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I sighed. “I thought you were cutting back.”
“Iamcutting back.”
It was hard talking to Adam about his habit. On one hand, I got it. We’d been through some really tough shit. Kris, Liam, and I…We were there with him. Every mission, every trigger that needed to be pulled. All things considered; Adam was one of the lucky ones. Even I woke up sometimes, reeling from nightmares.
Adam was a brother to me. Hell, even closer than a brother. I cared for him deeply, just as much as I cared for Kris and Liam ? and once upon a time, Terrance before he disappeared. I didn’t like seeing Adam suffer, but I didn’t like seeing him relying on the drink, either. It wasn’t so serious that it interfered with the job, but if he wasn’t careful, it could spiral into an even larger, much uglier problem.
“Sorry,” he mumbled, tucking his flask away. “I really am trying.”
I patted him on the shoulder. “I know, man. We just want to make sure you’re okay.”
“There’s no need to worry about me. I’m more concerned about Liam. Any news about Terrance?”
“No. Whispers here and there, but nothing concrete.”
Adam looked over his shoulder at Sam, who was still marveling at the view. Her joy was contagious.
“She’s so fucking cute,” Adam murmured under his breath.
“I know.”
“Did you know Liam asked me to switch so he could be on the same flight with her?”
I chuckled. “I don’t blame him.”
Adam sighed. “I wish Kris would change his mind about the whole business and pleasure thing.”
“You have to admit he has a point. I’m already distracted as it is.”
“Why are you distracted?” came Sam’s soft, sweet voice.
I nearly jolted out of my skin. She was standing right behind us, dressed in a cream-colored dress that the duchess also happened to be wearing today. From afar, Sam and Duchess Arianna looked totally identical. Their hair was styled the same, they wore matching jewelry, and they even had on the same expensive high heels. Sam was playing her role as the duchess’ body double perfectly.
And she looks damn good doing it, too.
“Did you need something?” I asked her.
She shook her head. “Nothing really. I was just getting a little lonely, so I thought I’d come back here to hang out and join the conversation.”
Adam’s face lit up. “We were just going over protocol for when we land. We’ve got transportation waiting for us when we arrive, and we’ll be heading straight to the hotel.”
Sam smiled. “I know, I read Charlie’s itinerary from start to finish.”
“Woman after my own heart.” I grinned. “The guys usually just skim over it.”
“I didn’t want to miss anything,” she said simply.
All of a sudden, the whole jet shook. We must have hit a small pocket of turbulence. It was forceful enough that Sam lost her footing, falling forward with a soft gasp. I reached out and held her steady, her hands pressed to my chest. Adam was right behind her; hands secure on her hips.
“Sorry,” she breathed.
“Are you alright?” I asked.
“Yes, I…”
The air was suddenly very warm. She smelled intoxicating; her light floral perfume filled my nose. She peered up at me with her golden hazel eyes, lips parted slightly as she looked between Adam and me.
“We should probably take our seats,” Adam mumbled.
