“Well, sign me up for that. I had always heard that airline food was horrible.” For whatever reason, this earns another round of laughter.
“It is—if you fly commercial. We’re just spoiled, and soon you will be as well.” We quietly sit and eat as I contemplate his words. I know he was only joking, but I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this level of wealth. Don’t get me wrong, they all work very hard for their money. Even though we were away for a mini vacay, they both worked while we were there. Same as when Declan helped me with the horses. He managed to squeeze in work in the short time we were there. Now that I’ve peeked into the insides of their lives, I can see that they are nothing like the spoiled playboy manwhores the tabloids have made them out to be. In fact, I wonder when was the last time any of them just kicked back and relaxed.
We’re all fairly lost in our own thoughts as we eat, or just so damn hungry that we’re unwilling to let talking take up time we could be chewing. Kai gets up to make tea and coffee, but I refuse, my soda being enough for me. While he does that, Jaxon cleans away the crumbs and empty platter because that’s all that’s left.
“I’m going to grab a quick shower,” he tells me once that’s done, disappearing into the bathroom.
When Kai comes back with his mug of coffee, he folds the table back into the wall of the plane, handing it off to me while he nudges me to the side and changes the seats into their bed form. With all of our seats laid out, we basically have a double bed. Kai takes his coffee over to the couch that runs along the opposite wall.
I’m debating whether to join him or not when Jaxon comes back out in a fresh set of clothes.
“Do you want me to drop the other side for you, or are you going to sleep there?” Jaxon asks Kai as he grabs pillows and blankets for the two of us.
“No, I’ll nap here, just throw me some bedding. I want to do some more research on that hockey team I was looking at on the way over, and I need to make sure those contracts were sent to the brothers.” Just like that, he proves the point I was figuring out for myself. Although he looks like an adrenaline junkie with too much money, the reality is so different.
“Okay, but don't forget you were in an accident yesterday too,” Jaxon cautions as he hands him the bedding. “Your body needs to recover too.”
Kai smiles at his brother, a teasing glint in his eye. “I’ll sleep,Dad. I promise this won’t take long. Why don’t you worry about making sure our girl gets a good night’s sleep?”
He says this a little suggestively, and I start to hope that Jaxon might make up for Kai’s earlier lack of attention. But he helps me into bed then climbs in on his side, pulling the fluffy blanket over the both of us. He gathers me in his arms and spoons me from behind, the two of us fitting together in a way that’s perfect—ridiculously comfortable, much too close for my self-control, and utterly safe. I can smell him, that freshly washed scent that makes me want to sink my nose against his skin and just breathe him in. I wiggle a little, trying to get comfortable.
“Sleep, Harlow. There’s plenty of time for us to play once you're back to full health,” Jaxon whispers in my ear, his breath tickling across it.
I take him at his word, and as the lights in the cabin dim and Kai switches on a lamp above him, I feel my eyes get heavy. With the warmth and comfort of Jaxon behind me, I drift off.
Chapter Three
Harlow
When we get home, we’re met at the airport by a very concerned-looking Thomas. While he helps Jaxon and Kai put our gear in the trunk of the big blacked-out SUV, I thank James and Chris, giving them both a kiss and a hug, along with an apology that I hadn't had a chance to catch up with them.
The guys are waiting for me, so after I promise that I’ll hang out with them in the cockpit at some point on our Europe flight, I slowly make my way down the steps and head for the backseat. Thomas has had his hand on his gun, eyes darting back and forth, on alert the entire time. Before I can get in, he stops me with a hand on the arm. “I’m really glad you’re all okay.”
Things are still a little strained between me and Thomas. I’d really like to get to know him better, and god knows his brothers want me to give him a shot, but he keeps this wall up around himself at all times. The only time I've ever seen him let it down was that day when I first arrived and they were skeet shooting off the patio. Since then, he’s had his emotions locked down tight. Even now, it kind of feels like he’s saying it because it’s the right thing to do. But maybe, just maybe, his tight grip on my arm might be saying something all on its own.
“Thank you, so am I,” I reply lightly before climbing into the car while he gets settled behind the wheel.
“What’s with the personal chauffeur?” Jaxon jokes from the passenger seat. Kai quickly claimed the back with me, jokingly telling Jaxon that he’d gotten to hog me on the plane. “I thought Dad would send the limo.”
I can see Thomas frowning in the rearview mirror. “I called Dad and let him know what happened as soon as you told me, and he decided that we wouldn't be trusting anyone but family members and Hope until after this stalker situation has been resolved.” Thomas’ voice is rumbly and tinged with that elusive accent as he navigates his way out into the traffic leaving the airport. That, if nothing else, tells me he’s definitely unsettled.
“That sounds fair,” Kai says from next to me, reaching out to take hold of my hand. “Has there been any movement on the case? Has anyone been able to track down Declan’s PI? What about you, Thomas? Have you been able to make any progress on this?” Kai sounds as frustrated as I feel about the whole situation.
Thomas glares at Kai in the rearview mirror while Jaxon waves a hand at him. “Stop it with the 007 shit. We told her about your side gig. It’s not like we could have hidden it forever now that she’s a part of the family.” He twists around to look at me, his face solemn. “Even if she goes back to the East Coast eventually, she’ll still be a part of this family, and we all know that secrets are what break us apart, not hold us together.”
He’s not wrong. Most of our problems would have been avoided if Mom had told Dad about me in the first place. But then again, I would have grown up with these guys as my brothers, and I would have missed out on whatever it is we’re building here.
I watch Thomas in the mirror, noting the way his eyes soften slightly as he concentrates on the road in front of us. “Yes, I guess you’re right. There have been some developments, and I know that all you probably want to do is go to bed and forget about today, but I’m afraid Dad has called a family meeting. We need to bring each other up to speed. Like you said, no more secrets.”
“We napped on the plane, so I’m good for a little while.” Jaxon mumbles something, agreeing with Kai’s statement.
“What about you, Harlow? How are you feeling? Dad wants to know if you want to see a doctor? He’ll get one to come out to the house and look you over. We’ve just got to call him and let him know.” Traffic is getting heavier the farther we drive from the airport, so Thomas’ eyes stay fixed on the road, but there’s something calming about that voice of his.
“Damn, should have brought the heli,” Kai complains as the car starts to crawl.
“We used it for the office this morning, so the others are using it to return home. Harlow?” he prompts after answering Kai.
“I’m okay. Nothing is broken, and the bump on my head isn’t bad. It was probably more shocking that I went under than anything else. Kai got to me before I breathed in too much water. And I think I can manage another meeting. I may need Mrs. Hayton to make me a coffee, but I’ll be fine.” This time, he does take his eyes off the road briefly, but after an assessing gaze at me—damn, I feel like he’s seeing everything about me right now—he doesn't push it.
