“Extraction.”
Shit. I nodded as it dawned on me why Michael sent her on this mission.
“So, kind of like this trip?”
“Kind of, but on a larger scale.”
“Larger?”
“My team did things like collecting families of U.S. diplomats and bringing them back to the States if they’d suddenly found themselves in a threatening situation, or if their region had become unsafe. We had helicopter support that would drop us near the site. In most cases, we were in and out with families in the time it takes for you to make some woman come.”
I couldn’t contain my laughter and laughed out loud. Taylor’s eyes softened, and she laughed too. She had a good sense of humor and was quick with sarcasm; I’d give her that.
“You didn’t mention it, but I assume that kind of position requires skills and a rather high level of intelligence. You probably could have gone on to have a great career in the military or even the private sector.” I sipped my coffee again and then set the cup down. “But you came back to Vail and started working for Michael.”
I held both hands palm up, but my left hand was clearly higher to represent her work in the military. The lower hand represented her employment with Michael. And I didn’t demean what she did for Michael. I wouldn’t want to do anything but work for Michael. It wasn’t even a career change and was somewhat of an odd move.
Taylor shrugged and said, “What can I say? I’m loyal.”
What the fuck is their deal anyhow?
“Did you owe him for something? Repaying a debt?” I’d always been curious of their relationship.
“I don’t see how that has any bearing on this mission,” she said.
“It doesn’t. I’m just curious.”
“I’m not interested in discussing that. At least, not now.”
The door wasn’t locked, just closed for now. I’d crack it open sooner or later.
CHAPTERFIVE
Sawyer
We stopped in New York to refuel and for everyone to stretch their legs for a few minutes. Taylor and I put our coats on and headed into the airport to walk a little. We hurried across the tarmac to the private jet terminal, and by the time we got inside, both of us were windblown with snow on our coats and in our hair.
It was ice fucking cold in the terminal. Either their heat wasn’t working or the chill in the air was due to the sliding doors opening and closing every few moments. Both of us decided to take the time and use the bathrooms in the terminal.
“I wish it hadn’t been snowing so we could have left our coats on the jet. I hate having to use public bathrooms when I have my coat,” Taylor said as she fluffed her hair.
“Here, let me hold your coat while you go.” I held my hands out to take the coat. She raised an eyebrow at me, probably trying to see if I was serious.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“That’s so gentlemanly of you,” she said as she unzipped the coat and slid the sleeves down her arms.
“I can very much be a gentleman. Plus, I don’t want to smell urine on your coat for the next nine hours. I’d rather smell that berry and alcohol hand crap you have.”
I smiled at her when she rolled her eyes at me. I pointed to the overhead sign that gave the directions to the restrooms.
“I’ll wait here. I’m going to stretch my legs and walk a bit, but it’ll just be along this wall,” I told her.
“Thank you. I’ll be right back.”
I slid my arms in the sleeves of her coat and put the inside of it against my abdomen. At least this would keep it warmer for her when she got back. Hell, it’d keep me warmer.
