Andi scoffs. “Words mean shit. Actions say everything.” She sneers, then spins on her heel and storms out of the bathroom.
Swallowing hard, I glance over at Mercs, trying to gauge where his head is at.
He simply smiles and shakes his head. “It’s fine, Effa. I mean, I had a feeling you guys had made me in a no-go zone, but I’m damn glad you broke your own rule.”
I pull on my other boot while he slips into his Converse. Then I stand quickly and walk straight into his arms, wrapping aroundhis waist, pressing my face to his chest. His arms close over me immediately, soothing and warm. He kisses the top of my head like it’s instinct. And maybe now… it is.
“I’m glad I broke it too,” I murmur. “I expected that shit from Luke, but not quite so harsh from Andi.” I sigh. “Are you ready to face the wrath of Typhoon Luke?”
He chuckles, low and calm. “Let’s just do this.”
I let go but reach for his hand, and he takes it without hesitation, lacing our fingers together as his other hand comes up to smooth over my hair.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
Mercs nods, flashing a quick smirk. “Can’t have you walking out there with just-fucked hair, now can we?”
I chuckle and turn to the door, taking a moment to center myself with a breath. I need all the calming energy I can summon. Then I open it and step out into the narrow hallway. No one’s here yet,thank fuck, and I lead Mercs into the main cabin, heading pastSwift Division, who are always seated at the back.
Jett glances up as we walk by, but his expression doesn’t give anything away. Mercs’ grip tightens in mine as we continue, moving forward toward the rest of the crew. Tank and Jay are the first to notice our linked hands, and their matching grins say everything.
“Woohoo! ‘Bout fucking time you two came out of the bathroom,” Tank calls, loud enough for everyone to hear.
All heads turn—including Luke’s.
Suddenly, I feel self-conscious.
And Ineverfeel self-conscious.
Luke stares at us from his seat, chewing harshly on a pen that juts out from his mouth. His eyebrows draw together, and his eyes burn with an intensity I haven’t seen in a long time. Ipick up the pace, Mercs at my side, our joined hands firm and unshaken.
Luke’s steely glare locks with mine, and I swear it pierces straight through me. He pulls the pen from his mouth with a sharp pop, leans back in his seat, rubs his jaw, and says…
Nothing.
Alana watches with wide eyes, her concern plain as she leans forward, clearly feeling the tension ripple through the air.
Then Mercs squares his shoulders and speaks, calm but unflinching. “Luke, I know you didn’t want this to happen, but we’re not kids. We don’t need parenting. If we mess this up, that’s on us. But I want to give this a real go with Vespa.”
Alana’s eyes go wide, then a knowing smile curls her lips. She knows I don’t let many people use my real name.
Mercs continues, steady and firm. “I’m not in this for a fling. This isn’t some four-month tour thing that ends when the curtain falls. I want to be with her for as long as she’ll have me. We’ll make mistakes. She will… I will… but trying to keep us apart will only make it harder. We have chemistry. We have a connection. I’m not backing away. So you can either let this happen and see where it goes, or you can fire me and find someone else to run your lights. Your call.”
My head whips to the side, eyes flaring at Mercs.
That wasnotpart of the plan.
He just told Luke to fire him?
Fucking hell.
Fucking, fuckity fuck.
The entire plane falls silent, the only sound that low, steady hum of the engines beneath us.
I squeeze Mercs’ hand so tight I might be cutting off his blood flow. I feel his calm, resolute energy radiating beside me, and it only makes my panic stronger.
He meant what he said.
