“I’m not about to go downstairs without the two of you.”
“You know Allister. He’s all bark. And that guy in the suit? He’s as harmless as a stray kitten,” Derek said, following Ellie and Ryan to the top of the escalator.
“I wouldn’t go that far.” Bradley groaned, motioning for Mac and Draegan as soon as they walked through the scan. “Come on McCalls. Allister has a problem.”
Below them, Allister and the stranger swapped threats. Ryan cursed under his breath. “Did someone mention a kitten? For the record, Mr. Jones doesn’t appear to be licking his wounds and purring.”
* * * *
“Tell me you didn’t just knock the shit out of some stranger.” A brooding Mac met Harley, Draegan, Markie, and Allister at the gate.
“Oh he did, sugar,” Markie informed him, shaking his head and sighing. “Let me see if I can fix this so we can all still fly together.”
Before anyone could stop him, not that Markie would’ve allowed it, he sashayed off to meet the stranger who had thrown a wrench in their travel plans. “You doin’ all right, hon?”
“Why am I not surprised?” The man dabbed his bloody lip with a handkerchief. “Let me guess. The girls in the bunch handle the men?”
“Careful darlin’, I might let you get one or two jabs, but when I punch back, I strike with enough force to make it count.” He grinned. “You sure are easy on the eyes, but I gotta let ya in on a secret. Allister ain’t interested. Neither is Ellie. I might have been before you opened your mouth and tried to insult me.”
The guy sneered. “I don’t need your help and for the record, I’m boarding the plane and flying. You guys are welcome to do the same. Not looking for trouble here.”
“If that were true, you wouldn’t have been ‘looking’ at Ellie.” Markie rested his hand in the curve of his waist and cocked his hip. “So are you pressing charges?”
“For what?” He folded his soiled handkerchief and stuck it in his jacket pocket.
The McCall brothers kept their attention on them, apparently awaiting Markie’s signal. He quickly motioned for them to go through the gate. The attendants, however, wouldn’t let Allister board. They evidently needed the final word from the bleeding traveler.
“You should probably talk to the airline’s personnel.”
“I’ll need a word with Mr. McCall first.”
“Um…” Markie peered over at a furious Allister and whimpered. “Oh boy.”
“Is there a problem?”
“Why don’t I um…” Markie fumbled with the right words. “I’ll work it out between you and Allister. What’d you say?”
“Very well then.” He reluctantly offered his hand. “Mr….”
“Just call me Markie.” He took the fellow’s hand and shook vigorously. “And think of me as a friend.” He gave Allister a sideways glance and then added lightly, “God knows you could use one.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I said, God knows it’s a pretty day for flying,” Markie said, lying. The clouds were dark and there was enough wind to promise turbulent skies, but it was nothing compared to the unrest there inside the terminal.
“Tell Mr. McCall all is forgotten. Still, I’ll keep my seat next to his friend for the first leg of our trip.”
“That’s probably not the best idea anyone has spoken aloud today,” Markie told him, processing what he’d said and the arrogance in which he’d said it. Had Ellie talked to this guy? Did he know they were headed to Miami and was he going there as well?
“McCall can accept what he can’t change or he can change his plans and reschedule his flight. Wonder how the little lady would feel about that?”
“She wouldn’t be overjoyed.” Markie stopped talking. “Wait right here. I’ll handle it.”
He trotted off in Allister’s direction, debating on the best way to broach the subject of Ellie’s seating assignment. Thanks to Mac, he didn’t have to worry about it.
“Let me guess. He isn’t pressing charges as long as Allister lets him sit next to Ellie?”
“Spot on.” Markie flipped his ticket around. “On a positive note, I have the seat across from them.”