The Rules: Book Five

Riggs looked out the window as the plane landed and taxied across the runway. His anticipation of seeing her grew with every inch the plane crept closer. He had booked the last seat on a 10-person jet leaving within the hour. All the men on the flight were businessmen, and then there was Riggs.

The jet had landed at a smaller airport, away from the hustle and bustle of Seoul International Airport. Riggs looked out the window and saw a small fleet of private cars waiting for the various people on board. They were all black sedans except for a large black SUV. The plane slowed and parked, and the other passengers got up and collected their bags as the door was opened and stairs were pushed to the plane.

A small, older businessman looked out the window at the awaiting fleet and then turned to Riggs, saying in near-perfect English, "I think the big one is for you."

"I think you may be right." He smiled.

Pak and Byun got out and stood next to the SUV as the small stream of traditional-looking businessmen made their way down the stairs to their awaiting cars, quickly heading out to their meetings.

"Which one is he?" Byun leaned over and asked right before Rigg's frame filled the airplane's doorway. "OH. Nevermind. Damn. He works for Hybe now?"

"Well, in a way." Pak grinned and opened Wendy's door, "Ready?" He helped her out as Riggs made it to the bottom of the stairs and started jogging over to them.

"OH my god, yes." Wendy barely made it out of the SUV two steps before Riggs tossed down his backpack and pulled her up off the ground in a huge hug, leaving her feet dangling. Byun walked back around to the driver's seat as Pak waited.

"Hi." She sighed.

"Hi, love. You good?"

"Now I am." She felt herself being lowered, her feet finally touching the pavement. Riggs ran his hands up her sides to her face, cradling it in his hands as he finally kissed her. He reluctantly pulled back, but not before staring into her eyes. As she stared back, her eyes started to well up a little.

"Ok." He said decisively but softly, "Pak, she's ready to go." He took his hands off her face and turned her to help her back into the car. Pak could feel Rigg's energy shift. He was taking over as her person, which Pak was ready to take a break from. He was ready to focus on just Jae, not that she was work, but he was ready for a break, too. Before the guys climbed in, Riggs reached out to shake his hand, "Good to see you. Thanks for everything."

"Thank the guys, I just work here." He winked.

"Bullshit, mate. But I'll thank them, too." They both climbed in and took off.

The ride back to the house felt quick. Byun and Pak spoke quietly in Korean in the front, while Riggs and Wendy talked quietly in the back. He had his arm around her as she was leaning against his body.

"I missed you." Their fingers intertwined and slowly danced together.

"I missed you too. Are you all rested from your world travels?"

"More or less. I took a nap today."

"Yeah? That's good. My bed has been traumatically lonely while you've been gone." he said quietly in her ear. She didn't reply but squeezed his hand and leaned into him more.

***

Ami and Jae stayed in her office talking while Pak and Wendy were off to get her man from the airport. It was the catch-up they needed to have before they returned. Ami filled her in on all the details of Iceland, the good, the traumatic ending, and the quick in and out of New York. She showed her pictures as Jae listened intently. "It sounds amazing, well, except for the earthquake part. " She smiled.