“Fuck, am I going to finally see the secret Ghost lair? I was starting to think it didn’t even exist and you lived in some basement in the Bronx or something normal like that.” I’m feeling a little more relieved the farther I get away from where I left Hawk.
“Nothing normal about where I live, Bull.” His voice is serious like usual.
“Got it, no normal home for a man who doesn’t have one normal bone in his body.”
“No matter what, that smartass part of you is always lurking, isn’t it,” he grumbles at me.
“Keeps me calm. Now let’s talk strategy and details while I’m driving.”
With that, the banter is on hold and the seriousness of what is going on descends back on us as we strategize.
Looking in my rearview mirror for the millionth time, I see Asha still sleeping. She hasn’t moved an inch, her chest rising in a calm rhythm, letting me know she’s still fine.
The shrill ring of the phone through the speakers grabs my attention. I push the answer button, since there is only one person who has this burner phone number, so I don’t have to worry.
“ETA is ten minutes. They’re already waiting and ready for wheels up as soon as you’re on board. Leave the car in the hangar, and I will arrange for it to get back to Seth. From what you tell me, he is pretty anal about his cars.”
“Appreciate it. You have no idea. That man loves his cars more than women, I think.”
“Well, then he’s an idiot. Women are far more fun, obviously.” We both have a light chuckle. “I have spoken to Hawk and he’s settled. Davina is all over his ass and furious, as we imagined. Apparently, she is saying she should have listened to you and not trusted him. Pretty big coming from her at this stage. Anyway, he blamed you for ambushing him and kidnapping Asha, threw at her that it’s her fault that she didn’t tell the agency about you.”
“That’ll give us time, because she’ll be worried about them finding anything out at the moment. I just need to get Asha to a secure location and then start piecing it together. My mind is racing, and that’s not a good thing at the moment.” Letting out a sigh, I’m sure Ghost can hear the anxiety that I’m trying to hide from him.
“I know, buddy. You love her and that makes this much harder than any job you’ve ever worked before now.”
“Yeah, ain’t that the truth.” The fence on the edge of the airstrip comes into view, and I know I’m not far.
“You’re almost there. Once you’re in the air, take time to breathe, Kurt. We’ve got this.”
Turning into the gateway of the airfield, I see the plane sitting stationary in front of the hangars, with the stairs down, waiting, and a guy standing at the top of them. His wide shoulders fill the doorway, and his stature tells me this guy means business.
“Can I trust these guys, Ghost?”
He answers with the words I need to hear. “With your life.”
“Roger that.”
The call disconnects as I swing the car into the empty hangar I’m assuming Ghost was talking about.
As I jump out of the car, the big guy is running across the asphalt to me. He’s dressed in a black t-shirt and black combat pants, big boots, but he still moves as agile as if he were in joggers. I can see his gun holster, and there is nothing casual about him.
“Kurt, I’m Ashton. Ghost sent me.” He puts his hand out to greet me. The handshake is quick and short. No time for talking, we both spring into action.
Opening the rear door, I carefully unclip Asha and slide my arms underneath her. Ashton is emptying the back of the SUV, grabbing the bags that Seth had packed for me, along with my gun case. Normally I wouldn’t trust anyone with that bag, but I don’t have a choice. The precious cargo I have in my arms is far more important, and there is no way anyone is touching her except me.
Climbing the stairs, I’m not sure who I’ll find in the cabin, but I have no choice but to walk straight in. Ashton is following behind me after closing the hangar door, keeping the car concealed. Relief washes over me as I look around and find no one is in here. The cockpit door is open, and I can see the pilot looking out at me. He gives me a quick wave and chin lift. The noise of the engines starts to pick up, so there’s no point even saying anything, as he won’t hear me.
Moving towards the seats, I find a place to lay Asha down gently, and for the first time, she moves, curling onto her side, and continues sleeping. The sedative must be starting to wear off, thank god.
Behind me, the cabin door closes, and Ashton secures it tightly. He gives the pilot the signal, and I’m surprised by the jolt of the plane starting to move so quickly. These guys really aren’t taking any chances.
Wrapping a seatbelt around Asha’s waist and sitting next to her, I buckle up and finally feel a drop in my heart rate that has been running hot for the last twenty-four hours.
Looking at the front of the cabin and seeing all the instruments, my view is obstructed as Ashton exits the cockpit and walks back towards me, sitting down in the seat across from me.
“The pilot is an army buddy of mine, Mason. You can trust him, he’s the best there is. Mind you, this private plane is a big step up from the choppers he was flying the last time we worked a rescue mission together.” Fastening his seatbelt, the plane starts accelerating down
