Jake started speaking to the ticket agent in what Peyton assumed was Finnish. When Jake nudged Peyton, Peyton smiled at the girl, holding out his hand to shake.
She did, and he poured the full force of his Prime into her, feeling slightly sick to his stomach as he did.
He didn’t like doing this to a clueless human, even for something this important. The farmer, sure, that was a necessity, but Peyton had limited the amount of the lie to something that would easily stand up should he ever be questioned.
There was a possibility this woman would get into trouble later, but it couldn’t be helped. Five minutes later, not only did they have two first-class tickets to Heathrow on a flight leaving in less than an hour, they also had an airport police escort to the plane, bypassing security, where they were introduced to the flight crew and boarded first.
Peyton didn’t say a word, limiting his interaction to shaking hands and smiling when Jake indicated.
By the time the flight prepared to take off, while the cabin crew was going through the safety instructions, Peyton started to relax.
Maybe, just maybe, they’d pulled this off.
Peyton leaned in close and whispered, “Do I even want to know what you told them and who they think we are?”
Jake smiled, looking at him and doing a damned good snooty British accent. “Probably not, Mister Bond. MI6 frowns upon revealing Crown secrets, you know.” He held a finger to his lips, indicating silence, but his gaze twinkled with what Peyton imagined was probably the first mirth the man had felt in decades. He continued in his own voice. “I mean, I hope James Bond is still a thing. Roger Moore was my favorite Bond. Is he still around?”
Peyton closed his eyes and struggled not to break into howls of laughter.
Chapter Forty-Five
Peyton
Jake didn’t act nearly as cocky when their flight landed in London. Peyton could tell from the stunned look on his face as he got an eyeful of the landscape below them during their final approach that the man had finally processed he was about to experience a culture shock of thermonuclear proportions. They remained in their seats as the plane emptied because the pilot had been instructed to walk them out last.
Once the pilot joined them, he personally led them off the plane. From that point on, with every person they were handed off to, Peyton shook their hand while Jake took over, his British accent improving with every interaction. And now Peyton could understand the conversations and participate accordingly.
Less than an hour after deplaning and setting foot on British soil, they sped away from the airport in a rental car with Peyton behind the wheel, following written directions on a piece of paper, thanks to the rental car agency manager’s helpful map.
Jake was fascinated as he studied the car’s controls, the LED display screen, and all the new bells and whistles.
And Jake blinked in shock watching Peyton punch the button to start the engine.
“So, you want a job as an Enforcer?” Peyton asked. “That was brilliant thinking on your feet. Honestly? I don’t know if I would’ve had the chutzpah to successfully do that with such aplomb after all I’ve been through. That was damned ballsy. I’d planned to talk my way onto trains to make it back to London. Before I met you and realized exactly where I’d ended up, that is.”
The man reclined his seat once he figured out the controls. “Sure, if you need me. Hell, I’ll be happy to settle for indoor plumbing, hot water, and three warm meals a day instead of money.” Now the man’s voice thickened, filled with emotion. “I can’t wait to hug my boy again. I always hoped one day…” He turned his face to the window but didn’t continue.
“Well, you have a pack now. Even if you don’t want to be an Enforcer working in the field, you’re still on the payroll. The house Carl and Mateo live in with Tamsin and her baby is big enough for you, too. And we’ll be building them a new one. You can help them protect her until she returns home. From there, we’ll figure out what’s next for you.”
Jake looked at Peyton. “I can never repay you. I don’t know what kind of fighter I am, or how much use I’ll be, but I’ll help.”
“You’re obviously resourceful. We need that. Hell, you took my ass down. Plus, you’re not known by anyone. That’s a bonus. Not to mention you speak Russian, and who knows, we might need that.”
“Yeah, well, had it been a fair fight, I wouldn’t have stood a chance against you, and I damned well know it. That was sheer desperate luck once I realized what you were. Any chance I can get a piece of Ray Dorland’s hide when it comes time to take blood?”
“If possible, yes. Depending on the circumstances. If we prove he’s involved and can’t immediately take him, we’ll issue a blood edict. At that point, dead is better than in the wind, as this bullshit with Faegan proves.”
An hour later, they turned in at a gated driveway. Peyton pulled up to the intercom and hit the button.
Trevor himself answered, sounding understandably wary. “May I help you?”
Peyton finally felt like relaxing. “I sure as hell hope so, dude. Sorry to drop in unannounced, but you’ll understand why shortly. Did Ken and my package make it here yet?” He stuck his head out the window and waved at a video camera mounted above the gate.
Trevor’s shocked response was lost in the buzz from the gate switch being activated. Peyton didn’t wait around to see if Trevor said anything else, pulling the car through once the gate opened wide enough.
The man was waiting outside when they pulled up, his face a mix of joy and astonishment.
“Peyton! You blessed cunt, you’re a sight for sore eyes!” He nearly knocked Peyton over with the strength of his hug.
