Page 76 of Shane
After she made quick introductions, and after Contreras stopped schmoozing the ladies, he assisted the women up into the helo and personally fastened them into the two rear, forward-facing executive seats. He took time making sure their protective aviation headsets fit securely, then offered both bottled waters and plastic-wrapped sub-sandwiches, along with individual-sized bags of chips. The guy was a gentleman to the max, and it was obvious he’d charmed them. Even Tuesday’s eyes were bright and sparkling. Funny how that didn’t bug Shane at all, but how he wished Contreras would trip or stumble—or something—when he catered to Ev.
She was exhausted, Shane could tell. She hadn’t ordered him around once since he’d rescued her from that mess in the barn. Well, except when she’d stabbed his chest. If anything, she seemed more subdued and thoughtful, maybe even introverted since Mother broke the news of who he was—not qualities he would’ve ever ascribed to Agent Everlee Yeager.
While Heston lingered, chatting with her and Tuesday, making jokes and just overall settling them down, Shane dropped Everlee’s and his gear bags inside the rear compartment alongside her seat. She was running on empty. There were dark crescents beneath her eyes, so he made sure she knew where her gear was in case she needed something. Made him feel stupid for crashing like he had before, and sleeping those precious hours away. She was the one those bastards had battered, the one who should’ve taken a nap. She should’ve soaked in a hot bath, too, followed by a three-course dinner, maybe a bottle of wine. She needed a back rub, and—
“How you doing, Shane?” she asked, interrupting his salacious wayward thoughts. “Headache still gone?”
While Heston was busy impressing Tuesday, Shane leaned into Everlee and told her, “I’m fine, Ev. When we get back, how about a date? We could go out for dinner one night. Or breakfast or lunch, whatever you’d like.”
The smile that broke out on her face and the sparkle in those deep brown eyes was like watching the sun rise in the middle of night. “I’d like that,” she answered, oddly submissive considering the take-charge woman she was. “Name the time and place and I’ll be there.”
He shook his head. “Uh-uh. How about I swing by your place and pick you up instead?”
She demurred, dropping her gaze. “That’d be nice.”
Shane tipped inside the doorway and put a finger under her chin, needing to look into those pretty browns again. “I’ve got your six, babe,” he told her, running a hand over her shoulder to the nape of her neck. “You know everything about me, everything that matters. You can talk to me, Ev. Hope you know that.”
A sigh lifted both of her shoulders, and at last, she made eye contact. “Someday, I’ll take you up on that offer, but not now, okay? It’s… it’s been a really long day.”
He winked and smiled, willing to wait until she was ready. “Whenever you decide.” He stepped back. “All strapped in?”
She nodded. “Don’t get hurt, okay? Alex will kill me if you do.”
“Look who’s talking, the gal with a chair leg.”
“Hey, I could’ve taken both those two jerks down with that weapon, and you know it.”
“But a woman shouldn’t have to fight her battles alone, should she?”
“Are you calling me Chair Force?” she quipped.
He grinned. “Never, babe. Now lean back. Get some shut-eye. I’ll wake you once we arrive.”
Shane closed her door, then went up front and hunkered into the co-pilot seat, belted into the safety harness, and snapped a headset on. Tipping back into the luxurious headrest, he listened to the chatter between Heston and his guests. The man was precisely what Everlee and Tuesday needed—a diversion. He treated both like equals, kept everything professional but lighthearted.
The entire conversation came through crisp and clear, while at the same time, the high-tech headset muted the overwhelming power of the rotors humming overhead. Shane had traveled in plenty of noisy Navy and USMC choppers in the past, all rugged workhorses built for utility and combat. But this luxury bird of Alex’s was something else. Sleek, clean, and downright comfortable, riding in the Bell 429 was a welcome change from the prospect of camping on the ground tonight and sleeping in the open.
Shane was feeling relaxed and a titch spoiled—until he noticed the six-barreled electronically-operated mini-guns framed inside sturdy racks just inside both rear doors. Also, two sets of monkey harnesses secured to industrial-strength eye hooks fastened to the floor by the rear seats. Then Shane felt even better. Those harnesses would keep a Marine safely inside the chopper if something ugly came up and he had to man one of those mini-guns. Leave it to Alex to think of everything.
After Heston finished securing his charges, he climbed out the side rear door, shut and locked it, then climbed into the pilot seat and told Shane, “You look like shit.”
Shane extended a hand and replied, “Good to meet you, too, Contreras. Thanks for the ride.”
Heston nodded back toward the ladies. Instead of shaking hands, he signed for Shane to change channels on his headset. Once Shane made the adjustment, he asked, “Everlee looks pretty bad. Do I need to stop at a hospital first? Maybe somewhere we can all get a good night’s sleep before we finish this war?”
“No way!” she barked from where she sat behind Shane. “I read lips, you know. The plan is we attack now, before Astor gets away. Don’t even think of taking me to some emergency room.”
“Nope, we’re good,” Shane assured him, grinning at the vehemence in former LT Yeager’s tone. Heston and he switched back to their original channel. “Besides she’ll take both our heads off if we even think of babying her. She just needs a safe place to rest a while, and a trip in this helo will do fine. Mother said she knows where Maeve Astor is, so I’m assuming you’re taking us to her. We’d really like to wrap this mission up tonight. That possible?”
“Absolutely,” Heston agreed. “Yeah, Mom and I talked.” He twisted around and faced Everlee, who was seated directly behind Shane. “Astor and her goons are at the Capital Hotel in Little Rock. Five stars all the way for that witch. God, I hate cold-blooded murderers, don’t you?”
“You know it. How many goons are you talking?”
“A few. Five, six at the most. She’s in the penthouse, top level. It’s got four guest bedrooms and a master suite. I’d imagine her bodyguards are there with her. Might even be in those spare bedrooms.”
“You think you can get Ev and me inside?” Shane asked.
“Abso-fuckin’-lutely.” The cocky grin Heston shot Shane dazzled. Figured, he’d have bright white, perfectly straight teeth, too. “The landing pad’s located right above her suite. There’s a stairwell down to the penthouse, and the roof’s soundproofed, so she’ll never hear our approach. I can set this baby down without anyone in the hotel even knowing we’re there. No offense, but I’m going in with you and Ev. Or did you want me to babysit Ms. Smart?”