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“I owe you,” Addie says.
“It’s fine. I’d do anything for Ryland. Your brother is a really good guy, and after what happened with his dad—uh,your dad…” Welp, that got awkward fast. “Anyway, I’ll get your man out. I’ve got a pretty good track record at swooping in and rescuing people.”
“Good to know. Thank you again, and Knox should be in touch soon.”
After we hang up, I grimace. For a second, I forgot Ryland and Addie share the same piece of shit father. What he did to them…
I shake my head. Musings for another time. Right now, I need to land this jet and prepare for my passenger. Then we turn right back around and get the hell outta Dodge.
Smooth as butter, the jet’s wheels touch down at El Dorado International Airport. The tower instructs me where to park, and there’s nothing left to do but wait for my passenger to arrive. In the meantime, I’ll do my post-flight check and refuel, because the sooner we get out of here, the better.
I know Addie said Knox doesn’t have the emerald, and I hope that’s the truth, because I’m not looking for any trouble. My job is to pick the guy up and get him back home. The last thing I want is to be caught up in an international conflict.
Shit.Maybe I shouldn’t have been so quick to offer to pick this Knox character up. For all I know, he has the entire ColombianPolicía Nacional hot on his tail. Or worse, the cartels.
Too late now. I’m here.
Turning the engine off, I unclip my harness, grab my bomber jacket and open the exit door. A cool breeze lifts the strands of hair framing my face, and I reach back and tighten my ponytail. It’s cooler out than I would’ve imagined, but it feelsrefreshing. Pulling in a deep breath, I lower the stairs and walk down.
My boots hit the tarmac and I lift my clipboard. Step by step, I check the plane over, making sure everything is in tip-top shape. Ever since I crashed my plane for Braxton and his team, I’ve been using the Slater Security jet. Luckily, Dash Slater, a former Delta Force commander, is extremely generous and I have it on loan for the foreseeable future. He and his wife Lake are also quite busy with their new son and currently not doing a ton of traveling.
Post-flight check complete, I glance down at my watch.Where is this guy?As if in answer, my phone rings and I pull it out of my inside pocket and swipe the bar over. “Pyro,” I answer briskly.
There’s a brief pause then a deep, smooth voice says, “I’m calling for Hunter.”
“This is Hunter.”
Another pause, and I’d be willing to bet this guy thought he was calling a man. Typical. I’ve had more than my fair share of dealing with people who’ve underestimated me because of my chromosomes. But I’m just as good of a pilot as, if not better than, most men.
“Hey, it’s Knox.”
“Do you plan on showing up to the airport any time soon?” I ask crisply. Waiting around is a part of my job, and normally I don’t mind, but my gut is telling me the sooner we leave Colombia, the better.
“Change of plans,” he says, and I frown.
“What do you mean?” I ask, suspicion lacing my voice.
“Unfortunately, I’m in a bit of a jam. Any chance you can pick me up?”
“I thought that’s what I was doing,” I respond dryly.
He clears his throat. “I can’t exactly get to the airport at the moment.”
Seriously? He wants me to play Uber?I make an annoyed sound and grit my teeth.
“You can’t just grab a taxi?” I clip out, tapping my clipboard against my thigh, and having no desire to drive through the city.
“Not at the moment, no. Sorry to put you out, Hunter,” he swiftly apologizes. “I know you’re doing me a huge favor, and I appreciate it. You have a lovely voice, by the way.”
His comment catches me off-guard, and I frown. “What?”
“Kind of smoky. Like my favorite top shelf whiskey.”
“I’m sorry, are youflirtingwith me?”
He chuckles and I get the impression he’s used to charming his way out of bad situations. Probably right into a girl’s panties, too. But I don’t have time to play footsie with this guy, and I’m completely immune to his razzle-dazzle bullshit.
“Maybe?” His deep laughter vibrates through the phone and, dammit, the guy sounds sexy as hell. I don’t need this kind of distraction. Not when I have a job to do.