Narrowing her eyes in scrutiny, she asked, “Are you sure you’re not undercover for the DEA or something to bust Boyle?”
“You won’t let that go, will you?” He shook his head at a question she’d asked more than once, since he’d admitted working for the drug kingpin. “You know that I no longer work for the DEA.”
“But, he’s bad.” Like he didn’t already know that. But Moira hoped he’d find now was the time to leave. He could stay with Danny and get a legit job back in the States.
“Don’t confuse my good deed here with who I am.” He looked down at her. “If this hadn’t been the three of you, there’d have been no escape.”
Not sure what else to say, she gulped then smiled. “Thank you for helping us, Justin.”
He touched her cheek and she leaned into his touch. Justin was the only man she knew who she thought might be a killer one moment and the best man ever the next, yet her caring for him never changed. “Moira, don’t do anything stupid that could get yourself killed like being plastered in the papers or becoming an internet sensation. One more time, I’m telling you to listen to Danny, even if you don’t like what he says or does.”
When Stu stood, Justin moved down the short aisle toward the three. Moira followed, hoping the news was good.
Declan remained on his knees, his hand running through Diana’s hair.
“We need to get her to the hospital,” Stu told Justin.
How the heck would they do that anytime soon? They were still hours from Baltimore.
“I’ll check with the pilot, but we should be close to Boston.” Stu didn’t move but waited for Justin’s approval.
Declan looked up at Justin with pleading eyes. “I know deviating from our plan isn’t wise, but Diana has to have help.”
“Do it,” Justin demanded.
Stu rushed off. Presumably to divert the aircraft.
Watching her brother turn back to Diana and place his hand over her exposed barely there, four-month baby bump made her heart ache. Declan didn’t need another crisis. He already had to protect her and Diana so the couple could stay alive.
“If you get us through his,” Declan said absently, “we’ll name our son after you.”
Justin chuckled. “Poor kid.”
Moira grabbed onto the fact she would have a niece or nephew soon. She’d not considered children of her own, but being an aunt sounded heavenly.
Stu returned to announce they’d land soon and walked away to secure the cabin.
The passengers settled in seats, buckling in for the unexpected visit to Boston. She wondered about the weather. Odd thing, but it’d popped into her mind. They’d removed their cold weather clothing to be prepared for the temperature increase in Maryland.
Miraculously, Justin had been true to his word and someone had dropped off her suitcases minutes before departure. She’d have clothes, toiletries, and, most importantly, her art supplies for the stopover.
Declan declared, “I’ll call Danny when we land and let him know of our delay.”
“Did you tell him that I was with you?” Justin asked.
“You asked me not to, so I didn’t. Are you sure that’s what you want? I know it’s been a while.”
“Yeah. He might not’ve agreed to help you if he’d known I was involved.”
Moira started at that bit of information. Leaving their homeland and stopping over for a medical emergency wasn’t enough? Danny and Justin weren’t getting along; yet, he expected his baby brother to help. Her throat clogged at the fear that’d nestled itself there.
“Why wouldn’t he help?” Inside, she wished she could take the question back. She’d learned long ago never to ask something you weren’t sure you wanted the answer. And, while she was curious, she wasn’t sure she wanted to actually know about a possible rift between brothers.
Justin closed his eyes and leaned back against the seat rest. At first, Moira thought he was ignoring her, then she heard his response.
“Because he blames me for our father’s death.”
Chapter Seven
Baltimore, Maryland
Cowboy whistled. “Son of a bitch. Weapons?”
Without taking their eyes from the activity on the HIS training ground before them, Danny nodded. Remembering what he’d landed Wayne into still fired his blood. It’d been a damn check ride, and it’d been one from hell. Then again, he wanted to kneel down and kiss the ground that they’d landed safely.
“Thank God I had my backup weapon. I didn’t wear any other weapons since it was my evaluation with the FAA.” With a shrug that Cowboy probably didn’t notice, he added, “I didn’t think I’d need it.”
Nodding in agreement, Cowboy asked, “How long were you detained?”
Knowing Cowboy had probably already heard everything, Danny just grunted, “Too damn long.” While HIS had an “in” with the government, local law enforcement wasn’t always happy when the men stepped on their turf and bullets flew. Hell, HIS agents weren’t overjoyed about it either, but shit happened.
Thank goodness for Sebastian Davenport—the attorney HIS kept on retainer. He’d persuaded the deputies to wrap things up quickly and allow Danny, Boss, and Sugar to walk out of the building. While it’d been obvious self-defense, he couldn’t wait for the grand jury to convene next month and decide. Danny hoped a “No Bill” was passed, so their actions would be considered justified, and the assholes who’d been shot couldn’t turn around and sue him or any of the others.
“Those were some stupid fuckers,” Cowboy added. “Most growers booby trap their crop and would’ve abandoned it instead of engage a downed aircrew since they knew help would arrive for the passengers.”
“According to the arresting deputy, the growers hoped to relieve us of the bird. They thought it’d be great to transport their product with less hassle.” Granted, none of those arrested had been qualified to fly a helicopter, but that hadn’t stopped them from trying to steal the helo. Idiots.
Through his aviators, Danny watched Jason Hamilton—the sixteen-year-old adopted son of their big boss, Jesse Hamilton. Jason would have to consider the light breeze when sighting the
