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Chapter 28
I had Pieter on one side and Glass on the other. Screaming and trying to get out was on the agenda, only I knew I’d never make it. My one hope, if I struggled, was that a passerby would hear me, or the driver would grow a conscience. The latter seemed unlikely.
That Pieter seemed reasonable and not angry meant I could salvage this, didn’t it? Fuck, I hoped so. I wasn’t going to escalate this situation. If anyone got hurt it would likely be me.
He’d asked me why. For a last second, I tussled with what to do. A big man to either side, and Pieter’s disappointed gaze on me. The man could play the hurt puppy so well.
I actually felt guilty. What if they did plan to only help me? They’d staged a full-scale assault to get me out. A man had been shot. Maybe I was stupid? And plain ungrateful.
“I’m sorry. I had a brain spasm. I panicked. I thought you weren’t going to get me home.”
The crease between his eyes made me feel even worse. “You did?”
“Um. Yes. I did.”
“She doesn’t know me,” Glass murmured. “It’s understandable.”
The sad look on Pieter’s face shamed me.
I felt as small as a pebble between these guys. My thoughts of running shrank to nothing.
“What can we do to make it up to you? You want to get home faster? Glass?” He put his arm on the backrest and toyed with some strands of my hair where they’d draped across the upholstery then looked across me at his friend.
What was I supposed to do in the face of this? I’d betrayed the man who’d been my one reason for staying alive for the most terrifying time in my life. On the other hand, if they were prepared to drop their quest for my name and address, I should grasp this opportunity with both hands before they changed their minds again.
“I’m sorry, Pieter. But...yes. I do want to go home.” Hope stirred.
Glass cleared his throat. “I guess I could do a flight tomorrow? I have got a job I need to do. A delivery. We’d have to stop at Rakenest Island though. I’ve had some islanders stealing fuel and equipment there. You cool with that, Pieter? You were coming on this flight to take her back?”
“Yeah, I was.” The low rumble of his voice settled into me, as comfortable and familiar as a rainstorm sweeping in on a day when you were snuggled in bed.
I hated myself in that moment. The least I could do was to let them do this the way that was safe, for them.
My memory jogged. I’d heard Glass mention that he’d salvaged a hard drive from the office at the House. My name might be on that. They mightn’t know who I was yet, but it was possible they’d find out soon. “Is there any chance of this happening today? Or do you have to lodge flight plans?”
Glass guffawed. “Flight plans are the least of my worries. I don’t know. Maybe?”
“Tell you what.” Pieter opened the door at his back. “Give us some time to run around getting everything Glass needs prepared and I’ll see if I can get this expedited.” He slipped out and put a hand out to help me from the taxi. “How’s that?”
“Expedited?” I grinned. “That would be wonderful.” Glass slammed his door and came around to us. “Is it really do-able?”
He grimaced. “For Pieter, and for you, I’ll do my damn best. Main thing I have to do is make sure there’s someone to take you farther once you’re back on the coast of Australia. So it’d be best if you’re there anyway, Pieter, to keep her safe, get her to the nearest town. Once we land there, I can give you money, for food, a bus maybe, but you’ll be on your own. Okay?”
It was happening. Ohmigod. “Yes!” I squealed, just a little.
Pieter smiled. “I can’t stay in Australia. Wish I could. How do I get back here, Glass?”
He wished. Once again I was torn by that attraction to this hunk of a man, but I could see a strange glitter in his eyes, as if something disturbed him. He’d been a little obsessed with me. I heaved in a breath. For the best. Maybe I could contact him again one day. Make things friendly but not too close. Yeah, I could do that. I just needed to be a safe distance from him.
“I can pick you up on the coast, a day later. I’ll show you on a map.”
My guilt swung back, full force, and I swallowed, finding I’d teared up a little. “Thank you, guys.”
“No problem.” Glass nodded. “Let’s get back to my house and do this.”
Which was how I ended up squeezed into a seaplane with Pieter, Glass and some supplies only a few hours later. Whatever checklist they’d run through had been finalized in what seemed superhuman time, but Glass had been planning this for days, just not with me in mind. Whatever he was smuggling in the boxes he’d loaded, I did not want to know.
After my stupid debacle of trying to go to the high commission, I’d decided to be good, for once. I’d write up what had happened as best as I could, in a way that didn’t implicate anyone...or I wouldn’t do it at all. Likely, that meant a no. I’d wear it. I’d get therapy. I’d get over this, somehow. Criminals or not, Glass and Pieter had hearts. I owed them.
