Tamaro nodded, all business now. He took my bags and led us through a side door and down a ramp to a large hangar. The space was vast and lined with smaller planes and a mix of short- and long-range helicopters. We exited through a back door and headed for a small helipad where a long-range metallic blue helicopter waited.
“This is us,” he said, grinning. “Isn’t she a beaut?”
I shook my head, smiling indulgently. “I see you haven’t outgrown your love of toys.”
He put a hand over his heart. “Captain, a manneveroutgrows his love of toys.”
I laughed. “Nor do women, Lieutenant. We like to have fun too.”
Matteo stayed quiet, but I could feel his attention on Tamaro and me, on our easy interactions.
As we climbed into the helicopter cabin, I gave Matteo a hard look. He stared back, his expression completely unreadable, and I shook my head.
After we’d buckled in and slipped on our headsets, I adjusted my volume down. As shifters, our hearing was sharper, and Tamaro had always liked to chat while he flew. He always said it made the miles go by faster.
I checked the panels in front of me as Tamaro contacted air traffic control and started the helicopter. I could bring us down in an emergency, but Tamaro was by far the better pilot.
“Piper.”
Matteo’s voice was tight, and I followed his sharp gaze. Three men had just burst through the side door we’d exited through and were sprinting toward the helipad.
“Tamaro, do you have clearance yet?” If he didn’t, we were sitting ducks. How had they managed to get through security with firearms?
“Yes, Captain.” Tamaro had seen them and was swearing like a sailor. “Hang on!”
The helicopter rose sharply—too sharply. I had to grip the handle above me so I didn’t slam my head into the side. Matteo clung to my seat as we both twisted to look behind us again. Hopefully, they weren’t stupid enough to fire on us.
We all breathed a sigh of relief when they skidded to a stop and started yelling at each other instead. I leaned back against the seat and let out a slow breath. “Thanks, Tamaro. You probably saved our lives.”
“Glad I could repay the favor, Captain,” he said, subdued now. His eyes flicked to me. “You need backup after we touch down? I can take some leave if you need it.”
I shook my head with a faint smile. “We’ve got this covered. Where you’re dropping me off, there’s plenty of backup. And you’ve got your mate and baby girl waiting.”
His face softened instantly. I patted his shoulder and closed my eyes.
“Wake me at our first refuel.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Without opening my eyes, I added, “It’s just Piper, Tamaro. I’m not in MI anymore.”
“Nah,” he said, and I could hear the grin in his voice. “You’ll always be Captain to me.”
He couldn’t see it, but I rolled my eyes, even though his words warmed something in my chest.
Chapter 4
Riggs
Icame into the living room to find Taco changing Alanna on the table set up in here, with Mathan following behind him, giving a string of curt directions. Alistair, Akeno, and Drew were talking on the couches.
I came up behind Mathan and blinked at the baby. “Why is Alanna wearing a bear costume?”
Where did he even get the costume?
Taco’s face lit up as he held her up proudly, like Mufasa holding Simba inThe Lion King. The costume, not yet fully on, drooped down her body until it settled around her feet. “She’s an honorary bear!”
Mathan, unable to handle Taco’s ineptitude anymore, grabbed Alanna from him. “Just give her here. You put it on all wrong.” He laid her on the changing table again and fixed… whatever Taco had done. She really did look cute. The costume was brown and included a hoodie with ears and a fuzzy tail.
