Defending Bridget - P.J. Fiala Page 0,20

again at the elevator.

"I already know you know her. Oh my God, I can't wait to hear the whole story. And, believe me, I'm going to badger the fuck out of you until I hear it."

"Jesus," Axel muttered under his breath. Why did this fucking elevator have to be so damned slow?

Finally, the door opened, and he stepped in wasting no time in jabbing the button to go down to the garage. Josh hurriedly stepped in behind him, chucking. "This is going to be good. I can feel it in my bones. Can't you feel it, Bud?"

"No."

That only got a large laugh from Josh and he knew, he just knew, Josh was going to needle the shit out of him all the way to Steuben. Son of a bitch, this would be the longest hour of his life.

Climbing into his truck, he stabbed the button on the dash and started the truck while a laughing Josh climbed into the passenger seat stowing the go bag on the floor.

"Still gonna ask you questions. Number one, who is Aidyn? You have competition for the redhead?"

"I don't know who Aidyn is."

Josh laughed. "Definitely competition. Probably a nerd, too."

Sucking air into his lungs till they burned he eased the truck up the ramp and out of the garage at the compound.

Luckily, as they exited the compound and rolled onto the street, Josh pulled the comm units from the go bag and readied them. His guts rolled a bit thinking they'd need them. This was supposed to be an escort mission and nothing more. But things could happen and often did in their line of work. Better safe than sorry, even if it was unnecessary. Hopefully, this time would be one of those safe don't need it kind of days.

Pulling up to GHOST's private hangar Axel was relieved to see that Gavin indeed was here and ready. The plane was already outside, leaving the empty hangar available for him to park his truck inside. Gavin was a valuable asset. Always ready to go, never asked too many questions and capable. Of course, he was paid handsomely, had military experience and understood what they did. He'd already had to fly into unfriendly territory to pick them up, under fire and he had never said a word about it later.

Parking his truck just inside the large sliding doors, Josh jumped out first and closed the doors. The runway was behind the hangar and they exited through the backdoor, locked it up and walked toward Gavin who stood outside the plane waiting for their arrival.

He nodded as they neared.

"Good afternoon, sirs. Flight plan is logged, plane is inspected and fueled and the weather is perfect for a nice flight today."

"Thank you, Gavin. As always, we appreciate the short notice you are always able to offer us."

Josh laughed. "Nice to see you, Gavin. Let's all pray this is an uneventful day."

"Noted." Gavin nodded and waited as they each walked up the stairs to board the GHOST plane.

The inside of the plane boasted deep, rich, brown leather seats, two by two, with each set of four facing each other. A small table sat between two sets of seats so they could pull out laptops and work while enroute.

He sat in the first seat close to the window and almost groaned when Josh sat directly across from him. Yep, there was going to be no peace and quiet.

The hatch to the airplane closed and Gavin began starting engines and getting them ready for takeoff. Both he and Josh buckled their seatbelts. His mind wandered to how much trouble they were going to find once they landed. Hopefully none.

"So, you know, I'm not letting this go."

"What do you want me to say? It's not polite to kiss and tell."

Josh chuckled again. “That right there tells me a lot. So, based on the fact that she didn't exactly want to talk to you at the shower tells me she's pissed at you. So, were you sucky in the sack? Or did you jump and run?"

"Neither, asshole."

Josh laughed but thankfully let the conversation fall away. Instead, he turned to look out the window as the plane lifted off and the ground became more distant. The thrust of the plane and the incline were the parts of flying Axel hated most, so he closed his eyes and tried not to think of takeoff. On the flight back to GHOST Bridget would be onboard and maybe he'd get the chance to find out why she left