Chapter 100 *

Chapter 100 Chapter 100
Angelina’s POV
The helicopter lifted off from Thunder Peak. The rotors made conversation impossible for the first few minutes.
I sat by the window. Stared out at the mountains getting smaller below us.
Caelan was sitting next to me. Across from us, Silas and Mia were strapped into their seats, I insisted that Caelan bring them along. Both of them looked exhausted.
Mia's eyes were closed. Her head resting against the window.
Silas was staring at me. That stupid grin on his face.
I knew that look. He was about to say something annoying.
The helicopter leveled out. The noise decreased slightly.
"So," Silas said loudly. "Where are we going?"
"Home," I said.
"We should stop somewhere closer. Rest for the night."
"No."
"Come on, Master. Everyone's exhausted. We almost died like five times tonight."
Mia opened her eyes. "He's right. I'm so tired I could sleep for a week."
I looked at her. "You can sleep on the helicopter."
"It's too loud."
"Then deal with it."
Silas grinned wider. "Actually, I have a better idea."
I already didn't like where this was going.
"Logan invited us to his family's lake house, remember? It's only like thirty minutes from here by helicopter."
"No."
"Why not? It's perfect! Big house. Plenty of rooms. We can crash there and head back tomorrow."
"I said no."
"Master, be reasonable. We're all tired. The lake house is right there. Logan's probably already there since he bailed on the camping trip."
Mia sat up. "Wait, Logan has a lake house nearby?"
"Yeah. His family's loaded. They have like three vacation properties."
"That actually sounds nice," Mia said. She looked at me. "Come on, Aria. Just one night. Then we can go home tomorrow."
I stared at both of them. "Fine. One night."
Silas's grin got even bigger. He turned to Caelan. "You good with that, boss?"
Caelan's eyes were on me. "If she's going, I'm going."
"Perfect!" Silas pulled out his phone. "I'll text Logan right now."
I looked out the window again. Watched the darkness below.
This was a bad idea. I could feel it.
But I was too tired to argue anymore.
Silas finished texting. Put his phone away. Then he looked at me and Caelan with that stupid smirk again.
"So Logan's place has like, what, ten bedrooms?"
Mia glanced at him. "Something like that. Why?"
Silas's smirk widened. He looked directly at me and Caelan. "Just wondering if they have any rooms with, you know, soundproofing."
Mia's eyes went wide. "SILAS!"
"What? I'm just saying, Master and her man might appreciate some privacy when they—"
"Finish that sentence and you're walking back," I said. My voice was flat. Cold.
Silas held up both hands. "I'm just being considerate! Logan's got those nice master suites with the—OW!"
Mia stomped on his foot.
"Jesus Christ, Mia!" Silas grabbed his foot. "That hurt!"
"Good. Maybe it'll help your brain work."
But Silas wasn't done. He rubbed his foot and looked at Caelan.
"Look, all I'm saying is maybe get them a room far from everyone else. You know, for when things get intense."
"Oh my GOD, Silas, SHUT UP." Mia's face was red.
Silas leaned toward Caelan. Man-to-man tone. "Dude, you get what I'm saying, right? You look like you work out. A lot. I bet you've got stamina for—"
I turned my head slowly. Stared at Silas.
He saw my expression. His voice got quieter.
"—days! Stamina for days of hiking! And other wholesome outdoor activities!"
He sank back into his seat. "I'll shut up now."
I kept staring at him for another three seconds. Then looked away.
I glanced at Caelan from the corner of my eye.
He was leaning back in his seat. Arms crossed. That smirk on his face.
He'd heard everything Silas said. And he wasn't denying any of it.
My jaw tightened.
This feeling was strange. Being treated like Caelan's woman by everyone. Like it was just a fact. Something everyone accepted without question.
We weren't together. We weren't anything.
So why did everyone act like we were?
I turned back to the window. Tried to ignore the heat I could feel in my face.
The helicopter started descending about twenty minutes later.
Below us, I could see a large property. Mountains on one side. A lake on the other.
The main house was huge. Three stories at least. Modern architecture. Floor-to-ceiling windows. Multiple balconies.
There were other buildings too. Guest houses maybe. And what looked like a boat dock.
The helicopter landed on a massive lawn. The other four helicopters followed.
As soon as the rotors slowed down, I unbuckled and got out.
The night air was cool. I took a deep breath.
Behind me, I heard the others getting out. Caelan's soldiers were already moving into formation.
I looked at the main house. Logan was standing on one of the balconies.
He was wearing swim trunks and an open Hawaiian shirt. Holding a beer. Staring at the five military helicopters like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
He pulled out his phone. Started talking into it loudly.
"DUDE! There are five fucking helicopters landing on my lawn!"
Then he saw me. His eyes went wide.
He looked at Caelan stepping out behind me. Logan put his phone away. Ran down from the balcony.
He appeared at the front door seconds later. Jogging toward us.
"Aria!" He stopped in front of me. "What the hell! You didn't say you were bringing—"
He looked at Caelan. Up and down. At the soldiers.
"—a literal army?"
"It's just Graham and some security," I said.
Logan stared at the soldiers. All of them standing at attention. "SOME security? Bro, this looks like a military operation!"
He turned to Caelan. Extended his hand. "Logan Pierce. This is my family's place."
Caelan shook his hand. His grip was firm. Really firm.
Logan winced slightly. Shook out his hand when Caelan let go. "Damn, firm grip. So uh, who are you exactly? Special forces? CIA? Wait—"
He looked at me. "—is he your bodyguard?"
"He's Master's man!" Silas said immediately. That huge grin on his face.
"Friend," I said at the same time. "He's a friend."
We both spoke at once.
Everyone stopped. Looked at us.
I glared at Silas. Hard.
He immediately held up both hands. "I mean—friend! Totally just a friend! A very friendly friend!"
Logan's grin was huge now. "Uh-huh. Sure. 'Friend.'"
He made air quotes with his fingers.
I didn't respond. Just walked past him toward the house.
Three minutes later, Logan was showing us around. The inside was even more impressive than the outside.
Logan was talking to someone on his phone. Probably the house staff.
"Put Aria and her boyfriend in the master suite on the third floor."
"He's not my—" I started.
Logan wasn't listening. "It's got the king-size bed, jacuzzi tub, and the best view. Perfect for couples."
Mia tried to help. "Logan, they're not—"
"Dude, you're gonna love it." Logan was looking at Caelan now. "The shower is huge. Like, easily fits two people."
He winked. "Not that I'm assuming anything."
Caelan was leaning against a doorframe. Arms crossed. "Sounds perfect.
"We're not sharing a room," I said.
"Oh come on, don't be shy."
"Yeah Master, it's fine." Silas's voice. "We won't judge."
Mia kicked him. "Stop making it worse!"
Logan continued like he hadn't heard. "Besides, after seeing him kick Kai's ass and basically claim you in front of everyone, I think the 'just friends' ship has sailed."
Silas and Logan moved to the side. Started talking in lower voices.
But they weren't quiet enough. I could still hear them.
"Yo Logan," Silas said. "Maybe put them in a room away from everyone else."
"Why? Oh—OH." Logan's grin got wider. "Good call. Don't want to keep everyone awake."
"Right? I mean, look at the guy." Silas pointed at Caelan. "He's built like a fucking tank. Bet he's got crazy stamina."
Logan looked at Caelan's body. At the obvious muscles under his shirt. "Dude's definitely jacked. Poor Aria's gonna be sore in the morning."
"IF she can walk in the morning."
They high-fived. I felt my face get hot. Really hot.
My brain did something weird. Images flashed through my mind without permission.
Caelan's body. The way his uniform fit across his shoulders. His chest.
I could see the outline of muscles under that black fabric.
My face got hot.