Page 124 of Secret Mission

He’s not even really breathing hard, but if he’s covering the distance between where we dropped him and the estate, he has to be flying.

“But your bed’s not warm on a winter’s night.”

There’s a grumbled reply before I cut in. “While it’s fun as hell to tease you, it’s time for business. Going in.”

A wide, clean helicopter pad waits for us. Just yards from the monstrous house, it’s the epitome of convenience. The place couldn’t scream ‘money’ more than it does.

“Daddy’s really loaded, huh?”

“Pretty much.”

Allison’s voice is too quiet, but I have to focus on getting us on solid ground.

“We’ve got an audience,” I remark as I take us in for the last few feet of descent. “Four guards on the driveway. Intel from home base said there were four heat signatures visible from the satellite, so I think we’ve got everyone here to receive the chopper.”

“Copy, over,” Justice replies.

“Goldilocks, remember your promise?” I ask as I power down the chopper, watching the guards out of the corner of my vision. I brush my forearm over my brow to catch some beads of sweat. “This is gonna happen fast.”

“Yes, I’ll do what you say. Just tell me what to do.”

Rubbing the back of my neck, I set aside the headset as the guards talk among themselves.

Fuck, I’m tense. Can’t think of how many missions I’ve done, but none of them have given me a headache like this.

Of course, there was never a little blonde who has taken possession of my heart involved either. “Beast, JT, we’re on the ground. The games are about to begin. Over.”

She grabs my arm. “Hey, are you okay? I saw you rubbing your neck, and you’ve been off today.”

No. Fuck, no. And I won’t be until we’re out of here. “Just been fighting this headache since we left Vandemora.”

Her brows crease as her hold on my arm tightens. “I’m sorry, did you take anything?”

“Took some aspirin on the plane. Probably dehydrated. Maybe I’ll drink some of Daddy’s French mineral water while we have a look around.”

I half expect Beast to make some remark, but he remains silent.

Assessing the guards as they shift between their feet, and talking among themselves, I reach for the handle on the door.

“Stay put, Goldilocks. I’m coming to get you.”

When I reach her side of the bird, she’s eagerly opening the door.

“Now listen to me. Don’t touch me once I help you out. Don’t look at me like I’m someone you know personally. Got it?”

She accepts my hand as she climbs down, but she hisses on contact. “Your hand is really hot.”

“Course, I am. You’re involved. Let’s go. The clock isn’t ticking, it’s burning. Now, let me do the talking.”

She falls into step, walking silently beside me as we follow the sweeping brick sidewalk toward the house.

Ahead, the guards are perking up. Weapons in the ready.

I toss up a hand casually. “Afternoon. Lucky we beat that storm. Ms. Westerly is here for a quick meeting with her father. She has laryngitis, so I’m speaking for her.”

A peel of thunder rolls across the sky behind us, and all of us turn to look.

“We’ll just wait for his arrival inside. He’ll be coming by car because of the storm.”