Stolen Flyght – Chapter 6

The weather has changed on Sonoma since I’ve been gone. Harvest time means cooler weather incoming, rain, and leaves changing color. The sky is overcast, and the air heavy with moisture as I step from the autocab with Jinzo, Ken, and Gus. Mat’s smile is barely visible over his scarf as he approaches the car to greet us, and it relaxes the knot in my stomach. Though we’ve spoken over messages the last week, I wasn’t sure how excited he was to see me again. With all the media attention I’ve gotten, I suspected he’d be more than happy to send me packing.

“Hi.” I approach him carefully, worried I’ve been reading him wrong.

He sweeps in and picks me up in a giant hug, squeezing a guffaw of a laugh from me.

A forceful exhale against my neck lets me know he’s happy and relieved I’m here. Good. I didn’t misjudge our previous conversations.

Setting me down, he smooths back my errant hair and looks me in the eyes for a moment before dropping his hands to sign. “Hello, gorgeous.”

A little icy part of my heart melts at the compliment.

“I’m glad you’re all here.” He smiles at the guys, and they approach for handshakes and a few words of greeting. “How are you, Gus? Your arm?” he asks, and I translate.

“I’m good, thanks. I’m fortunate the break wasn’t too bad. It was just painful until I got to the hospital.”

“That’s good news. Let’s go inside. The sun will set soon, and it’ll get chilly out here. I have dinner planned for us indoors.”

Mat takes my hand in his and leads us inside to the dining room I’ve already had more than one meal in. Glancing over my shoulder, I keep looking for his head of staff, Peter Banderas, even though I shouldn’t. Mat fired him after the incident in the horse stables. I wonder how Mat is getting along without him.

The table is already laid out for dinner before we walk into the room. Plates of crisp greens topped with cheese and apples sit at each place. Wine has been uncorked, and warm bread steams in baskets next to lit candles.

Well, I picked the right man. He knows how to woo me — with food.

I’m given the seat to Mat’s right, and Jinzo sits to his left. Ken and Gus sit across the table.

“Please, let’s eat and chat,” he signs, and I repeat. Something about this repetitive action comforts me. I love that he fits in, even with me having to translate for him. I hope the guys learn some sign language, so I don’t always have to be a go-between.

Look at me! I’m thinking positive about the future!

“What did you think of the media attention about Vivian’s brother? The video and all that?” Jinzo asks right off the bat. I haven’t even put a bite of food in my mouth, and Jinzo is getting straight to the point. We’ve always feared Mat would not want to join my network because of the gossip surrounding me.

Mat laughs his silent, breathy chuckle. “I love that she flipped him off right as he was sabotaging her.” He mimics me and my upraised middle fingers. Ken laughs, too. “I was glad to see the whole video surfaced, and people backed off. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that Vivian doesn’t enjoy the constant scrutiny. I was worried about her.”

I smile down at my salad as I finish translating.

“And you’re not upset she didn’t tell you about Tomu?” Jinzo pries. The conversation is like he’s the good cop grilling a suspect. I wonder who the bad cop is.

“Let me be honest,” he signs, and I tense all my muscles. “I was surprised to find out he had been on the ship. But I don’t expect the world from Vivian after only three or four days together. Trust is something that’s earned, not bestowed upon people at first glance. She trusted me with a lot, and I’m sure if we had been together longer, she’d have let me into the circle a little farther. I’m not angry or upset. I’m looking forward to being a part of such a… lively network.”

“Lively is just the term I would use,” Gus says, lifting his glass to toast.

I laugh, and it comes out as a snort, which makes everyone else chuckle. Oh yes, ‘lively’ is totally how I want to be known.

We lift our glasses and toast. The crisp rosé slips down my throat, and my body relaxes. Okay. I think the hard part is out of the way.

Ken asks Mat how the harvest went, and we make small talk for most of the meal. Getting to know each other is an essential part of the process, and the members of my network must get along. I want nothing like what Cressida had. I’m hoping we can all remain friends throughout our lives. It’s a lot to ask of the universe, but I might be at a deficit now to universal favors. I could use a little good karma coming back my way.

Once the meal is complete, Mat rises from the table. “Drinks and dessert in the library?” he asks, and we all agree that’s a grand idea.

I’ve only ever walked past his library, and I wanted to go in each time I saw it. I love the rich wood walls and the fireplace. Mat only has one bookshelf full of actual books and uses the other shelves to display photos and collectibles. There’s even a ship in a bottle that catches my eye.

“Wow. I think I’ve only heard about ships in bottles in books or dramas.” The ship’s structure is intricate with double masts and ropes. I can even see the carved details in the wooden hull.

“My adoptive father made that. I don’t have the patience for that kind of hobby.”

“I think there are only a few replica ships like this in the Duo Systems.” I circle to the left to look at the rear of the ship. “Maybe on Laguna?”

“Yes,” Jinzo chimes in, standing next to us. “People take luxury cruises on them.”

“Speaking of luxury cruises,” Ken says, pouring whiskey into a tumbler with a giant square of ice. He hands the glass to Gus. “What do you want, Vivi?”

“A glass of red wine, please. Whatever Mat recommends.”

Mat hands a carafe of wine to Ken, and Ken pours me a glass. Once we have drinks and are seated by the fireplace, Ken picks up where he left off.

“As you know, we lost the Amagi to the military in the… conflict.”

“Conflict is a gracious way of putting it,” I mumble into my wine glass.

“What they did was criminal,” Mat signs. “I’ve seen some horrible behavior from the military in my time. They even commandeered a farm here on Sonoma once.” He shakes his head. “That lasted all of a week before the government got involved and kicked them out. Eminent domain does not apply to the military, no matter how much they try to rewrite the laws.”

“We know where the Amagi is,” Jinzo says, sipping his drink. “It’s on Neve, in one of their military bases, with several other commandeered ships.”

“What are they doing with it?” Mat asks. He looks at me as I translate, but then I stare into my wine, unable to look at him until we pop the question. I curl my legs under me and rest my head against the side of the giant chair I chose next to the fire.

“Hard to tell. They’re offloading the ship’s parts. Maybe other things, too. We’re unsure.”

“But it’s there. You’ve seen it?” Mat indicates I need to translate.

“Sorry. I’m getting sleepy. The products of excellent food and wine.” I smile at him and then translate.

“We’ve seen it on video feeds. Our tech engineer has acquired security footage of the Neve base. We saw it there with several other stolen craft.”

Mat looks from Jinzo to Ken and Gus before making eye contact with me.

He slowly nods before taking a long pull from his drink.

“You’re going to ask me for a ship,” he says, and tears cloud my eyes as I translate. “And not just the ship. You want me to bring you there.”

He whistles and the gesture surprises me. I giggle and press my fingers to my mouth. The long, low whistle is so close to words it feels like him speaking aloud. Gus reaches into his back pocket, pulls out a handkerchief, and brings it to me.

“No more tears, Vivi,” he says, touching my hair and a tear on my cheek. I nod and dab at my eyes.

“I’m sorry to ask this of you. It’s just —”

“I’ll do it,” he interrupts, and I’m so shocked I take a moment to process his signs before I speak them. “I’ll be happy to do it. I have nothing to lose with the military. My contract is up with them after this harvest, anyway.” He pauses to drink again. “They can’t put me in jail, either. Most foster system kids get a free pass.”

He winks at me, and I hold in my worry and anxiety for him. He must be joking and doesn’t want me to fret over his help. No one gets a free pass.

“I think it’s fair to say we’re all in this together, right?” Mat asks, and the guys nod. Gus lifts his drink. “I haven’t signed a contract with Vivian, but it’s only a matter of time. We’re excellent matches.”

I really have to hold back the tears now. Finally, this room holds my network, all four men I’m ready to or have committed to. Yet, each day that goes by, more shitty things happen to me, and I have to wonder why they’re here, why they’re with me.

The crackling fire in the fireplace draws my attention, and I stare into the flames, keeping my doubts to myself. No one wants to hear them. They’re as sick of my doubts as I am. It’s hard to talk myself out of speaking because I keep coming up with ways in which I’m inadequate or unsuccessful or a hot mess.

“What Vivian sometimes fails to realize,” Jinzo begins, draining his drink, “is that we’re here for her, not for her farm, not for her money.”

I bring my attention back to Jinzo. His smile is small and sad.

“She’s determined, smart, ambitious, and kind. Her strength and her generosity are both endless. She’s going to make a superb partner, mother, and business owner.”

My face flushes at these compliments.

“I saw that right away,” Mat says, and I have to clear my throat to translate. “Fate brought us together when I wasn’t looking.”

“Same here.” Ken’s smile is distant, living in the past. “She walked into my life when I had no idea what I wanted.”

Jinzo and Gus raise their glasses.

“Guys…” I have to stop to clear my throat. “Stop. You could have had it so much easier with someone else.”

Jinzo waves his hand. “This shit? This is nothing. Just wait until we’re all knee-deep in diapers and haven’t slept in three months.”

“I already know what it’s like to live without sleep,” I say wearily.

“Then you’re ready to handle parenthood like a pro.” Gus sets his glass down and stands up. “I think it’s time we head back to the hotel. Vivian is set to stay here tonight.”

Mat signs his thanks. “We’ll meet up on my ship tomorrow. No need to hire another Flyght ship.”

As each one of them leaves, I grasp their hand and squeeze. Jinzo, though, always stops to kiss me when he exits a room. That’s his way of letting me know he’s prepared to do his job as number one. I lift my chin until my lips touch his, and he lingers for a second longer than I expected.

“We’ve got this handled. I’m not worried one bit. So get some rest here tonight, okay?”

I nod and hold his hand until he breaks away.

The door closes behind them, and I get to my feet to sit next to Mat on the couch.

“So, I have some small, bad news, and I have to apologize.” I look down into my glass of wine. “That beautiful bracelet you bought for me was one casualty of losing the Amagi. I’m so sorry. I hope I get it back.”

His fingers graze my chin, prompting me to look up at him.

“I can always buy more jewelry. It’s more important that you’re safe.”

I pull my legs up onto the couch and snuggle in next to him.

“Do you think Peter is somewhere, looking for revenge? He had an awesome job here, and now he has nothing.”

Mat shrugs. “I haven’t heard from him since he left. If he comes back, I’ll deal with him. I suspect he’s out there doing more child smuggling or he’s hiding out from those people.”

He turns and takes the glass of wine out of my hand. “I secured my bedroom. Took out every camera and bug. Even had a professional come and do a security sweep. I would love to sleep with you tonight, but I’ll understand if you want to sleep alone in a guest room. You have every reason not to trust me —”

“I do trust you. I do. I didn’t trust Peter. He made me suspicious more than once, so I’m glad he’s gone, though I don’t like what had to happen for him to go.” I rest my hand on his knee, and I’m heartened by how easy the gesture is for me. “Why me?” He raises his eyebrows. “No. Seriously. I want to hear what you have to say on the matter.” I pause and then close my eyes. “I just realized how horribly ableist that phrase is. Sorry.”

He smiles and squeezes my hand before picking up his own hand to sign.

“That’s why. That’s one of the dozens of reasons I’ve found in the last week for why I’m into you. But we also connected on a deeper level.” He touches his chest. “There’s a connection here, even if it’s new, and we don’t know what to do with it yet.” He traces the same spot on my chest, over my heart. “You feel it too. I can see it in your eyes.” He smiles. “Your eyes speak louder than your words, Vivian. Let’s not spoil things with too much thought.”

Yes, please. I think way too much. Every time I start thinking, I ruin things.

“Okay by me.”

He nods. “Good. Now, let’s listen to music, finish our drinks, and then I’m taking you to bed. Sorry to say, you may not get much sleep.”

I mock disappointment. “Promises, promises.”

His return gaze is knee-melting serious. “I always keep my promises.”