t help me feel better. In all honesty, arguing with Mia would just make things worse. I’d always hated flying, so when Mia had proven her worth three times over, I’d happily passed along my international responsibilities to her.

She’d done so much better than I’d even imagined.

But it also meant that I was sorely out of practice when it came to flying. While it wasn’t new to me, the bustling airport was enough to set my teeth on edge.

“Who even flies at five in the fucking morning?” I grumbled, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mia smile.

“We do,” she said, glancing over her shoulder. “Security should check in soon; Terry is going to fly with us.”

“Terry is going to pass out the moment we take off,” I said, amusement tugging at my mouth. Which was probably why she brought it up. “I bet he’s even packed an eye mask for the occasion.” I smiled despite the terror roiling in my gut.

“I wouldn’t be surprised.” Mia giggled.

We walked through the massive airport together, and I cursed the distance.

“I’m still pissed that we couldn’t just take my jet,” I muttered, eyeing the well-dressed crew leaving for a domestic flight.

“We couldn’t get clearance on your jet in time,” Mia explained, and even though she’d explained the same thing to me three times already, her voice was gentle. “But the flight is still private, and Andy’s crew was cleared to fly us there. Plus, this flight has no connections, so we don’t have to stop and do this all over again in another country. You’re in good hands, I promise.”

If it wasn’t for the fight my lungs put up, I might have blushed a little. As forwhyI might have blushed, I refused to think about it.

We walked further and further into the airport, until we finally reached the international departure area. Though it wasn’t nearly as crowded there, it was still a lot, and my chest constricted the closer we got to the check-in.

Mia stayed by my side and we checked in together. I waited while she double and triple checked that our luggage had been checked in as well; private international flights had different policies on luggage and security and would be checked in separately, along with our security team.

Through the gnawing anxiety, I heard Mia thank the woman who’d handed her our tickets, and she turned back to me.

“Shall we?”

“You know, if you keep asking, I might just say no and go home,” I teased weakly, and she smiled.

Soft, gentle, and reassuring. Suddenly, it wasn’t just the anxiety making it hard to breathe.

I cleared my throat, trying to shake the thoughts off. “But yes, let’s get this over with.”

With another smile, Mia led me through security, her hand hovering at my back. I hated to admit it, but it was a comfort I’d come to seek out whenever my anxiety got the better of me. I couldn’t remember when she’d started doing it, only that it had been somewhat of an anchor when I happened to spiral in public.

Terry joined us shortly after security, his massive, hulking figure looming over the rest of the crowd.

“Is everything ready?” Mia asked him.

He nodded once. “All luggage has been checked in and loaded onboard, and our security team has landed in Rio,” he said, his deep voice gruff with disuse.

He never was much of a talker, although I preferred that. His steely, quiet presence was a welcome balm in the madness of the airport.

“Perfect, thanks, Terry,” Mia said. Terry nodded once and resumed his usual stoic expression. “This way.”