Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Night had fallen, and the black Hummer tore down the highway.

The weather was no ally tonight. Nortia was a tropical country, and just as they neared the airport, thunder split the sky and a violent storm broke loose.

Visibility shrank to nearly nothing. The wipers thrashed desperately across the windshield, rain battering the glass with relentless force.

Blair eased up on the gas. The world outside dissolved into streaks of water and shadows.

Briony's heart pounded. Every muscle in her body was taut, strung tight with

nerves.

Blair kept murmuring reassurances, his hand resting on hers.

They pulled into the airport grounds.

A heavy-duty helicopter sat on the tarmac, rotors spinning, ready and waiting for them.

Blair parked and turned to her. "Wait here a minute. I'll go grab a raincoat. I'll be right back."

"Okay," Briony replied, voice thin.

Blair jumped out and dashed into the downpour.

Two pilots waited by the chopper, their silhouettes blurred by the rain.

Blair returned, soaked but determined, raincoat in hand. He yanked open the passenger door.

A fierce gust sent sheets of rain swirling into the Hummer.

Briony shivered, startled by the sudden chill.

The next moment, Blair slipped the raincoat around her, cocooning her trembling frame in its warmth.

helped her into the coat, then swept her up in his arms, striding

of the pilots ran over

set

said, his

anxiety still flickered in her eyes.

out of Nortia first.

asked, gripping

fastened her seatbelt. "Mr.

Briony stared at him.

Mr. Seven?

hesitated. "How does Mr. Seven

her, rain dripping from the brim of his cap. His gaze was steady, full of unspoken emotion. "Mr. Delaney realized

was it. Mr. Seven knew James-and knew how close she and James were, practically siblings. If James asked, Mr. Seven would definitely

pilots shouted,

"Shut the doors! Take

pilot slammed the

the captain gripped the controls.

this was

slid into the seat beside Briony

headlights sped closer, barreling

leading car, he could almost feel someone's gaze locked onto his, a silent battle waged across the

The helicopter's massive blades

as the convoynet

in, the chopper

to her seat as turbulence tossed the

low, reassuring voice reached her ear. "Don't be afraid. I'm

Briony's breath caught.

soared into the night, leaving the storm-wracked earth

below, rain lashed the