To protect Maddie.
“No. No, no, no, no…” As quickly as she could make her fingers move, she hit send, entered her own number, and typed in, DON’T DO IT!
But Leena wasn’t exactly on a roll of listening to Maddie, was she? Which meant she needed to stop Leena from getting to Stone Cay.
Where was her plane? Just as she thought it, two linemen finally came out of hangar two, towing the Learjet she’d ordered, but before she could board, Shayne exited the lobby.
Crap.
He strode down the tarmac toward her in his easygoing, long-limbed gait, looking for all the world like any one of the wealthy, sophisticated clients they served on a daily basis.
But she knew that was just the veneer he pulled on like those designer duds he favored. His family might be wealthy and sophisticated, but on the inside, Shayne was a guy’s guy, a regular blue-collar type, holding his own with the streetwise Noah and Brody.
Shayne didn’t say a word, just pulled her into his arms. He was tall and lean but strong as hell, and for a moment, she absorbed his strength and affection while fighting a stupid urge to cry.
“You scared the hell out of us,” he murmured, pressing his cheek to her hair, holding her tight. “All of us.”
She knew. And she hated it because they were her family here. They were her life, but she’d done what she had to.
“Why didn’t you return any of my calls? Are you okay?”
Throat tight, she nodded.
“So what’s going on, Mad?”
At that, she went from nodding to shaking her head in the negative.
Still gently holding on to her, he pulled back enough to search her gaze. “Tell me this much. Are you quitting? Because I need to schedule in hanging myself if you are.”
That tugged a laugh out of her, and he smiled. “Okay, so you’re not quitting. Do you need help?”
“Obviously, you know I ordered a flight.”
“Yes.”
“Am I going to get out of here without a problem?”
“This is Sky High. The customer never has problems.”
She laughed, but it was bittersweet.
“Jason’s flying you,” he said, referring to their new pilot. “And he’s good. Better than good. But I’m working on switching my flight so I can fly you-”
“No.” Her heart all but stopped. Just what she did not need, Shayne flying her. “Don’t do that. It’s no big deal. Brody completely exaggerated anything he said.”
“I don’t think I told you what Brody said.”
“He is who he is. He said something.” She smiled and did her best to make it real. “Look, I’m fine, everything’s fine. I just need that flight. Though I need a destination change.”
“Oh?”
“I’ll work it out with Jason. Where is he?”
“He’ll be here any minute, I’m sure. Where are you going then?”
She looked into his eyes and wondered if he was stalling her. “The Bahamas.”
“Interested in telling me why?”
“No.”
He sighed. “Women never tell me anything.”
She laughed. “Dani apparently tells you everything. Is that an engaged thing?”
“It’s a respect thing.”
She sighed.
“You saw Brody.”
Her smile faded, and so did Shayne’s. “Ah, hell,” he said. “What did the big lug do now?”
“Nothing.”
He just looked at her.
“Nothing,” she repeated.
“Really? Then why is my bullshit meter ringing?”
Maddie rolled her eyes. “Stop.”
Shayne let out a breath and hesitated, which was very unlike him, so much so that she braced herself. “What?”
“Okay.” He offered a smile meant to charm. “I’m the one who sent Brody to see you because to be honest…”
Oh, God. No. Don’t be honest…
“I sensed there was something going on between you two.” He watched her very carefully for a reaction, and she did her best not to give him one.
“Why would you think that?” she eventually was able to say.
“Because when you were in the hospital, I’ve never seen him so absolutely devastated. Never.”
“That was guilt.”
“Maybe. Partially. But there was more.”
“I doubt it.”
Shayne wasn’t buying it. “Look, we both know our boy has had it rough from the get-go.”
Yes. She did know. Just as she knew that Shayne had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Not Brody. Anything he’d ever had, he’d had to fight for, physically and mentally, and it’d molded him.
She knew it now more than ever.
And secretly, she admired that about him. Brody didn’t take any shit from anyone, and she admired that, too.
“Really rough,” Shayne said again quietly. “And for the most part, he’s let it all go, lets it all bounce right off him. He does that because he’s tough as nails-”
“You mean he has the hide of an elephant.”
A smile fought for a place on his mouth. “Yes, exactly. Nothing penetrates. It’s how he functions. But you…”
Don’t say it…
“You penetrated.”
“I drive him crazy,” she corrected.
“Crazy hot, maybe.”
Maddie’s composure took a hit at that because back at her house, Brody had made her pretty damn crazy hot, too. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“No? I would have thought the kiss would explain things pretty good.”
And the direct hit…“What kiss?”
“Yeah, now see…” Shayne looked amused as he rubbed his jaw. “Brody gave me that same look. I’m thinking you two aren’t so different after all.”
“I do not have the hide of an elephant.”
“No, you most certainly do not,” he agreed with great appreciation. “At least not on the outside. And see that’s what I’m getting at…” Reaching out, he squeezed her hand. “It’s the inside I’m worried about. He doesn’t show it, Mad, but he’s vulnerable, especially to you.”
“He’s not vulnerable to anyone. Or anything.” But even as she said it, she knew that wasn’t true. She’d seen a flash of that vulnerability at her place when she’d brought up his past. The man had far more layers to him than she’d ever guessed.
“He’ll never admit it,” Shayne told her. “But you get inside. You get past that thick skin like no one else ever has.” Leaning in, he brushed a kiss over her cheek. “So be gentle with him.”
That anyone could suggest she be gentle with the six foot, four inches of solid testosterone that made up Brody West was ridiculous, and she laughed. “Come on.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he’s gentle with you, too.”
