“I just…I know how to make things work.” She put down the wrench. “I’ve been putting things together and taking them apart for a very, very long time.”
Cass stared at her. “You’re sure this plane will fly?” He didn’t have the knife in his hand—he’d already stowed it on the plane with a bit of gear and some back-up clothes that Ivan had given to him. At the earliest opportunity, though, he planned to take out that knife again. And to use it so that he could unravel all of Amber’s secrets.
“I’m sure.” Her stare met his unflinchingly. “But if you don’t believe me, just ask your buddy here. He was watching me like a hawk.”
Ivan nodded. “It’s good.” Then he turned and moved briskly toward the side of the plane. “Now you two need to get the hell out of here. This strip is off the radar for most folks, but I don’t like to take chances, know what I mean?”
Cass knew exactly what he meant. He handed Ivan his payment and the cash vanished. “More will be wired to your account.” Enough to cover the cost of the plane. He’d done business with Ivan plenty of times over the years. They had a standing agreement. “Thanks for the help, shifter.”
Ivan glanced away, licking his lips. “Anytime, Reaper. Anytime.” His gaze had darted to Amber. He was frowning.
Cass put his hands on his hips. “Is there a problem?”
Ivan raked a hand over his face. Amber was just a few feet away—as far as their invisible bond would let her go—and she was still peering at the front of the plane. “What is she? I mean…I swear, she smells human to me, and you know I have a good nose for things like that.” His gaze slid back to Cass. “I don’t like putting humans at risk.” Because, once upon a time, Ivan had fallen in love with a human female. Unfortunately, she’d been caught in a paranormal battle—caught between bear shifters and vampires—and she’d vanished.
“She’s not human.” Cass was absolutely certain of that fact.
Ivan’s shoulders relaxed.
“Gregory is after her.”
The shifter took a step back. “What?”
“He tracked her down to the hotel we were staying at in Biloxi. The vamp thinks he can take her and start hunting for Luke.”
“You…killed him?”
Cass lowered his voice. “No. I let the bastard keep living. After all, I owed him.”
Ivan exhaled. “A lot of us owe him. Next to Luke, I’d say he’s the paranormal who schemes the most. Always planning ahead. Always using everyone else…”
“His vampire clan took me in when I was a kid.”
Cass heard the faint rustle of footsteps and saw Amber creeping closer, but he kept talking. Maybe she should hear this.
“Gregory’s vampire clan took me in when I was at my worst. A fucking lost kid who’d been tortured for too long. I was more animal than human back then.”
Amber gave a sharp inhale.
“They raised me. Taught me to fight. To hunt. To kill. Once, Gregory was the closest thing I had to family.”
Her hands twisted in front of her. “The thing about family…they can turn on you, too. Sometimes, the worst danger that you can ever face can come from the ones closest to you.”
He knew she was right. “Gregory and I can be too much alike.” Again, he was warning her. “We hunted together for years, but he didn’t like being second best. Now I guess he’s ready to take over.”
She licked her lips. “He’s trying to take me.”
Cass turned to face her. Ivan slipped away, moving toward the front of the plane and picking up the tools. “That’s not happening. I don’t give up a bounty to anyone.” He moved even closer to her. “I’m not giving you up.” The words came out rough and hard, but they were true. He wouldn’t let her go.
“Except…to Luke. You’ll give me up, then, won’t you?”
His jaw clenched.
“I can’t say anything to convince you to let me go?”
His chest burned.
“What is he giving you in return for me?”
He’s giving me what I thought I wanted. Finally. But…Cass couldn’t look away from her eyes. And when he thought of his future, when he thought of a mate, he just thought of her.
“No answer, huh? Guess I should have used that Blade of Truth on you.” She shook her head. “Whatever. I’m good enough to kiss, maybe good enough to fuck, but in the end, you’d still abandon me.”
“No, I—”
She had already climbed into the plane.
Dammit.
Ivan cleared his throat. Cass glared at him.
The bear shifter held up his hands. “Easy, buddy. I’m on your side, remember?” He smiled, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “You aren’t thinking of letting her go, are you? Because if you went back on a deal with Luke…” He blew out a breath. “Hell on earth will have new meaning for you.”
Cass didn’t speak.
“Right. Okay, your funeral, then.” Ivan pointed to the plane. “You still remember how to fly?”
“Fuck, yes.”
“Then I guess I’ll be seeing you.” Ivan inclined his head. “Safe travels.”
“Thanks.” He climbed onto the plane. Made sure Amber was secure. Then he was in the pilot’s seat, checking the instrument panel and buckling in.
“Didn’t realize you would be our captain,” Amber called. “What else can you do that I don’t know about?”