Aiden grinned. “Your poor bride. What is the wedding party going to do when the preacher says, ‘You may kiss the bride’ and Shelly begs, ‘Please no. I have to look at that face the rest of my life. You expect me to kiss it too?’”
Thor guffawed, Melene laughed, the pilot laughed, and even Greer let out a small chuckle.
“You two,” Melene said. “I’d forgotten how you’re always teasing each other.”
“It’s not teasing,” Thor protested. “They really do ask me to keep the ugly twin overseas to keep our family stock prices up. We’ve even snuck in some family pictures of the rest of the gorgeous crew that he hasn’t been able to ruin.”
They went back and forth arguing about who was the most handsome, or the most ugly, taking jabs at each other, and laughing a lot. Even the pilot and Greer threw in a few comments.
Aiden relaxed into the seat, relishing that they were safe and that his brothers were here. He ached to reach for Melene’s hand, but when he glanced at her, he realized she’d fallen asleep.
Thor’s gaze went in her direction. “Rough night?” he asked softly.
“Pretty crazy,” Aiden said, which was saying something as he’d had many crazier nights with the SEALs, but he hadn’t had a beautiful sweetheart that he cared too deeply for in his protection those nights.
“Well, you look like crap warmed over, so you probably should try to sleep a bit too,” Thor said.
“I met a crocodile tonight who was better looking than you, and that’s nothing beauty sleep can fix,” Aiden threw back at him. He was still smiling, but the thought of that croc almost hurting Melene made a chill go down his spine.
Thor chuckled. “That sounds like a story I need to hear.”
Aiden proceeded to tell them the story. The other three men were shocked that the first shot point blank in the mouth hadn’t killed the beast. They kept chatting and swapping stories about hunting, fishing, crocodiles, and other tales that were probably embellished, especially if Thor was telling them.
Aiden should’ve slept, but he enjoyed this time with his brothers far too much. Man, he’d missed them both. He missed all of his family, but being absentee from home most of the time was the life he’d chosen. For this moment, he was happy and Melene was safe.
If only he could take Melene’s hand. Or better yet, hold her. Holding her would give him the sense of home and comfort he hadn’t known he was missing until he’d started protecting her. Did he have the faith to push past the fear of an unknown future and beg Melene to do the same?
He focused on his brothers and the teasing chatter. No matter how brave he thought he was, he didn’t know how to overcome his relationship fears.
ChapterThirteen
Melene woke to daylight, someone touching her arm, and the loud sound of … she looked around and realized it was a helicopter. It all came rushing back. Hers and Aiden’s crazy swim of escape, complete with a crocodile attack. It would’ve been the stuff of nightmares if Aiden hadn’t been there. Then his brothers had come for them. Were they finally safe?
The helicopter blades shut down, and she heard the pilot talking with Thor about refueling and heading back.
“Good morning, sunshine,” Aiden said.
She blinked and stretched, her neck kinked from the awkward sleeping position. “Hi,” she managed, suddenly shy and wondering how awful she looked with frizzy hair, disheveled clothes, and no makeup. She hadn’t thought about money since Aiden told her Papa would be offended if she tried to repay him, but now they were moving to a new location and Thor and Greer were involved. She usually was the one giving charity, not receiving it. This experience was helping her understand the people who refused help or were embarrassed by it. The uncertainty of not knowing if she’d have clean clothes and a toothbrush bothered her, but having to beg someone for either bothered her more.
They were safe for the moment. She’d focus on that.
The sun was bright and high overhead as Aiden helped her out of the helicopter. The men thanked the pilot. Aiden smiled at her in concern as he escorted her to a Land Rover parked behind a huge airplane hangar. She glanced around. She couldn’t see much past a few more corrugated-sided airplane hangars, a couple small airplanes, and a lot of trees.
Aiden helped her into the backseat of the vehicle behind the driver and hurried around, climbing in opposite her and slinging his bag into the back. Thor and Greer handed over three duffel bags to Aiden and then climbed up front while he tossed theirs into the back as well. Would Aiden have asked Papa Delta to have clothes and toiletries waiting for her at this new location?
Greer drove. They motored quickly through a quiet, private airport and then along some tree-lined streets. She could see lush mountains towering so high the tops were lost to the clouds. “Where are we?” she asked when no one spoke. The men must be tired. She remembered falling asleep to their hilarious and nonstop banter. Was she the only one who’d slept?
“La Fortuna, Costa Rica,” Thor informed her. He turned slightly in his seat. “Now we couldn’t pry info out of you while our buddy John was listening in, but it’s just us trustworthy Delta men now.” His look was concerned. “How are you holding up, Melene?” His blue eyes glinted with mischief. “And how on earth have you survived days alone with that horrifying face next to you?”
Melene laughed, relaxing. She loved the Delta family. It wouldn’t be awkward with Thor and Greer here, though she’d miss time alone with Aiden.
“I’m great, Thor. Thank you for coming for me. Especially so close to your wedding. You too, Greer. I can never thank you all enough.”
Greer nodded in acknowledgment.
“It’s okay that he doesn’t talk. He’s emotionally stunted,” Thor explained, grinning at his younger but taller brother. “I’ll take his thanks for him. The only pretty lady he talks for is his girlfriend Emery.”
“Greer, you have agirlfriend?” Melene didn’t mean to put so much shock into her voice. Greer was incredibly handsome like all the Delta men, but he was so painfully quiet she couldn’t imagine how he’d meet or get to know a woman.