Calloused

5

"Niall?" I called out his name as I gently shook his shoulder. We had finally made it to the air port.

"Gah! How long was I out?" Niall asked me as he jolted up in his seat.

"An hour. Come on, we gotta go." I said, opening my door and getting out. No surprise, the air outside was hot. Jack had gotten my bag from the back and was heading towards the private jet.  The words, Rivera Enterprises was witten along the side of it in bold, black letters.

Almost home.

My mind was a mess of emotions. I was happy and excited to see my family. But another part of me was worried and filled with dread to see them. What if they were upset with me? Would they hold a grudge against me for not contacting them and breaking my word?
I was full of uncertainty. Was I ready to return to this lifestyle?

"Let's go Sky!" Niall smiled, gesturing for me to board the plane. I walked up the steps, holding the railing for support. The interior looked the exact same as I remembered it.

Red carpet and black leather seats. There were a few flight attendants present, each wearing black dress pants and fancy white button ups. Their hair was either pulled back into ponytails or buns. Theh wore gold earrings and red painted nails. Red lips to match their dark eye makeup.

My father really felt like Dracula at times due to his taste in dark, luxurious things. And he was also very particular on how our employees dressed.

The men always had to be in black suits, black dress shoes and ties. Their hair always had to be presentable. Women usually wore dress pants and a nice blouse. Their nails and hair had to be presentable as well.

There were no exceptions, including me. When I was out in the field, I also had to look presentable.

"It even smells the same." I muttered, taking a seat across from Niall. One of the flight attendants had come over to us and offered him a glass of champagne on a tray.

"Some things don't change." He shrugged, grabbing a drink off of the tray. She smiled politely at me and presented me with a glass of my own.

"I would like a glass of whiskey, please." I smiled back. She nodded and immediately headed towards the small bar they had behind the curtain towards the front of the plane.

"Since when did you start drinking whiskey?" Niall asked, raising an eyebrow at me. I smirked.

"A lot has changed." I said proudly.

"She's right about that, I can barley recognize her anymore." Louis muttered, sitting in the seat next to Niall.

"Not to much though. I'm pretty sure she is still capable of ripping your throat out with her bare hands." Liam laughed, taking a seat next to me.

"And the bullying begins." I groaned.

"Just so we're clear-" Niall's words fell short once the flight attendant returned with my drink.

"Thanks love." I winked at her. She blushed and smiled back before returning to her original place.

"What was that?" Liam questioned me with a smirk. I rolled my eyes, taking a sip.

"Haven't seen someone flirt before?" I squinted my eyes.

"No, I just didn't realize you-"

"As I was saying. Just so we're clear, we have to watch what we say around these people. They're not involved in any of the illegal part of the business. So keep a low profile." Niall butted in with a hushed tone. I nodded in understanding.

"I dated girls before, they're just as much work as men." I shrugged, changing the subject.

"You never told us." Liam gasped.

"And you never asked." I shrugged, taking another sip.
"My father knows, but my mother doesn't." I added, crossing my legs.

"Damn, that's kinda surprising." Liam shook his head.

"How's life been at home." I asked, switching the subject again.

"The usual, nothing really new. Just working on finding Vincent. But it seems like he's following you soooo..." Niall shrugged, taking a sip of his champagne.

"That's comforting, thanks." I squinted at him in annoyance.

"I mean, best way to lure him out is him knowing you're back in town. We've already doubled security at home. There's several guards on duty 24/7 as well." Liam reassured me. I slumped back in my seat.

"I see, at least my parents are being safe about everything." I sighed.

"The safest place for you right now, is with your parents. Plus you know we'll always have your back." Niall added.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seat belts. We are preparing to take off." The pilots voice sounded through the speakers.

We did as we were told. Each flight attendant came by to make sure we were securely buckled before heading to their own seats.

The plane started to speed down the strip as it prepared to enter the sky above.

Within minutes we were high enough in the air  to move around once again. 

I decided to finish my drink in a few big gulps. I waved at the same woman from before.

"May I have another one, please?" I smiled widely. She nodded and eagerly went to refill my glass.

"Nervous?" Liam asked, watching my reaction closely. There was no use lying to him, he could see right through me.

"Now that is an understatement." I chuckled.

"Your parents have missed you, you have nothing to worry about." He tried to reassured me.

"Ah, but that is where you are wrong.. I have plenty to worry about, dear friend." I smirked as the woman returned with my glass. She took the old one. I nodded to her in Thanks, making her blush again.

"Like?" Liam asked once she had disappeared again.

"The obvious one. And the second obvious one." I snorted.

"Mm, I see. So you're worried about him  and Vincent." Liam confirmed.

"Something like that. It is, what it is." I sighed and took another drink.

Niall and Louis were busy having their own conversations. I perked up at the sight of a cigarette in between Niall's fingers. I leaned forward and plucked the think stick from him.

"Oi!" He protested. I was too busy taking a drag to acknowledge his annoyance.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist." I smirked at him.

"Whatever S, I'll just have to light another one. Just make sure you ash in the tray, your father gets irritated if he finds any on the floor." Niall grumbled, pulling another cigarette from his pack and lighting it up.

"Of course, I can be respectful." I smiled, leaning over to flick my ashs in the tray just as he asked.

The rest of the plane ride was spent catching up. It felt like I had never left, the guys had always been so welcoming. Well, once they actually got to know me.

When we first met, I'm pretty sure they all wanted me dead because of how bossy and annoying I was. Now we all get along like siblings. My father wanted it that way because he knew that in the face of danger, they'd take a bullet for me without a second thought.

But what my father didn't know, was that I would do the same.

I would die for them.
I would die for anyone loyal to my family.