Page 40 of Stone
“Oh, yes, you are. We talked about this, Stone. I have a life and I refuse to allow my father to interfere any more than he already has.”
“You’re not safe, Dani. That’s the bottom line. You won’t allow a security detail and I can’t be there to make certain you’re protected twenty-four hours a day…”
“Why not?” She immediately sucked in her breath through clenched teeth. “I’m sorry. I know you have your life as I have mine. That was selfish of me.”
“It wasn’t selfish. I know you don’t get along with your dad.”
“That’s an understatement, which is why I’m not going to DC, Stone. You can’t force me to return home against my will.”
As the sign for the airport could easily be seen, I turned my head in her direction. “Actually, yes, I can and I will if necessary. I’d prefer not to tie you to the seat, but I’ll do that if necessary.”
“You’re kidding me? You’d treat me that way?” I knew what else she wanted to say.
After everything we’d been through together.
“To keep you safe? Hell, yes, lady. You’re not going to become a danger to yourself.”
“But the bastards responsible were captured or killed.”
I half shook my head and lifted my eyebrows as I drove in through the gates. “Not all of them.”
“What does that mean? What aren’t you telling me?”
“That means the leader wasn’t captured yesterday as anticipated. Matis Garnier is on the run and dangerous, Dani. So, we’re not going to talk about this any longer.” I pulled the vehicle to the arranged parking space at the airport, barely throwing the gear into park and unsnapping my seatbelt before twisting in her direction.
She was shocked when I gripped her chin, her nose wrinkling in continued defiance.
“Hear me, Dani. I am taking you somewhere safe.”
As her eyes narrowed, I could tell by the mischievous glint returning to her eyes that she sensed I’d made alternate arrangements. “Somewhere? As in not Washington?”
Fuck. Was I making the wrong decision? Too late now.
“As in somewhere I can keep you safe and avoid you attempting escape. Come on. I don’t want to waste any time.” I climbed out, scanning the fencing surrounding the private airport. I should call it an airstrip, the location designed and built for my buddy’s toy collection of expensive planes and helicopters. I’d been luckyenough to get to fly a few, which in turn had allowed me to obtain my pilot’s license.
I owed him one after this, especially since he’d also allowed me to borrow one of his high dollar trucks.
“Where are you taking me? I need to know. No, I deserve to know.” Even though her words were muffled while she remained in the seat with her door open, I heard them loud and clear.
She wasn’t going to follow my orders easily.
In making the decision to ignore Gray’s demand, I knew I was opening up Pandora’s Box.
I’d yet to mention anything to her about my life. We hadn’t bothered talking much, our time spent beneath the sheets, on the sheets, on the floor, and against the wall much more important.
It was important to shove that back in the shadows as we definitely weren’t out of the woods yet. I’d had a bad feeling since leaving the general area of the safehouse that we’d been followed. Yes, the two nondescript vehicles had been damn good at holding back, trading places and making alternate turns just when it was possible I’d be onto them.
The activity was the mark of a highly trained operative and not a bunch of rag-tag dissenters who needed to follow someone to feel better about their lot in life. That’s what bothered me the most.
Dani eased from the passenger seat, shielding her eyes from the sun as she studied the small hangar and pristine runway. When she moved closer, I could tell she was extremely nervous.
“I’ll get into where we’re headed when we’re safely on the plane.”
At least all I’d needed to do was to pick up the phone and contact Theo. He’d gotten here ahead of me, ready to act as a mechanic or air traffic controller as necessary.
Maddox pulled the rental car close to the truck, both men climbing out quickly. They already had rifles in their hands, prepared for a possible strike.
“You really are worried,” Dani said from beside me.
