Chapter 58

**Blue**


Alan and Artemis whisper to each other as our escorts drive us to wherever we are meeting the big bosses at. I look out the window and try to keep my head clear. When Rhea told me about the shit pile, we had waiting for us back home I knew I couldn’t let myself panic. So I took a tip from Monica’s many words of wisdom and summoned confidence and used it to push through. I’m not sure how long I can keep the act going but I don’t want to look weak in front of everyone right now. I want to be seen as a strong partner for Artemis.

As if sensing my need for comfort, Artemis grabs my hand and rests our combined hand on his lap. A thought pops into my head of a way I could mess with him, but right now is not the time for games like that. Besides I’m not sure how he will react and if it’s him getting back at me then we need to be alone, so I keep my hand perfectly still. We drive for a half an hour before we arrive at the same airport we had landed in a couple days ago, but instead of the smaller jet we came in there is a much bigger one waiting.

There are several other men waiting for us as we stop near the jet. The men in the front seat get out and open the doors for us. Artemis let’s go of my hand so I can slide out first quickly followed by him. He grabs my hand right away and steps between me and the man waiting for us so he can close the door. Artemis glares at the guy and I roll my eyes. His jealousy is going to get him in trouble if he isn’t careful and I don’t mean in trouble with any of these men. I’m talking about me.

Artemis leads me toward the jet and Alan joins us just as we reach the stairs. A man who looks to be a bit older than the others steps closer to us forcing us to stop.

“Colonel Banks, Mr. Rhodes.” The man holds a hand out and Artemis accepts it with his usual confidence. “I’m glad you have agreed to assist us.”

“It seems like we would have been forced to comply if we hadn’t come willingly Colonel.” Artemis says stiffly.

The Colonel chuckles. “Of course not. We would never force a civilian into any situation outside of detainment.”

The way he says that tells me that’s a whole bunch of shit, but I’m not planning on saying that out loud. Well, not I hear what he says next.

“And who might you be little lady? I have to say I’ve never seen blue hair work so well on someone before, but I’m not sure why you were brought along.” He looks past me where I’m guessing our escorts are standing. “This is a classified operation.”

He looks down on me with a smug look that makes me want to kick him in the shin. Only because he’s tall and I probably wouldn’t be able to get a good hit in.

“Colonel…Bacon, was it?” Yeah, I’m petty.

“Banks.” She says through a clenched jaw.

I pick up a few masked laughs with only makes him look even more angry. Whoops…

“Right Colonel Blanks. Now look, I was involved in this project and played a role in its completion. I am also Mrs. Rhodes, which means I have a right to know any business my husband is involved in. Now if you’re done with this pissing contest I would like to get on with things. If my presence here is a problem then I would like to hear it from your superiors, not from an errand boy. So you can either take us to them or we’ll leave. What’s it going to be?”

I glare at him and notice his neck and face are starting to turn a bright red, no doubt because he’s boiling with anger.

“Colonel you might want to listen to her, she can be a little scary when she isn’t taken seriously. You don’t want to get on her bad side.” Alan says even though he hasn’t known me long enough to know if that’s true.

Still, I appreciate the back up.

“Look-“

Artemis steps forward and gives the Colonel a dark look. “I believe my wife has made our stance clear. Take us to your boss or we will leave on the next flight. I have other business to deal with.”

The Colonel is breathing hard, and his hands are clenched at his sides like he’s about ready to throw one at Artemis.

“Load up!” He yells and I’m about ready to pull all the moves I learned from Bucky out and kick some cocky Colonel ass but no one comes near us.

The men begin to make their way onto the jet and we are ushered to follow. Artemis holds my hand tight as we walk onto the plane and I’m glad because I don’t trust anyone after how I spoke to Mr. Colonel. We walk all the way to the back of the plane and take the last row of seats but it isn’t far enough away to stop the Colonel from glaring our way.

“You have some seriously big lady balls to mess with that guy. I bet he could lift three of you.” Alan whispers.

He isn’t wrong, the guy is bulky. My husband might have a super-hot body, but his lean muscles are no match to that monster. Yet Artemis still stood up against him and didn’t look the least bit nervous.

“I think you mean ovaries Alan, and it was stupid to make the big guy all pissy. He might cause some trouble, but it was pretty funny.” I bite back a smile at the way he hated me messing up his name.

I’m not sure why I have an urge to mess with the guy, but the way he looked down on me made me angry. I was ready to be perfectly polite to everyone here but then he had to go say some stupid stuff and get me all riled up. Idiot.

“They can’t bother us or I can disconnect the software in less than a minute and they know it. We have them by the balls, and they have to make sure not to piss me off or lose everything.” Artemis says.

I glance at him and hate that I’m starting to like the emotionless masks he pulls on when we aren’t alone just as much as the version of him, I get to see. I shouldn’t find that darker version of him so attractive, but I do. You would think with my past that a man like him would terrify me, but I guess I see all the stuff under that cold stare. Maybe he lets me see those small parts of him so that I would trust him, but all that matters is I don’t feel afraid of him. There are a few moments when I remember something from the past, but as soon as it appears I push it away. Probably not the best way to cope with trauma but it’s not the right time to address it, so suppressing it is…again.

“Ready for departure.” Someone announces through the speakers.

I hear the engine start and look past Artemis to see us start to move. Now that I have flown, I’m curious about what it would look like once we take off. I keep my eyes fixed out of the window and start to see the plane lift from the ground. My stomach rolls at the thought that it should not be possible for something this big to be able to fly. I mean where is the logic?

“You, okay?” Artemis asks me.

I look at him and try to nod. “Fine.” My voice shakes even though I try to keep it steady.

My eyes move back to the window and my heart starts to race with panic until the shade is pulled down.

“Don’t worry we’re safe in here.” Artemis says calmly. “The chances of dying in a plane crash are very small.”

I snap my eyes to him and don’t see a hint of teasing in his expression. He’s serious?

“Was that supposed to make me feel better?” I ask him.

He shrugs. “It should give you piece of mind.”

“Well, it doesn’t.” I snap and turn my head to focus ahead of me.

“I know a way I can take your mind off of being afraid.” He whispers into my ear making me shiver.

I glance over at Alan who is sitting on my other side with one seat between us.
“What would that be?” I whisper back but try to look as if nothing is happening.

“We would meet in the bathroom, and I would have a taste of you before turning you over and fucking you.” He says before nipping my ear. “You go first, and I’ll follow.”

Oh my god….