Page 90 of The Games We Play

Standing with her, I try my best to not seem protective and overbearing. Turning, she cups my face and presses her soft lips to mine. I lean down as I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her closer to me. I hate how close I need her to be to me to feel like I’m doing what I was born to do. Protect her, love her, revel in her forever.

I lean down and press my forehead to hers, breathing her in. The faint scent of lavender wraps around me like a warm blanket.

I knew she would want to go, and I want her to. She needs to tell her story, but this changes everything about what this mission is now.

What started out as a covert operation with Rocco and Millerto get rid of Nathan Simmons, is now a protective detail for Mimi, not just physically but mentally. And I’ve never been so uncertain about the outcome.

38

NAOMI

They are going to let Nathan go, I can feel it.

I don’t know if that’s my fear talking or my gut, but either way, the discomfort I’ve felt since Seamus told me about the parole hearing has been forefront and center.

I’ve been on a roller coaster of emotions in the short span of an hour. All the things I’ve learned about stress management, dealing with anxiety, and working through emotional distress have apparently left the planet.

Meditative mantras, breath control, cognitive thinking. Yup, all sucked into a black hole.

I want to believe Nathan has changed. I want to believe what happened to me was alcohol induced and not his normal behavior. But the nefarious look in his eyes, the pure evil that lurked behind them while he held me down, still haunts me daily.

“We’re here.” Seamus’ voice rips me out of my daze and I blink quickly, fading out of the trance I was in before I recognize the view.

We’re at the airport, but we are on the tarmac near where the planes take off and land. A row of smaller charter planes are alllined up outside of warehouse style storage units, large enough to fit said planes.

My brows pinch as I turn to look at Seamus. He has a concerned, but adorable smile on that handsome face of his and somehow he’s able to pull a smile from me.

“This is Christian’s plane.” He tilts his head at the monstrosity of the so-called plane.

The sleek, silver and gold crested plane—that’s twice as big as the other charter planes—sits like a princess at a royal tea party. The built-in airstairs are pulled out and placed outside the entry door with two of the classiest dressed crew members I’ve ever seen waiting at the top.

Even the stairs are lacquered and shine like no one has ever stepped on them.

“It’s a mansion with wings,” I whisper-yell as Seamus exits the vehicle. Christian’s plane makes the other charter planes look like Pilot Barbie’s playhouse.

I lean down to gather my purse as the passenger door opens. A gentleman dressed in a suit holds his hand out to help me out of the truck, but Seamus comes to his side, shoos him away, and replacing his extended hand.

I’m unable to hide my eye roll at his protective behavior, but smirk because the other half of me finds it adorable and endearing. I realize this is going to be a constant battle of either hating it or enjoying it. For now, I slide my hand, unable to hide the smile and revel in it.

He guides me to the plane and steps behind me as I climb up the stairs. Ducking through the entryway, it’s exactly as I expected and yet still, I’m in shock. The interior of the plane is just as overwhelmingly gorgeous as the outside.

Coffee and grainy, leather notes hit my nostrils as I take in my surroundings. Plush, beige leather seating is lined throughout both sides of the plane. The neutral, earthy colors match theluxurious feel with touches of blue and brown accents throughout.

Everything looks expensive, including the two mastiff looking bodyguards sitting on each side of the aisle. Thankfully, they chose their seating properly, because if they were both on one side, the sheer weight of them would probably topple the plane over.

They both stand looking straight ahead, as if they are a mirror image of each other. I glance back at Seamus who is following my steps through the entry door.

“At ease, boys.” The men deflate and their hands release from behind their back, again in sync.

Seamus places his hand on my low back and tips up his chin down the middle of the aisle, silently bossing me around, and I can tell by the look on his smug face that he likes it. It makes me want to rebel, but I’m completely out of my comfort zone here, so my feet carry me down the aisle, past the security team that doesn’t seem to know how to make eye contact.

“Mimi, this is Rocco and Miller.” He points to each one as he introduces them. They both glance my way at the same time as they tip their heads and jinx each other saying, “Ma’am.”

Oh, this is way too awkward and formal.

“Great to meet you!” I say cheerfully as I step forward and airplane my arms around Miller’s neck. It feels as if I am hugging a stone statue before I release and do the same to Rocco. He’s just as stiff, but finally his hand grazes behind my back, giving me a soft embrace, and as I pull away I see a small smirk cross his lips.

I turn around to see Seamus granting me a patronizing look.

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