Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 43456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
A smile touched her lips as she stared back at me in the mirror, her expressive eyes conveying her captivation with the intensity of my story. “You mentioned Fallon earlier. It must be comforting, having someone who understands what you’ve been through.”
“It is,” I admitted, my mouth lifting slightly at the corners. “Flying wasn’t my only role. I was a problem solver. Contributed to the design and testing of multiple aircraft platforms, earned my master’s and PhD while I was still in service. That combination of flying and problem-solving gave me clarity nothing else could. Even now, after leaving active duty, consulting and test-flying keep me sharp.”
There was an eager sparkle in her eyes that hit me hard. “What about now? What exactly are you involved in at Aegis?”
I led her to the end of the bed and sat her down. Then I found us each a pair of socks and our shoes before sitting down beside her. “When I left the Navy, I was stationed at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland—essentially the Navy’s hub for aviation testing and acquisition. I worked with the Naval Air Systems Command, designing, testing, and integrating advanced air platforms. It’s technical and intense—systems integration, modeling, simulation, and prototyping. I provided expertise in aerodynamics, propulsion, and avionics, focusing on anything that enhances performance. And I collaborated closely with major defense contractors like Boeing and Lockheed.”
Her eyes widened, admiration flickering across her face. “You really did have your hands in every step of the process, didn’t you? From concept to flying the prototype?”
I nodded as I finished lacing up my boots. “Yeah. Cradle to grave. What I wanted in my life never changed, just how I went about doing it. So, now I work for Aegis on a per-project basis. They hire me to consult on new designs and then test the classified aircraft. It’s complicated work, but I love it, and it’s what I do best.” My eyes drifted to the twisted sheets, and I smirked. “One of the things I do best.”
Linden’s cheeks flamed, and her eyes darted to the ground for a moment, making me chuckle.
“That all sounds amazing and so interesting.” Her voice was laced with genuine interest. “I’m quite intrigued.”
My chest warmed at the excitement lighting her features, and an idea struck me. “Want to see where I work when I’m not at the clubhouse? Got an office in a secure building in downtown Riverstone. I can show you some things—nothing classified above your clearance level, obviously—but it’ll give you a better sense of what I do.”
Her expression brightened instantly, eyes shining as she nodded eagerly. “I’d love that.”
I stood, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet. “Come on, then, little dove. Let me show you.”
Outside, my Harley waited—chrome gleaming in the sunlight, black and red paint polished to perfection. Linden froze the moment she saw it, eyes wide and her lips parting softly. Nervous anticipation radiated off her, the gentle tremble in her hand giving her away.
“You’ve never been on a bike, have you?” I asked, keeping my tone casual and softly brushing my thumb over her knuckles to steady her nerves.
She shook her head slowly, her gaze darting between me and the motorcycle.
“No, never.” A hint of anxiety slipped through her voice. “And, um, isn’t it, um, a really big deal for a guy in an MC to let a woman ride with them?”
A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth as I cupped her chin, forcing her to look at me fully. “Little dove, I told you—you belong to me.” My voice lowered, the next words carrying a deeper meaning. “The spot behind me on my bike belongs to you and no one else.”
The anxiety faded from her eyes, replaced by warmth and hope. I lowered my helmet onto her head, helping her secure it before climbing onto the Harley. As she settled behind me, I felt her tense, the anxiety returning. “Relax, baby. I’ll never let anything happen to you.”
I felt her body soften as her arms wrapped tightly around my waist, and her body pressed snug against my back. She’d given me her trust, believing that as long as I had her, she’d be safe.
“Hold tight.” I started the engine, the powerful vibration rumbling beneath us as we pulled onto the road.
The drive into downtown Riverstone was quick, traffic sparse in the late morning. Linden stayed quiet behind me, peering around my arm with quiet curiosity as I navigated through familiar streets. My office wasn’t located in some nondescript business park; instead, it occupied a secure floor in a sleek, modern building downtown—a facility owned outright by the Hounds of Hellfire. Which was the only reason I felt safe bringing her here now. I knew it was safe.
The building housed various legitimate businesses, all run or owned by a brother. So this building was as secure as places like Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory because it was also one of the places the MC used for sensitive work—usually involving our disappearance operation.