They didn’t end on a friendly note, and that Graham was handsome, funny, had a big heart, and was amazing in bed.
There was no way some Scottish man hadn’t scooped him up.
In fact, Michael would bet all the money in that briefcase that he was happily married, had a few kids, and a life.
Unlike him.
Yeah, he had money now, but not one penny of it made him feel alive like being poor with Graham in their off-base housing had made him feel.
It was ironic that he’d taken on being an Archangel to make their futures secure, only to not have him in his future.
Thank God he wouldn’t see him. His existence was embarrassing, and the last thing he wanted to do was to have to come face-to-face with his past.
It might break him the rest of the way.
As he saw the‘buckle your seatbelt’sign come on, he did just that. The sleek jet dipped, and they began coming in for a landing.
When his smart watch chimed, he glanced down at it. On it, he could see the coordinates to the castle, and that was the last piece of the puzzle for him.
Now, he would get there, maybe grab some food, and call it a night. Since he knew the castle had a full-time caretaker, he knew there would be food in the fridge for him to peruse.
Since he was losing six hours with this flight, tonight would be about acclimating to the time change.
Tomorrow, he’d see the village there, and figure out how to blend in with the surroundings.
As the wheels touched down, he felt the bounce, and then, they taxied to a slow roll.
Getting up, the flight attendant met him at the door, and smiled.
“Elizabeth and Callen had all of your things shipped ahead, so your clothes are already at the castle. All you have to do is go there.”
Well, that worked for him.
“Have a good time,” she offered.
Oh, well, he just wanted to not cry, and he might be okay.
Instead of saying anything, he nodded, and slipped into the backpack that carried the money and envelope.
When the steps were lowered, he climbed out, and not far away was an airport employee with the bike beside him. It was a tricked-out bike like the ones the Blackhawks had at home, and Michael was excited.
He loved to ride.
Granted, he loved to ride with a partner, but that was never happening. Riley wasn’t a bike guy, and thinking about Graham and the times they’d done just that…
It hurt.
Now, it was just him.
And that was likely how it would always be.
“Aye, Mr. Graves, this bike is for you,” the man said. “Jackson James says dinnae go gettin’ yersel’ banged up, or his missus’ll be stormin’ in like a huffy banshee. She wanted ye buckled in somethin’ safer, aye? So zip it, laddie, no lip!”
He laughed.
God, but he missed hearing someone talk with a Scottish accent and slang.
As for Elizabeth, yes, yes, she would be, and while he appreciated that, he didn’t mind the bike.
