Page 17 of Spring Break with a Pilot

I squat next to where Melia is just starting to rouse. “Sweetness, we got a problem. Her eyes fly open. “I need you to do what I ask. I need to leave you in the helo in a hidden cargo hold. Dax is going to come and get you as soon as he can. We’re surrounded by cops that want to arrest me. It’s all going to be fine. But your life could be in danger if they find you.”

“What’s going on? I don’t understand.”

“I’m not a hundred percent sure either but my team and lawyer are on it. Please, promise you’ll do what I ask. I won’t be safe if you don’t. I need you to help Dax when he gets here.”

I hit the door latch. “Coming out. It’s caught. Give me a second,” I yell out through the crack.

I show her where the floor hold is. “You are safe. It’s bullet proof and ventilated. You can open it from the inside, but please don’t. If they leave someone behind, they’d find you. Dax will be here soon.

“If I’m going to get through this, I need you to be safe, sweetness. Do you understand? Dax will know more when he gets here.”

She nods and climbs into the space. “Rhys, I love you. I need you to come back to me. Promise?”

“I promise, love. Give me some sugar.”

Cupping my face, she kisses me and I know her whole heart is behind it. “I love you, sweetness. I’ll be back.”

I jiggle and wiggle the door like it’s stuck, then set it to lock the minute I cross the threshold.

The minute I’m out some big hotshot shouts, “Hands behind your head.”

Ford is standing next to the one shouting. He gives me an eye roll. Knowing Ford, he’s gonna let these assholes bury themselves. After they pat me down, Hotshot takes a cheap shot to my ribs. I drop to my knees to make the guy feel good, but I’ve taken worse sparring with my teammates.

“Not so tough are you, Silky?”

Ford reaches down, helping me to my feet and leads me to what I assume is his vehicle. Unfortunately, Hotshot rides with us.

Ford’s driving, I meet his gaze in the rearview mirror. “What the hell’s going on? I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Got proof on camera of you abducting a girl from Mescal a couple nights ago. Found her body on shore yesterday,” Hotshot responds.

“It wasn’t me.”

“Sure as fuck was. Got your photo. Boss says it’s all the proof we need.” He slaps his forehead. “Sarge. Sarge says we need proof.” He tried to cover his mistake.

Ford meets my gaze again.

They take me to the station and book me then lead me to a walled cell down an isolated hall. Ford is still along for the ride but doesn’t look happy.

“Why this one?” he asks.

“Boss said we needed something real secure for this guy. He might try something.”

There’s that word boss again. I see a muscle twitch in Ford’s cheek.

A few hours later and well after midnight I hear the soft clink of keys. Then Hotshot appears in front of my cell, a loosely knotted sheet over his shoulder.

I nod. “I take it this is the point where I hang myself.”

12

Melia

Ifeel like I’ve waited for days. I heard someone banging on what I guess was the outside door for a long time after Silk left. Then it was quiet forever. I may have dozed off a couple times.

At first, I was afraid I’d suffocate, but true to his word I soon felt fresh air filter through. Now a soft scraping sound reaches me. Then a mumbled voice. “Melia, it’s Dax. Just give me a minute.”

When the panel slides open, relief fills me and I sit up. “Is he okay?”

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