Page 31 of Vinny

The silence that followed was deafening. The only sound was the highway as it rolled on by.

After several more hours of driving through the eastern part of Kentucky and into West Virginia, the mountainous terrain provided a different scene for Annalissa to look at. Dozing on and off helped pass the time and gave her an excuse to not make conversation; she felt the car slowing and opened her eyes once more. Pulling up to the designated airstrip, Vinny moved out of the car while telling Annalissa to wait in the car. She waited obediently for which he was grateful. He saw a man fitting the description walking toward him. Tall, dark hair cut in a military haircut, jeans and a leather jacket. The man pulled his sunglasses off as he approached. Sticking his hand out, he said, “Vinny? I’m Marc. I work for Jack Bryant. I understand you’ve had quite a mission?”

Vinny shook his hand, laughing. “Yeah, you could say that. We appreciate you helping us out. It’s taken us two full days to get this far and stay under the radar of whoever the hell is after her.”

He noticed Marc’s eyes glancing over to the car and light up appreciatively. A white-hot flash of jealousy shot through him. Marc’s gaze moved back to him andVinny knew he had not covered the unfamiliar emotion. A slow grin spread over Marc’s face. “Well, alright,” he drawled. “Let’s get the two of you back to Virginia.”

Annalissa watched the two men as she sat quietly in the car. Not normally a vain woman, she noticed her sweat-stained clothes, scratched arms, sunburned face and she lifted her hand to tuck an errant curl behind her ear.Whatever. Just please get me home.

Vinny walked over to the car and opened the passenger side. “It’s okay. He’s from our friend Jack’s company. He’ll fly us back home.” Seeing her nod, he held out his hand to assist her but wondered if she would take it.

She only glanced at it for a second before sliding her hand into his. He wrapped his fingers around hers and the tingling jolted all the way up her arm. Trying to ignore it, she gave him a cool nod.

Marc walked over and shook her hand introducing himself, as Vinny grabbed their bags…and glared at Marc, jealousy hitting him again. Walking over to them, he shoved one of the bags toward Marc, forcing him to drop Annalissa’s hand. Smirking, Marc said, “I’m in the small hangar over there.”

She looked around at the large hangar on one side of the airport, finding herself checking the area. It seemed strange to be so exposed after two days of running and hiding. Following Marc around the corner of the building she saw the plane inside. The small plane. She stopped dead in her tracks, causing Vinny to run into the back of her.

His eyes immediately darted to her, seeing the pale, wide-eyed expression on her face. He followed her line of vision and noted the four-seater Cessna.And she hates flying.He felt her press her back into his front, as though instinctively seeking his protection. As much as he hated for her to be scared, knowing that she unconsciously turned to him…hell yeah.

She whirled around grabbing the front of his shirt.“I can’t do it, Vinny.I can’t go in that.Can’t we just drive?It won’t take too long.We could be in Richmond by late tonight if we drive.”

He dropped the bag he was carrying and placed his hands over hers as they clutched his shirt. “We can do this. Marc will get us there and get us there safely. We won’t have to worry about someone finding us on the road.”

Tears pricked the back of her eyes, as she battled them back, not wanting to cry in front of them.

Vinny pulled her closely, wrapping his hand around the back of her head, pressing it to his chest. Sharing a glance with Marc who just nodded before bending and grabbing the dropped bag, Vinny whispered in her ear. “Girl, you got this. In the past three days you have walked through miles of woods, crossed a small river, slept in a tree, climbed out of windows, gone without sleep, and never once fell apart. Babe, if this scares you then know that I’m right here and I won’t let anything ever hurt you. We can do this…together.”

He held her gaze for a moment as shesucked in a huge breath, letting it out slowly.“You…you’ll be right with…me?” she asked.

“Babe, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be in the whole world, than right by your side. And I’m not just talking about this flight.” He continued to hold her gaze, watching the fear recede slightly, only to be replaced with a questioning expression. “You understand what I’m saying?”

She glared at him, giving him a small nod.He wants to be with me.Me? Well, he sure has a funny way of showing it.“Don’t lead me on, Vinny. It really is cruel.” Her eyes full of doubt, she started to turn away.

Dammit!He followed her as she trailed along after Marc over to the aircraft. Knowing she was shaking inside, he admired her nerve. Marc smiled at both of them, giving Vinny a slight head jerk. He had placed their bags on the front passenger seat, allowing them to take the two back seats. As he offered his hand to Annalissa, assisting her trembling form into the plane, he assured her, “You’re going to be fine, Ms. O’Brian. I promise to take care of both of you while you’re on my plane.”

She nodded nervously and sat in the seat indicated. Vinny hopped in next to her and made sure she was buckled. “You know, in the movies,” she said as Marc slid into the pilot’s seat, “the heroes always travel in one of those luxury aircrafts with a bar, couches, attendants in skimpy outfits, and even bathrooms.”

The two men laughed, glad that she wasable to joke.Marc replied, “Afraid my aircraft isn’t quite what they show in the movies.”

She grinned nervously, leaning back in her seat, finally allowing Vinny to hold her hand. Taking a deep breath as they taxied to the end of the runway. Feeling the pressure of his fingers linked with hers sent another tingle through her arms.I got this. With him…I got this.

Several terrifying hours later, the small Cessna began landing at a small local airport near Richmond. The flight had been without difficulties, but Annalissa felt as though her stomach had spent most of the time in her throat.

Vinny sensed the panic in her, so he tugged on her arm, pulling her toward him. Thinking of what Jobe told him, he said, “Look at me, babe. Keep your eyes on me.” She held his gaze, fear in her expression.

Not taking his eyes off of hers, he said softly, “Annalissa, do you know what I thought when I first met you? I heard the sound of a harp and swear to God, I knew then what the angels play. Then I saw you, only I didn’t know it was you. I had no idea you were the mission. I just knew that you were the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. And it wasn’t the makeup or the princess dress. I felt that anyone as pretty as you who could bring so much music to life, was someone I wanted to know.”

She sat mesmerized, hanging on to every word. He continued, “Yes, you started out being a mission from Alvarez Security. But as I got to know you, everything changed. You became my mission. Mine. Mine to protect. Mine to guard over. Mine to…” he hesitated. “Care for.”Love. It’s really love, isn’t it?

He leaned toward her, slightly pulling on her hand. Meeting him halfway, her lips were ready and willing. He kissed her softly, at first, before taking the kiss deeper.

“We’re here,” Marc’s voice cut into their moment, a smile on his face. She jerked her gaze from Vinny’s and saw that they were taxiing on the runway.

She looked back at Vinny’s grinning face, narrowing her eyes.Was he just saying all of that to take my mind off of landing?

He saw her question and immediately pulled her back close to him. “Meant every fuckin’ word, baby. Every. Word.”

Her smile spoke volumes. It made her beautiful face exquisite. It filled his heart with hope.

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