His Demure Mate

Chapter 5: Unexpected Turns

The airport buzzed with life, the low hum of announcements blending with the click of luggage wheels and murmurs of passengers hurrying through the terminal. I clutched my bag tightly, trying not to feel overwhelmed as Hunter led me through the crowd. He seemed at ease, weaving through the chaos like he’d done it a thousand times before. His calm confidence felt like a steady anchor, keeping me from getting swept away by my thoughts.

But a nagging question pressed at the back of my mind. As we approached a sleek black car waiting near a private gate, I finally gave in. “I thought we were heading to the hotel first?” I asked, my voice betraying my unease.

Hunter glanced back at me, his green eyes softening. “Not exactly,” he said, his tone careful. “There’s been a slight change of plans.”

I stopped, tightening my grip on the strap of my bag. “What kind of change?”

Before he could answer, the car door opened, and Kody stepped out. My breath hitched at the sight of him—his tall frame perfectly composed, his hazel-green eyes catching the glow of the terminal lights. He wore a tailored jacket that fit him too well to be anything but intentional, and the way he carried himself… it was enough to make me lose track of whatever question I’d just asked.

“Mishele,” he said warmly, his gaze steady but unreadable. “It’s good to see you.”

I blinked, momentarily forgetting how to speak. He was here. Waiting for me. But why? I managed to find my voice, though it sounded smaller than I intended. “What’s going on?”

Hunter stepped forward, clapping Kody on the shoulder. “Relax, Mishele. Kody’s just being his usual over-prepared self. He wanted to make sure everything was in place before you got here.”

Kody shot him a look, but there was no malice in it. Instead, he turned back to me, his expression softening. “I thought it would be better to discuss everything in person. And I figured you’d appreciate a little privacy.”

Privacy? That didn’t exactly put me at ease. “So… no hotel?” I asked, the tension in my chest growing.

Kody shook his head. “No hotel. Not tonight.”

Hunter smirked, his confidence practically radiating off him. “We’re taking you somewhere better.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but Kody gestured toward the private gate leading to a jet parked just beyond the glass doors. My eyes widened as I took in the sleek aircraft, its polished exterior gleaming under the floodlights.

“You have a private jet?” I blurted before I could stop myself.

Kody’s lips twitched into a small smile. “We do.”

We? I didn’t have time to unpack that as Hunter motioned for me to follow. “Come on,” he said, his tone light. “You’re going to love it.”

The Private Jet

The jet was unlike anything I’d ever seen, like something out of a movie. The interior was all cream-colored leather and polished wood, with seats that looked more comfortable than any chair I’d ever owned. A soft golden light illuminated the space, making it feel less like a plane and more like a luxurious hotel suite in the sky.

Hunter flopped into one of the plush chairs, stretching out with the kind of ease that suggested this wasn’t his first time here. Kody, ever composed, took the seat across from him, pulling out a sleek laptop and a stack of documents that looked far too serious for the relaxed atmosphere.

I hesitated in the doorway, clutching my bag as I took it all in. This was… surreal. I felt like I was intruding, stepping into a world that wasn’t mine to claim.

Hunter noticed my hesitation and patted the seat beside him. “You’re part of this now, Mishele. Come sit.”

I forced myself to move, sliding into the seat and gripping the armrests like the jet might take off without warning. The hum of the engines beneath my feet was strangely soothing, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I didn’t belong here.

“You didn’t tell me you two knew each other,” I said, glancing between them.

Hunter grinned, his green eyes lighting up. “Known him since we were babies. Our families go way back.”

Kody gave him a pointed look, his hazel-green eyes narrowing slightly. “Don’t let him fool you. Hunter’s been a pain since day one.”

Hunter laughed, leaning back in his seat. “And you’ve been an insufferable perfectionist. Some things never change.”

Despite myself, I smiled. Their banter was easy, familiar, like brothers who knew each other too well but wouldn’t trade that connection for anything. It made me feel… safe. Like maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t as alone as I thought.

The Flight

As the jet took off, Kody turned his attention to his laptop, typing away with the kind of focus that made me wonder what exactly he did for a living. Hunter, on the other hand, leaned back with his arms crossed behind his head, looking completely at ease.

“You’re quiet,” Hunter said, glancing at me from the corner of his eye. “Something on your mind?”

I hesitated, unsure how much to share. “It’s just… a lot,” I admitted. “Leaving everything behind. Starting over. I’m not sure I know how to do that.”

Hunter’s grin softened into something more sincere. “You don’t have to have it all figured out right now. That’s why you’ve got us.”

His words warmed something in me, but I didn’t let it show. “You don’t even know me.”

“Not yet,” he said, his tone light. “But I’m good at this kind of thing. Stick with me, and you’ll be fine.”

Before I could respond, Kody spoke without looking up from his laptop. “Don’t let him fool you, Mishele. He’s just trying to score points.”

Hunter smirked. “Says the guy who insisted on bringing the jet.”

Kody ignored him, his focus already back on his work. I couldn’t help but smile, the tension in my chest easing just a little.

Settling In

After an hour or so, Kody finally looked up from his laptop, his hazel-green eyes meeting mine. “There’s a small bedroom in the back,” he said, nodding toward the narrow hallway behind us. “You can rest there if you’re tired. I’ll be working most of the night.”

I hesitated, not wanting to seem ungrateful or rude. “Are you sure? I don’t want to take your space.”

Kody’s expression softened. “You’ve had a long day. Take the room. You’ll be more comfortable there.”

Hunter stretched, his chair creaking slightly. “He’s not going to take no for an answer, you know. Might as well give in.”

Heat rose to my cheeks, but I nodded. “Thank you,” I said quietly.

Kody gave a small nod before returning to his laptop, his focus already shifting back to the work in front of him. Hunter gave me a lazy wave as I made my way down the hall.

The Bedroom

The small bedroom at the back of the jet was cozy, with a neatly made bed and soft lighting that bathed the space in warmth. I dropped my bag onto the floor and sank onto the mattress, my body finally letting go of the tension I hadn’t realized I was holding.

The past few days had been a whirlwind—standing up to my father, leaving my old life behind, stepping onto this jet with two men who believed in me more than I believed in myself. It was all too much, and yet… it felt right.

I stretched out on the bed, staring at the ceiling as my thoughts swirled. Kody and Hunter. Greece. The offer. It was overwhelming, but for the first time in years, I felt like I wasn’t just running in circles. I was moving forward.

As sleep began to pull me under, one thought lingered in my mind: Maybe I’m finally on the path I was meant to take.