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“Let’s get Ryder patched up while we wait for Reaper and the others,” Stone advises and I have no reason to hesitate. It doesn’t feel safe being out in the open.

We enter the plane and are guided to a small room in the back where a man is waiting with a tray laid out with several instruments and needles.

“Let’s have a seat so I can look this over,” the man says gesturing to a chair for Ryder to take. I stay close to Ryder’s side and I find myself touching the butt of the gun I was given as I keep a watchful eye on the man attending to my boy. My nerves are shot from the last twenty-four hours and I’m a little reluctant to trust any new people.

“The doc will take good care of Ryder,” Stone states when he notices where my hand is. He gives me a reassuring nod and stays in the room watching over us.

For several minutes the guy assesses Ryder’s arm then gives him a shot to numb the area before he can suture my son’s flesh. I hold Ryder’s hand as he acts tough and he tells me everything that happened.

“…and then Dad stormed in,” he animatedly tells me as the man tries to keep Ryder still. But my thirteen-year-old is running on pure adrenaline at the moment so it’s a losing battle. “He wasn’t scared at all…And then he mouthed for me to drop down to the floor and I did.”

“I’m glad you’re safe,” I say, but don’t let go of his hand for fear that this is a dream and Ryder is in front of me and not in the hands of a madman.

Ryder bounces his legs. “Dad was a total badass.”

I can’t even find it in me to correct my son with his language.

Commotion from the front of the aircraft gets my attention and I look over at the closed door. A round of cheers and uproarious sound has me up on my feet, wondering what has the men rioting.

“I’ll be right back,” I say, giving Ryder a squeeze of assurance.

When I open the door, all I can see is a mass of black clothing as the guys begin patting each other on the back or shoulders. Their voices are so loud, it’s hard to hear the announcement from the speakers for everyone to take a seat. The rumble of the engine vibrates but I’m not leaving here without my man.

“Where’s Rhett?” I ask one of the men that’s not from his chapter.

“Don’t know a Rhett,” the guy says and my heart sinks.

As the men start taking their seats, my eyes finally lock in on a six-foot four-inch man with dark hair that’s shaved on the sides. His eyes are dark but cautious as they land on mine. He’s at the front of the plane but suddenly the path of the aisle clears. Everyone fades away into the background and the noise is muffled as I take him in. Rhett looks exhausted, like he’s been out working in a field in the hot sun for hours.

The weight of the last twenty-four hours settles in my bones and I let out a gasp and lurch forward. My feet pick up speed as I pass the seats to get to him. His eyes clock me from head to toe and when I reach him, within seconds he has me scooped up in his strong arms.

“Rhett!” I cry as I circle his neck with my arms. His body takes the impact of me and doesn’t budge as the jet pitches to take off. Burying my face in his neck I let everything out that I’ve had pent up for the last fourteen years, and just sob.

“You’re killing me, pretty girl.” He holds me so tight, as if he’s afraid I might vanish if he loosens his grip.

When I finally get myself under control, I pull back, kissing every inch of his body I can make contact with.

“I love you so much,” I say over and over again between kisses.

The moment I make it to his lips he takes over, slanting his over mine relishing in our connection. He slips his tongue into my waiting mouth, lapping into me. There’s a roar of excitement and clapping that pops our bubble and I remember we aren’t alone. I try to shift and a groan sounds from Rhett’s throat.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Let’s get y’all to the back and let the doc patch Reaper up,” Stone suggests. As his words register, I vaguely remember him saying that Rhett shielded Ryder.

I look down at Rhett’s shoulder and finally focus on the patchwork on his body.

“Shit, I’m sorry,” I begin but Rhett stops me.

“Don’t ever apologize for how you just greeted me,” Rhett says with his deep voice, eyes full of lust and need.

Grabbing his good hand, I usher him to the back, avoiding the looks and smartass remarks his brothers give as we pass. When we get to the back room, the doc is just placing a clean bandage on Ryder’s arm. If it weren’t for the stained blood on his jersey, you’d never know that he had a bullet skim along his skin.

“Dad!” Ryder jumps up and rushes over to Rhett. He lunges into his chest and breaks down just like I did. Rhett swings his arms around his son, pulling him in and I can’t stop the tears from falling a second time. It’s all I’ve ever wanted for them. Rhett looks up at me and I can see tears welling up in his eyes. He reaches with one hand and pulls me into the hug as the three of us hold each other.

The plane starts to take on speed and the doctor tells us to take a seat against the wall. We sit down, never letting each other go. Rhett nuzzles my hair as I sit on one side with Ryder on the other.

“Love you, pretty girl,” Rhett says then turns to Ryder. “Love you too, Ryder.”