“It’s gonna be another thirty or so minutes,” he tells me.
“Okay.” I run my hand down his chest, loving the way his muscles tense under my touch.
My other hand pulls a crinkly package of candy out of one of my many pants pockets.
Hans’s eyes light up, and he holds one of his palms out.
I tear a corner off the bag and pour Skittles into his hand. And he wastes no time lifting his palm and sliding the candies into his mouth.
“Why do you like these so much? I saw your box of them in your bunker, and then there were like three of these in every backpack.” I shake a piece into my hand and put it in my mouth, sucking the candy shell to get the most flavor.
“First, it was a safe room, not a bunker.” Hans holds his hand out again, and I pour more into it. “Second, they’re good.” He pops the Skittles into his mouth. “I don’t remember my first time having them or anything like that. I’ve just always liked them. And they don’t melt easily.”
I pluck out a different color next and pop it in my mouth. “Have they always been your favorite?”
Hans nods while he chews. “Every Halloween, I’d trade my chocolate candy to Freya for her Skittles. She was a tough negotiator, so I’d usually have to trade two for one, but it was worth it.”
I smile and step into him, leaning against his body. “That’s a nice memory.”
Hans wraps his arms around me, and I love it, but after about five seconds, it’s too hot.
I push against him and step back.
He looks down at me with his brows furrowed. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I fan my face. “I’m just a little warm.”
The hangar isn’t as sweltering as it is outside in the sun, but it’s still hot.
Hans moves his hand to my back and starts to guide me to the closest SUV.
He lifts his chin, getting the attention of the man leaning against the front bumper. And the man steps forward.
Hans points to the vehicle. “Can you start it up and turn the AC on?”
My eyes widen with guilt. “No, Hans, I’ll be okay.”
The other man ignores me and nods. “Can do.”
“Hans—”
“Butterfly.” His voice is so gentle. “I love you.”
I melt.
“Hans.” My tone matches his. “I love you too.”
“Then you’ll get your sweet ass in that back seat and cool down. But leave the door open so I can see you.”
Having a door open while blasting the AC seems like the most wasteful thing ever. But as a drip of sweat breaks free from my hairline, I decide to indulge us both.
CHAPTER 103
Hans
“The pilot just called to let me know they’ll be touching down in ten,” Cain’s rough voice tells me through the phone. “Some dumb fuck stalled out on the runway, delaying their takeoff, but he made up some of the time in the air.”
“That’s not a problem,” I tell him. “I know this was all pretty last minute.”
“Usually is with you.” His chuckle sounds rarely used.
“Can’t argue.” After hanging up, I slide my phone back into my pocket.
Ten to land, five to taxi here, another ten to unload and gear up. We should be on the road in under thirty.
I cross the floor to update the guys and glance over to the SUV where Cassandra is sitting.
As promised, the back door facing the hangar is open, and she’s leaning against the far door with her legs stretched out in front of her across the rear bench seat. She’s finished her candy and is doing something on her phone. Probably reading through her favorite recipe sites.
Determined to give this update and then go sit with her, I’m just turning my head away from my girl when the door behind her suddenly opens, and she’s dragged back out of the vehicle.
CHAPTER 104
Cassie
My stomach drops as I start to fall without warning.
I let go of my phone and throw my arms wide, trying to catch myself, but rough hands grip my armpits and harshly drag me backward.
My elbow hits the door frame, and my heel catches on the running board.
Panic flares alongside confusion, and I haven’t even had time to scream.
But as I’m forcefully hauled away, I look through the open back seat of the SUV and see Hans sprinting toward me.
Understanding finally hits, and that’s when I start to scream.
CHAPTER 105
Hans
Cassandra’s screams echo around the hangar, and I try to run faster.
No, no, no.
Men are shouting behind me, and I can hear their footsteps as they chase after me.