Page 217 of Renegade
Through the tears in her eyes, Caroline smiled. “It’s my job to bring him home safely.”
Caroline spent most of the flight staring out the window at Grey. He, and the remaining two pilots, got them safely to Area 51 in Nevada. She loved watching him fly, loved that he was there to protect her, to protect his mom, and to protect all the passengers and crew. Knowing the three Hornets flanked the President’s airplane helped settle her down.
“Grey,” she murmured into the comm.
“I’m right here, babe,” he replied.
“Evelyn told me one of our pilots got gunned down,” she murmured. “Do you know their status?”
“Not yet,” he replied, “but he ejected safely.”
“How are you doing?”
“Never better,” he replied.
“You did good,” she murmured into the comm. “Damn good, Rambo.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you, Bella.”
The adrenaline stopped flooding her system and the taut muscles running down her back released. She tapped the comm, then continued watching him out the window.
Their love story had almost ended before it had even gotten off the ground. For as long as she lived, she would do everything she could to keep him alive. That had been her job for the past three years… and it would be her job for the next fifty.
Life with Grey was better. It just was.
Three hours later, Air Force One touched down and the cheering in the aircraft was deafening. People were huggingeach other, then, when they began to deplane, every passenger hugged the pilots.
A group of military personnel ushered the group into a nearby building. As soon as everyone was safely inside, Caroline tapped the pod, still lodged in her ear.
“Grey, can you hear me?” she asked.
For the second time since their terrifying ordeal had started, she was met by silence.
GREYSTONE
Greystoneand his team entered the debriefing room, glanced around the table. While he was expecting military brass, he was not expecting the President.
“There he is.” President Garrison rose from his chair and walked over to shake Greystone’s hand.
“Mr. President.”
The President shook Jamal’s hand and the female pilot’s hand. “I’m here because you all excel at your jobs.”
“Thank you,” Greystone said. “What’s the status of the pilot who ejected?”
“He was picked up by a Coast Guard helicopter,” said the President. “No life-threatening injuries.”
“That’s great news,” Jamal said.
“The four of you will be awarded the Medal of Honor for your acts of heroism during enemy combat,” said the President.
“Not necessary,” Greystone said. “We were just doing what we’re trained to do.”
“Not so fast, Greystone,” Jamal added. “I’m honored to accept that medal.”
On a smile, the President gestured to the empty chairs atthe table. As the three pilots sat, the door opened, and Evelyn entered.
“Mr. President,” she said as she swept the room. When her gaze landed on Greystone, she beelined over. “I don’t care about protocol.”
