We’re quiet the rest of the way. Ironically, I’m eerily calm. It’s probably all the drugs still coursing through my system from the hospital but I’m awake and alert. My body may not be in top shape but my brain is fully operational.
“I just heard from Metal,” Daniil says. “He spotted a white cargo van pulling into the airfield.”
The private airfield for charter jets and other non-commercial planes is just to the south of the main airport. I’ve escorted celebrities here multiple times, so I know the area well. Security is a lot more lax but it’s not non-existent.
“We’re going to have to be cautious,” I say. “Security is intermittent. It’s still early so there may not be anyone on duty but if the flight is supposed to leave at six, they’ll start showing soon.”
“It’s almost five,” Daniil says, “and this is one of the perks of having a prince for a boss. The hope is that once I show my diplomatic credentials, they’ll back off.”
He pulls onto the side of the road behind Silver’s van.
“Metal says they’re circling the airport.”
“They know they’re early,” I say. “And they’re making sure no one followed them. We need to stay out of sight.”
“Agreed.”
“Yeah, but we need someone inside to make sure there wasn’t a change of plans where they take off at five thirty.” Rage unbuckles his seat belt. “I’m going in. They won’t spot me, but I’ll be close enough to see if they look like they’re ready to board.”
Daniil nods. “Keep us updated.”
Rage gets out of the car, sprints across the street, over a fence, and disappears.
“He’s really good at that,” Courtney murmurs.
I chuckle. “He is. But I’m better.”
She laughs. “Okay, big guy.”
“No, I am. He’s huge—it’s hard for him to fade into the background.”
“You’re not exactlysmall,” Daniil points out.
“Yeah, but he’s extra-large.”
There’s nothing to say after that, so we sit and wait.
“Sweetheart, why don’t you get behind the wheel,” Daniil suggests. “That way you can drop me off whenever and wherever I’m needed.”
“All right.” She gets out and settles into the driver’s seat while Daniil jogs around to the passenger side. Then he looks back at me.
“Landon.”
Oh, boy. He’s using my given name.
“I’m not going to let anything happen to my sister,” I say before he can continue. “I’ll put myself in front of a bullet before I let anything happen to her.”
Daniil nods solemnly. “I know that. I’m just telling you that rescuing Allora is the mission, but if I have to choose between my wife and?—”
I hold up a hand. “Iknow. I would expect nothing less. You don’t have to say it. The woman you love is your priority. The woman I love is mine. That’s why I had to be here.”
His eyes meet mine, and we exchange a look of understanding. Respect. Brotherly love. He’s my brother now and I would do almost anything for him.
Daniil starts, obviously listening to a conversation I can’t hear, and now I’m annoyed that I don’t have an earpiece.
“Okay, there’s movement. It looks like the pilot is there and a handful of ground crew.” He listens for a moment. “We need to move. Courtney, follow Silver.”
Silver’s just made a U-turn and is heading back toward the entrance. Courtney expertly maneuvers the Escalade behind him, and I sit up straight.
