Chapter 44

44

DEAN

I t had only been a couple of days since we got back home, but it felt like an eternity. I couldn't believe how quickly I got hooked on sleeping beside her. This was torture, being around her but not being allowed to touch her or even look at her for more than a couple of seconds at a time. It seemed like everywhere we turned, there were eyes and ears watching us. I didn't know if anybody suspected anything or not, but I couldn't give them any clues.

And today was going to be another day of torture. I had to be near her, but I couldn't look at her. I was already thinking about ways I could meet up with her off base. If she left before me or vice versa, we could meet at a hotel. I could wear a disguise. She could as well.

Unfortunately, I happened to know a few people on base that did that. Generally, they were cheating on their spouses and were sneaking around. It would be our luck we would get caught sneaking by another sneaker. I knew all secrets had a way of coming out. I preferred to avoid the risk if at all possible.

I went through my usual routine, getting in a quick workout before coming home and getting ready for a day of training. I made my eggs and spinach and sipped coffee, thinking back to our last night together in the hotel room. The scratches still healing on my back were a reminder of just how good it had been for both of us. I smirked, knowing I wouldn't be taking off my shirt for the next few days. There was no denying what the marks were. There would be rumors and that couldn't happen.

I was going to have to play it safe, keep a low profile. It had been easier when we were in London. We were nameless strangers, just another couple wrapped up in our own world. But here at home? Where people knew us both? Where appearances mattered and the wrong word or look could be enough to set tongues wagging? We would need careful planning and a whole lot of luck.

Base life was a hive of gossip. I usually avoided being the subject by keeping to myself. I was not the guy that got in anyone's way. I was here to do one thing and one thing only.

I checked the time and headed out the door. I drove to the hangar where my trainees would be waiting for me. Things were already moving along when I walked in. After a brief lecture, I got out of the way and let them do their thing.

I stood on the ground, eyes glued to the sky as Sarah maneuvered her T6. The roar of the engine filled the air, and I felt a mix of pride and anxiety. Sarah could fly like a bird of prey, but a lot could go wrong up in the air. When I flew, I felt no fear, but when she was flying, my heart was up there with her.

Kylee stood beside me, arms crossed in her full flying uniform, her gaze never leaving Sarah's plane.

"So, how was London?" Kylee asked in a way that made me think there was some hidden innuendo there.

I glanced sharply at her. "What?"

She didn't look away from Sarah, but a grin spread across her face. "You heard me."

Heat climbed up my neck. "It was fine," I replied cautiously.

"Fine, huh?" Kylee's grin widened.

"It was a good training experience for Thomas," I said, purposely using her last name.

"Is that what we're calling it these days?"

I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling the weight of her teasing. "Look?—"

She cut me off, finally tearing her eyes away from the sky to look at me. "Relax, Ryker. Your secret is safe with me. I'd never do anything to jeopardize Sarah's success."

"I don't know what you're talking about." I shrugged. "But I do know I don't tolerate gossip and rumors. We don't have any room for that. What we do is dangerous. You need to focus on flying and less about what you think is going on."

She grinned, clearly not buying my denial. "I have your back."

"I don't need you to have my back," I retorted. "Except in the sky."

We stared back up at the plane, the sound of powerful engines drowning out any further conversation. There was tension between us. She obviously knew. Me denying it just made me look stupid.

"I'm sorry I brought it up," she said.

I looked at her, trying to read her expression. "Have you and Sarah been talking?" I asked quietly.

"No. She didn't say anything to me. But I'm not blind. Don't worry. I'm not going to say anything. I think it's cute. I would never get her in trouble. She's loyal. I'm loyal. If she wants to talk to me, fine. If not, that's cool. But be good to her. Don't break her heart and I won't mention it again."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. "I appreciate that. She means a lot to me."

Kylee nodded, her expression turning serious. "Sarah's possibly the strongest, wisest, and kindest woman I've ever met. I aspire to be more like her. I will protect her and her secrets. Unless you hurt her."

I nodded. "I have no intention of making her cry. I'm glad she has you, Kylee. She needs friends like you."

Before Kylee could respond, a throat cleared next to me. I nearly jumped out of my skin, my pulse spiking. I hoped like hell it wasn't a superior officer or someone excited to run and tattle on us. Turning, I saw Mo standing there, his eyes fixed on Sarah's plane. He had sunglasses on, making it impossible for me to see his eyes.

"Mo," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. Had he heard everything Kylee and I had just been saying?

Mo didn't let on one way or another, but I was still alive, so I assumed he had missed it. His jaw was set with his head tilted back and his eyes on the sky. He watched Sarah and then handed me a stack of papers.

"What's this?" I asked.

"Look at it," he muttered.

I opened the file and found it full of her academic and flight scores, as well as her survival training report. Kylee conveniently went MIA, slipping away as if she'd never been there. Mo's demeanor made it pretty clear he wasn't happy. The trick was trying to understand just what he wasn't happy about. Was it regular Air Force stuff or me defiling his daughter?

I flipped through the papers. I pretty much knew all of the info anyway. "Why are you giving me this, Mo?"

Mo's jaw tightened. "My daughter has been slipping, and I'm here to set her straight."

I frowned, immediately defensive. "I don't think she's been slipping. She's been busting her ass?—"

Mo held up a hand. "If I say she's slipping, she's slipping, Ryker."

That was him telling me to shut up. I knew when to push and when not to. Instead, I thought he should watch her. Let her prove how good she was. A report was subjective. Anyone watching her could see she knew what she was doing.

Sarah brought her T6 in for a landing. The wheels touched down smoothly. She taxied to a stop and climbed out, removing her helmet and accepting the usual compliments from the other trainees. She spotted me almost right away. A huge grin stretched across her face but it fell as soon as she spotted her father. I knew the feeling.

I watched as she wiped away the smile and looked all business. She approached us, barely even looking at me. That was a good thing. I had a feeling Mo overheard more than he should have. There was still a chance to brush it off as something else.

"Dad," she greeted him cautiously, her voice small. "I didn't know you were coming."

I could feel her worry. She wouldn't look at me, but I could see the genuine concern. She was wondering if he knew. I knew they had not parted on good terms. She told me how bad she felt that she didn't have her father's support after stopping the waterboarding of a fellow officer. She thrived on being his pride and joy. My heart went out to her because I knew Mo was about to rip her a new one and there was not a damn thing I could do about it.

Mo wasted no time. It was like he was worried she might think he was there to congratulate her or shower her with praise. "You're losing your edge, Sarah. That's unacceptable. Have you forgotten the legacy you're here to uphold?"

Sarah opened her mouth to answer, but Mo spoke over her. "I was just going over your scores. You're better than that. You're embarrassing our good family name. Is this because you're drinking too much? Partying? You've lost your focus."

"Dad, I?—"

"I don't want to hear excuses," he growled.

Sarah's eyes darted to me. I could see the hurt flashing in them. She swallowed, then turned back to Mo, her expression hardening. "I assure you, there's no partying or drinking involved," she said firmly. "The last thing I want is to tarnish our family name."

Mo made a dismissive gesture with his hand, as though rejecting her words. "You have been slipping because of your inadequate effort. You can't afford to be half-assed here, Sarah. This is serious business."

A silence fell between them, heavy and suffocating. I looked at Sarah, whose jaw was clenched so tight I feared she might crack a tooth. She opened her mouth, but Mo cut her off once again.

"When you said you wanted to go the Academy, I supported you," he hissed. "I told you I expected the best. I told you being a pilot is the hardest job in the world, but you told me you could handle it. Your mother didn't want you in the program. She knew how dangerous it was, but I assured her our daughter was committed. I promised her you would be the best of the best and she had nothing to worry about. I told your mother she could count on you to do well and be safe. But then I see this nonsense."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Sarah said. "What nonsense?"

He pointed to the file in my hands. "That's what I'm talking about! Those are not the scores of someone who wants to be the best. Those are not the scores of someone worthy of being named the top pilot. Those reports are unacceptable. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Sarah took a deep breath. I could see she was struggling. He treated her like a grunt that had just made a huge mistake. He wasn't treating her like a daughter or a respected pilot. It was killing me to stand there and say nothing.

"I'm talking to you, Sarah. Answer me!"

My blood boiled. "Are you going to let her answer, or are you going to berate her until you run out of steam, sir?" I asked sharply.

Mo turned and stared at me, eyes cold. I stared coolly back, refusing to back down.

Sarah glanced between us, her expression a mix of surprise and gratitude. "I'm not slipping, Dad," she said firmly. "I'm doing my best. I've been pushing myself harder than ever."

Mo's face twisted with anger. "Your best isn't good enough. You need to do better."

"Mo, that's enough," I interjected, my voice hard. "Sarah's been giving it her all. You need to give her some credit."

Mo's eyes flashed with anger. "This is none of your business, Ryker."