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I relaxed back in my seat. The flight to Aspen was straight through on our plane, making it less than a four-hour flight. Even so, I had to be comfortable. This was a smaller plane. The largest one was capable of bringing the entire family and then some.

When we boarded, Gianna was wide-eyed and staring at it.

I gave her a brief tour, making her aware there was a sleeping area on it.

I wiggled my eyebrows at her., She giggled and told me to forget it.

Her body hadn’t recovered from what I did to her last night.

She swore her knees were still weak. I was proud to hear that.

Satisfying my woman, unlike any other, was always my goal.

She sure achieved it with me. We hadn’t taken off yet.

We were waiting for Malone. We’d gotten here early with Reign. She was seated next to me.

“So Malone is your mom’s cousin, you said,” Gianna stated. I think she was attempting to calm her nerves.

“He’s a second one on her dad’s side of the family. He’s the only one she has any contact with.”

“Why?”

“Her dad was an abusive bastard. When Mama met Daid , he recognized that her dad had abused her and our grandmother. It was more seanmháthair than Mama . She got it from protecting her Mama . They tried to leave a few times, but her dad always found them. That is until Daid came along and made him aware of what would happen to him if he didn’t leave them alone.

I never met him. He relocated to California and started a new family.

I’ll tell you that story one day. Anyway, even his side of the family knew what he was like and had nothing to do with any of them.

Malone made contact after seanathair was out of their lives, and Malone became an adult.

He’s ten years younger than Mama . They’ve been close since, and when he finished law school, Daid , Sean, and Cormac offered him a job.

Over time, he became the family’s lead legal adviser. ”

“I hate it when you hear of families that are abusive and evil toward their own. I want to know what makes them that way. I’m sorry your mom had to deal with that, but it sounds like she found love and safety with your dad,” Gianna said, rubbing my arm.

“She did. When we’re at the house for Sunday breakfast or dinner, you’ll have to ask her to tell you about how they met,” I grinned.

“Sunday breakfast or dinner?”

“Yeah, all of us are expected to come to the main house, unless we’re out of town, for one of those on Sundays. It’s the one time when we can usually be there for a meal.”

“And they’ll want me there?”

“Yes, a stór mo chroí , they will certainly want my anamchara there. And, once your family accepts we’re together, they’ll be invited, though they won’t be commanded like we are.”

“Did I hear someone say Sunday breakfast? I need to come to one. It’s been too long. And no one cooks like your mom and aunts. And to say nothing of Agatha and Seerie,” Malone’s gruff voice said a moment before he popped around the corner.

He was carrying his briefcase and a weekend bag. He smiled at both of us. As he put his travel bag away overhead, I answered him and made introductions.

“You heard right, and you’d better. Gianna, in case you haven’t guessed, this is Malone Kelly, Mama’s cousin and our lead counsel. Malone, this is Gianna DeSantis, bounty hunter extraordinaire and my gorgeous anamchara .”

As I introduced them to each other, he faced us. His eyes widened when he heard that Gianna was a bounty hunter, but they widened even more when I said she was my soulmate. It took him a few seconds to respond.

“Well, I’ll be damned. Another one has fallen. Your parents must be tickled pink. That’s two down, three to go. It’s a true pleasure to meet you, Gianna. And you’ve got to tell me. Was he pulling my leg about the bounty hunter thing?” He held out his hand and shook hers. He smiled.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Malone. Rian has been telling me about you. And yes, he told the truth. I work with my family—my papà and three older brothers. We’re all bounty hunters,” she replied.

As her confession sank in, his eyebrows went up. “Wait a minute. Your father wouldn’t happen to be Alphonso DeSantis, owner of DeSantis Bounty & Bond in Hastings, would he?”

She smiled. “Yes, that’s him. How did you know?”

“I haven’t worked with him myself, but several colleagues have, and they praise him and his team. I had no idea they were his children or that he had such a stunning daughter. If I had, I would’ve visited,” he smirked.

Malone was in his mid-fifties, but he was fit and what people, especially women, called a silver fox. He’d been married when he was younger, but never had a family. It ended in divorce. His wife cheated on him. He had no trouble attracting women and was a flirt.

“You should have,” was her response.

“Whoa, wait a damn minute. Don’t encourage him. He’s a terrible flirt. Don’t play with my heart, Gianna. A man in love will do desperate things to keep the woman he loves,” I warned, only half kidding. I knew Malone wasn’t a threat, but other men would try. She was too ravishing for them not to.

“What he says is true. And while I would’ve gladly asked you out, it’s too late. My cousin had all the luck. Congratulations,” Malone said, grinning.

“Rian, I meant he should’ve stopped by to meet everyone. However, he is a handsome man. I might’ve said yes if I hadn’t met you. You’re my love, remember,” she reminded me.

Unable to resist, I leaned closer and kissed her. As I devoured her sweet lips, I heard Malone chuckling. I took my time. She appeared dazed when I was done.

Malone and Reign were in their seats. My cousin shook his head. “Why the hell can’t I have Irish luck like you, Darragh, and the others seem to have? I’m Irish, too. If I had it, I’d have a loving woman and family. Life is unfair,” He groused. He was partly serious.

“I wouldn’t give up hope. You never know when it might happen. I keep telling my brothers they’ll see one day, though I don’t know if there are women who could stand their bossy asses,” Gianna mused. We all laughed.

Jessica came back to speak to us, interrupting any further talk.

Since there were only a few of us, additional staff, such as a flight attendant, weren’t necessary.

Since the flight was short, there was no co-pilot.

If it became necessary to take over, I could fly the plane.

Like most of my family, I had a license.

“Good morning, everyone. I hope you’re ready for what appears to be a smooth flight. I’m ready when you are to take off, Rian. Is there anything I can get you before we do?” Jessica asked sweetly.

“Thank you, Jess. No, we can make do on our own. But I do want to introduce you to someone. You already know Malone.” I paused. He winked at her, making Jessica shake her head and smile. She nodded her head at Reign.

“This woman next to me is someone you’ll see a lot.

This is Gianna. She’s my soulmate. Leanbh , Jessica is one of our awesome pilots.

She was an Air Force pilot, and when she got out, we snapped her up.

It’s how we got Brett and Jordan, too. Jordan was in the Navy, though.

The military trains the best. Gianna is like you, Jessica. ”

“How so? And it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m glad Rian has found you,” Jessica said nicely.

“It’s wonderful to meet you, Jessica,” Gianna replied.

“She’s like you in that she works in a mostly male-dominant field and has to deal with chauvinistic behavior,” I clarified.

“Oh really, what do you do?” Jessica asked, interested. She and I once had a long talk about how some men still treated women pilots. It was ridiculous.

“I know what you mean. I work as a bounty hunter. My family owns a bail bond office. At first, even my brothers tried to treat me that way until I showed them I was as capable.”

“Darn, we have to get going, but I would love to sit and talk one day. I want to know what it’s like to be you. So fascinating,” Jess told her.

“Same,” Gianna said.

“I think we’re all good to go when you are, Jess, and we’ll have you two get together one day soon,” I promised.

After smiling, she headed back to the cockpit. After ensuring everything was stowed away correctly, we took seats and belted ourselves in.

“I’ve never been on a plane like this. It’s unreal. And the comfort of these seats is absurd compared to a commercial one,” Gianna remarked.

“I know it’s hard after being on one of their planes to fly commercial, even if it’s first class. And not having to deal with long lines on and off or layovers, typically, is fantastic,” Malone said.

And that was the beginning of our flight.

The three of us kept up a steady stream of conversation.

I learned more about my woman as Malone picked her brain about her work and more.

Time flew by, and before we knew it, we were told we were coming in for our landing in Aspen.

At this time of year, there was a lot of snow.

Gianna didn’t have snow gear like she’d need here.

I informed her we’d pick up stuff at Crystal. I had my own, and it was stored there.

???

There was a car waiting for us at the airport. Rather than pull Monty or someone else away from their work, which he would’ve done, I’d assured him we’d get a ride there. I kept a four-wheel-drive SUV here for my use. All I needed was a ride to the Crystal to access it.

Luck was on our side. Opulent Limos, our limousine business, serviced Aspen and the surrounding area, among many others in the States.

It was due to the number of executives, celebrities, and wealthy people who came here to vacation or stay in their secondary homes.

They liked to ride in style. Shane managed that business.

Gianna was surprised when I bundled her up in a coat I had Siv bring over for her to wear for this part of the trip. Once we were in the limo, Gianna remarked on it.