Colton blinked, then refocused on Red. “What did you say?”
“Goals? Expectations?” Red asked.
“Get through the day unscathed,” Brigit murmured under her breath.
“Sounds good to me.” Red shifted her attention out the window. “I need a double shot of espresso.”
Colton shifted his attention back to Brigit. No, more like he feasted on her with his eyes, digesting every pore, every fine line, every imperfection. If staring at that man could be classified as a drug, she was a full-blown junkie. His face was perfect in every way.
“We need to determine if leadership and board members are for or against the acquisition,” Colton said. “No snitch would fess up, but someone might slip. Francesco is anxiously awaiting my no-interest loan. Based on Brigit’s projections, they’ll have the funds next week.”
After Chad pulled up to valet parking at Dulles International Airport, the five piled into a waiting van.
“Where are we going?” Brigit asked.
“Charter flights,” Red replied.
The driver parked in front of a small building at the far end of the airport. They got out and waited while Colton and Chad spoke with the clerk. She smiled too big and batted her eyelashes too many times. Brigit wanted to laugh. Did the men even notice?
“The craft is ready,” Chad said.
“Where’s the pilot?” Brigit asked as they walked toward the Beech King Air 350 turboprop.
“You’re looking at him,” Colton said.
“You?”
“He’s good,” Dez said. “It’s his maverick copilot I worry about.”
Spinning around, Chad grinned.
“This isn’t your first flight, is it?” Brigit asked climbing up the short flight into the belly of the plane.
“Nah, it’s my second.” Chad winked.
Brigit sank into the plush leather seat across from Dez and Red while Colton and Chad readied the plane for departure. After belting herself, she leaned over to observe them in the cockpit.
With his headset on, Colton said, “Dulles ground, Beech King Bravo five-three-zero Bravo Whiskey requesting to taxi to the active runway for a departure to the north.”
After a pregnant pause, he continued. “Dulles ground, Beech King zero Bravo Whiskey taxiing to runway one-niner.”
As the aircraft taxied to the runway, Brigit gripped the armrests. After six long years, she was finally going home.
“Dulles tower, Beech King Bravo five-three-zero Bravo Whiskey holding short of runway one-niner, ready for take off,” Colton said.
Chad got busy fine-tuning knobs.
“Dulles tower, Beech King zero Bravo Whiskey cleared for takeoff, runway one-niner,” Colton said.
The aircraft rolled forward and as they gained speed, Brigit watched out the window.
“Wheels up, baby!” Chad said as they went airborne.
Dez chuckled. “Peter Pan is flying.”
Brigit spent much of the flight in the airplane lavatory. Shattered nerves had jumbled her insides. Returning to her beloved company was affecting her more than she’d expected. They landed and disembarked. Brigit ushered them through Port Columbus airport and into the waiting sedan.
“You have a great sense of direction,” Red said. “Airports overwhelm me, but you walked through that place like you owned it.”
