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The thought hurt far more than her leg…because she’d have to tear that love out of her heart.
For now, though, she would sink into his body and savor the sanctuary of his arms wrapped around her.
Chapter 33
Many miles and jolting potholes later, they arrived at the airport, escorted by a cavalcade of security vehicles that had joined them in the city. Mikel had also called in a massive security team to scour the Dragon Jet’s surroundings and stake out high points with their own snipers. They had searched the plane from top to bottom for explosives.
The doctor who waited on the plane confirmed that Quinn’s wound was not serious and rebandaged it. As soon as he released her, she changed into an undamaged pair of jeans.
The moment she settled into the seat beside Gabriel, the jet taxied onto the runway and hurled itself into the air.
Gabriel took her hand and brushed his lips across her knuckles before lowering it to the armrest between them. “Less stomach-wrenching than taking off from Caleva,” he said.
“I guess the airspace here is too crowded for aerobatics,” Quinn said, wrapping her fingers around his. In addition, Mikel had saturated the area with security.
“I could use a shot of pitorro rum right now,” Gabriel said, his voice weary.
“What’s that?”
“Puerto Rican moonshine. Strong stuff.”
“Sounds good to me.” Fury at the unknown sniper boiled through her. “You should be on top of the world about your audition. And about Marisela and Kyran Redda coming to the festival.” Instead, he had to be grateful that he was still alive.
“Who hates me so much?” His voice was bleak.
“Not you. The king. Or Raul. Or your title. Things you have no control over. You didn’t create this monster.” She shook the hand that she held.
He turned to face her. “My selfishness put you in danger, as well as Anneliese and Vincent.” His mouth twisted with torment and resolve. “I will not leave Caleva again until the criminal behind these attacks has been captured and locked away.”
“No one expected this to happen,” Quinn said. Not even her boss, and he always expected the worst. She had spoken with Mikel briefly once they’d gotten on the plane. To say that he had been in a bad mood would be a massive understatement. None of his anger had been directed at her, though. Instead, he had tried to apologize. She had shut that down instantly.
“You know that’s not true,” Gabriel said. “Mikel, Raul, Tío Luis, even you, asked me to postpone my trip.”
“We all understood that you needed to go.” Quinn laid her other hand over his. “If Mikel had believed there would be a problem, he would have convinced the king to forbid it. Don’t take this on yourself.”
“How can I not? You would not have been in the sights of a sniper if I had exercised some patience,” he snapped.
“Everyone is fine, so stop beating yourself up,” Quinn snapped back.
“You—”
“Have a scratch on my leg.” She softened her words by leaning over to kiss his cheek. “Let’s focus on the good things that happened before that asshole took a couple of potshots at you. You wanted to drink cava to celebrate. Does your uncle stock that on this plane?”
Before Gabriel could answer her, the pilot announced, “You may move about the cabin now.”
Isaac appeared. “May I offer you something to eat or drink?”
“Cava from Catalonia!” Quinn said. “Do you have any?”
“Of course.” Isaac gave a little bow and disappeared into the galley.
Gabriel hovered his hand over the place where her thigh was bandaged. “I don’t feel much like celebrating. In fact, what I really want now is a shower. I feel sweaty and soiled.”
“Let’s have a glass of cava first,” Quinn said. Or two. She could see the tension in his shoulders. She gave him a seductive look from under her eyelashes. “Then maybe I’ll join you in the shower.”
A flame sparked to life in his eyes, but he said, “You shouldn’t get your bandage wet.”
“I’m sure there’s a medical kit on this fancy plane, so I can replace it.”
