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“Okay,” I say, kind of shocked. “Well, you smell nice.”

He smirks, inclining his head. “It would suck if I didn’t.”

A giggle escapes me, and he turns back around to merge back onto the road, continuing to where we’re going.

“I wish I could say I’m surprised your mother would dosomething so heinous to her own daughter, but I’m not,” Silas says.

“We’ve always been at odds,” I admit. “I prefer leggings like this and loose clothing, while my mother thinks that skirt sets are a better option.”

“She’s got a stick up her ass,” Cassidy snarls. “This will be a good escape from her.”

“She’ll only be worse when I get back,” escapes from my lips, and I press my lips together. It’s too late, the words are out there.

“Hopefully, you won’t be going back,” Silas says. “Let’s just see how this goes, okay? I’m not going to lie to you and say that we haven’t discussed choosing. I don’t want you to be moderately content though. That’s a cop out in life.”

“We want you to be fucking outrageously happy,” Cassidy says, a sad smile crossing her lips as she swipes away tears.

“Why are you crying?” I ask as we drive through the back roads of the airport. We were closer than I realized, which isn’t a surprise since I rarely travel anywhere.

“I hate how much you’ve gone through, and I’m so glad you’re my friend,” she says. “I really am surrounded by men all day where I work, and it’s a nice change of pace.”

“You’re always very aware of how I’m feeling or when I’m in my head. I don’t have many people who give a shit,” I say. “Thank you for being my friend.”

“You now have more people to give a shit than you might be ready for,” Silas says, waiting for someone to open a gate for him to pass through. “Whatever happens, we’re not going anywhere.”

There’s no time to ask him about what he said as the security guard checks Silas’ identification and we pass through the gates.

“Private plane,” Cassidy explains as we pull up at our destination. “I’m driving his car back to his house. Have fun.”

“I still have questions,” I say, watching as Silas gets out of the vehicle.

Unbuckling, I take his hand as he helps me out, and Cassidy comes around to give me a hug.

“Go with it,” she says in my ear, squeezing me. “You’ll be safe.”

The promise makes me relax a little as she gets into the SUV and pulls away.

“The getaway vehicle is gone, may as way come with me,” he teases me.

“Very funny,” I say, following him up the stairs onto the plane. The rest of his pack isn’t here, and we settle into our seats. They’re huge and really comfortable.

“The crew has been asked to turn the lights down as soon as possible. I suggest that you catch up on some of the sleep that’s been eluding you,” he says. At my raised brow, he adds, “I can tell.”

Taking the blanket he offers me, I pull it over me. The crew goes through their pre-checks, and close up the plane. My eyes are already closing by the time we take off, and I hope the nightmares stay away.

Silas takes my hand, leaning in.

“I’m a poor substitute, but I’ll do my best,” he says.

I’m not sure what he means by that, but it’s clear that I’m talking without meaning to. Letting myself drift off, he keeps me anchored as I sleep.

It feels as if my soul was pushed back into my body as I wake up, and my body jerks hard.

“Welcome back,” Silas says gently as the plane begins to taxi across the tarmac. “We just landed, and that must have woken you up.”

“Oh,” I yawn, covering my mouth. “Sorry. I slept really hard.”

“Flying will do that,” he says. “Look out the window.”