“You’re sure?” he asked her. Tatum looked between him and Ryder and nodded. “I’ll do things your way if that’s what you want but I won’t pretend to be happy about it.”
“I’m not doing this to make you unhappy, Jackson,” she insisted. “I’m not trying to hurt you. I’m just doing what’s right for me and being with Ryder is what’s right for me right now.”
“And when he gets tired of you and dumps you for some chick wanting to land a biker—what then?” Ryder couldn’t help his anger, he towered over Hart and Tatum once again stepped between them.
“That’s not going to fucking happen, Hart,” Ryder growled.
“Oh come on,” Hart said. “You and I both know that women flock to you like flies to honey. You’re not a relationship kind of guy and my sister deserves better. She deserves someone who’s going to want to settle down and be there for her. Tatum deserves someone who won’t get board with her and move on.” Ryder dropped his crutches and reached around Tatum, trying to grab onto Hart. He stood and practically shoved Ryder over. Tatum wrapped her arms around his body, trying to keep him upright and Bowie was by his side, trying to steady him.
“Guys,” Bowie said. “This isn’t going to get us anywhere. What’s happening between your sister and Ryder isn’t your business, Hart. If you’re sister wants Ryder to take her out of town then you need to respect her decision.”
“Bowie’s right,” Savage said. Ryder backed down and took his crutches from Bowie. Rachet sat in the corner of the room watching them like he was watching a movie. “I’m still in for flying you guys out somewhere. Just say the word,” Rachet said.
“I’m grounded until my cast comes off,” Ryder said. “I’d appreciate you flying us out of town. I just have no idea where we should go?” he said. He thought about taking her out to Repo’s place in Gatlinburg but he knew that his friend had enough on his plate with a new baby. He also thought about taking her to Whiskey’s place in Texas but his friend had enough shit going on with trying to bring down the drug cartel his wife’s dead father was head of.
Hart and Tatum looked at each other and back at him. “We have a place,” Hart said.
“It was our grandmother’s cabin but now it belongs to both of us. We kind of inherited it,” Tatum said.
“Where is this cabin?” Ryder asked.
“Montana,” Hart said.
“I haven’t been there for such a long time. I think it’s been about eight years since we went up there with Mom, right?” she asked her brother.
“About that,” Hart agreed. “I have had someone looking after the place since. It’s pretty rustic but off the beaten path. As for places to lay low, it’s not a bad option,” he said.
“Sounds perfect,” Ryder agreed. “You up for flying us to Montana, Rachet?” he asked.
“Sure,” Rachet agreed. “But, we’ll have to use your plane. Mine is owned by Uncle Sam and I’m pretty sure the government won’t be too happy about me using it to fly a friend across the country.”
“That’s not a problem,” Ryder agreed. “I can call the hanger and have her gassed up and ready to fly within an hour. You ready for a trip, Honey?” he asked.
“Yep,” Tatum agreed. “Pack some warm clothing,” she said. “It’s probably snowing up there already.” The thought of being snuggled into a cozy cabin with Tatum, trapped in the middle of nowhere, sounded like heaven.
Tatum
The flight took almost four hours and Ryder did more flying than he probably should have. Tatum had to admit, watching him in action was hot and she was sure that dating a pilot would never be boring.
“You guys need me to stick around?” Rachet asked, handing Ryder a bag. They were allowed to run back to his place and pack quickly before they drove to the hanger where Ryder kept his plane. Rachet and Savage were waiting for them there, to make sure they got off safely.
“No,” Ryder said. “I’d hate to tie you up like that. If something happens or we need the plane, I’ll be in touch. You’re only three and a half hours away.” Honestly, Ryder didn’t seem to know much about the guy, other than the fact that he worked for the FBI. Ryder filled her in on the details about Rachet while he was resting his leg in the back cabin with her. He was a mechanic, of sorts, and a damn good pilot, according to Ryder. He also didn’t seem to have an issue with trusting him with his plane. She certainly didn’t want Rachet waiting around for his next order, especially if he had a family to get back to, and Ryder seemed to be on the same page.
“I’m sure your girlfriend or wife would want you back as soon as possible,” Tatum teased. Rachet full-on belly laughed and Tatum giggled. “What’s so funny?”
“I’m not taken, Honey,” he said. “But, if you ever want to dump Ryder here,” he put his arm around Ryder’s neck and she laughed. “I’m only a phone call away.”
“Not going to happen, man,” Ryder grumbled. Tatum liked the way he seemed to become so possessive of her around the other guys in his club. He all but thumped his chest and went full-on caveman when her brother insisted that he be the one to get her out of town. Hearing Ryder declare her to be “his woman” might have pissed off her older brother but she thought it was hot as hell. She already felt that way with him—like she belonged to him. Especially after the scorching night that they shared, but it was more than that. She felt a strange connection with him and fighting with herself to keep him at arm’s length never seemed to work out. She wanted him but more than that, she was starting to need him and that scared the shit out of her.
Rachet chuckled and tossed Ryder the last bag, “I hear you man, loud and clear. If I had a woman like Tatum, I’d act like a caveman too.”
“I’m not acting like a fucking caveman,” Ryder protested.
Rachet laughed, “Whatever you say, man. Your car is right over there,” Rachet said, pointing to a black SUV that was sitting in the corner of the small parking lot. The little airport that was closest to her grandmother’s cabin was small and off the beaten path—just what they needed to stay one step ahead of anyone coming after them.
Her brother and his friends had come up with a good plan. She just hated that she was going to have to leave him behind to stay safe. Having Ryder by her side made the trip a whole lot easier. She crossed her fingers that things kept going smoothly.
“Take it easy with my plane, Rachet,” Ryder said. “I don’t want to find one scratch or ding on her.” Rachet shot him the finger and he chuckled.
“Call if you need anything guys and remember to check in with Hart and Savage every night at four. Let them know when you get to the cabin,” Rachet said.
“Jesus, man,” Ryder griped. “You’re worse than a mother hen, clucking at us like that. We know the plan, Rachet. You just get my plane back to Alabama in one piece.”
Rachet waved over his shoulder and shut the door. Tatum didn’t miss the way Ryder looked back, one last time, at his plane. “You’re worried about her, aren’t you?” she asked.