Page 86 of Marc
He smiled. “I’m a father to a daughter, it’s my right to get to hassle the man who dares touch my baby.” He met my gaze. “Later.”
I nodded.
“First, we’re going to the infirmary,” Colbie said.
I groaned. “I’m fine. You’re fine. We don’t need the infirmary.”
“You got dropped from a height by a monster.”
“That was barely anything?—”
“Marcus Gabriel Jackson, you’re getting checked over,” my mom said in her brisk, means-business tone.
I sighed. “Okay.” I rubbed my nose against Colbie’s. “As long as you come with me.”
She went up on her toes and kissed the corner of my mouth, her lips moving to my ear. “I’ll hold your hand the entire time.” Her voice lowered. “And I’ll give you a special reward. Later.”
I felt those words down deep. “Deal.”
One week later
Colbie
I lowered the Talon until the skids touched the ground. Then I powered down the engines and patted the control panel.
After a week together, my new bird and I were getting to know each other very well.
“Thanks, Colbie.”
I turned, watching my passengers open the side door. “My pleasure. See you next time.”
They were all doctors and nurses. I’d ferried them out to a few of the local towns to conduct some clinics. I climbed out, then circled the quadcopter, doing my post-flight checks.
“Heya, Colbie.” One of the grizzled Talon mechanics walked past. “We can take it from here.”
“Thanks, Rob. Nothing to report. She flew like a dream.”
He smiled. “Good.” He wagged a finger at me. “Don’t crash this one.”
I gave him an eye roll. “Please, that was the monsters’ fault, not mine.”
“That’s what all you cockpit jockeys say.”
With a wave, I headed toward the pilot locker room. I was eager to get home.
I knew Marc was there waiting for me. I smiled. We’d spent a lot of time together this week, either at his place or mine. My man enjoyed showing me just how he felt about me. I shivered. In all sorts of fun, creative ways.
He told me he was cooking tonight. Which meant grilling. My man liked to grill.
My man.
I loved that. I had a strong, protective, funny man who loved me.
I finally had a love like my mom and dad shared.
I was so damn happy.
There hadn’t been many monster attacks this week, so Hunter Squad got a bit of a break. I knew Maxim and the scientists were working hard studying the threader, and there had been no sightings of the winged monster.
