Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
“Why would he help me?” I put my mouth at her ear. “I’m fucking his wife.”
She goes rigid, her gaze darting toward the cockpit where Monty steers us through the skies, holding our fate in his hands. “I’m not his, Kody. Not anymore.”
Leo snorts, glancing out the window at the clouds racing past. “Monty doesn’t believe that.”
“You’re his brother.” She meets my gaze.
“And Denver’s brother. Let’s not forget they assassinate and rape their brothers.”
She sucks in a breath. “I’m sorry. You’re right.”
“Don’t apologize. Always speak your mind with me.”
“It’s just…he knows we’re facing a tough transition, and he’s offering a bridge to help us get established. It’s not just about the vodka. It’s about giving us a means to stand on our own.”
“The sooner we stand on our own,” I say, “the sooner we move you out of his house. He doesn’t want that.”
“Okay, fine.” She sighs. “It’s more than an investment for him. But it could also be an extension of trust, a way for him to make amends for hurting me.”
“Or a way to keep us under his control.” Leo folds his arms on the table, regarding her. “To bind you further to him.”
She nods, her hand finding mine and squeezing tightly.
“Nothing needs to be decided now.” I relax in the seat, tucking her against my chest. “We’ll talk it over later.”
This isn’t a decision I can make on my own. It affects all of us.
“What about you?” She tips her head at Leo. “Did you discuss your dream job with him?”
Before he answers, Tanya rolls in a cart loaded with more food than three people can eat.
She places the dishes on the small fold-out table between us. Gleaming silver trays covered with assortments of cheeses I can’t name. Slivers of smoked salmon that look like they’ve been cut with a surgeon’s precision. Tiny glasses filled with creamy soup topped with green herbs.
“Another vodka?” She smiles at me.
I decline, and she turns to Leo, who shovels in food like he’s still on rations.
“Water for everyone.” Frankie unfolds a napkin. “Thank you.”
“Would you like to move to the rear?” Tanya gives her a pointed look on my lap. “It would be more comfortable—”
“We’re comfortable.” I lock an arm around Frankie’s waist, holding her in place.
As Tanya pushes away the cart, Frankie plucks a wedge of cheese from the platter and arches a brow at Leo.
He meets her gaze, a half-smile breaking through as he inhales several slices of salmon. “Yeah, Monty brought up my career goals. It’s like he memorized your damn journal.”
“His mind is sharp and misses nothing.” She gulps down her bourbon. “Remember that.”
“He offered to help me get my pilot’s license.”
“You should.” I sample the soup, groaning at the burst of flavor. “Then what?”
“Then I have some decisions to make. Do I want to be an aviation mechanic? Run a pilot school? Own a seaplane base in Sitka? Or a private airport somewhere else?”
“All of the above.” She winks at him.
“You bet your sweet ass.” He winks back and pops the last of the salmon into his mouth. “Watching him fly this bird, seeing everything from the co-pilot’s seat, it’s a different kind of freedom.”
“More freeing than winging it out of the hills?” My lips twist.
“I risked your lives.” His expression hardens. “I almost lost you.”
“You saved us.” She reaches across the table and grips his hand. “No matter what you decide to do, you’ll be fantastic at it. You’ve always been good at fixing things and explaining how everything works. You taught me so much at Hoss.”
“But starting from scratch in an unfamiliar world? That’s different. It’s daunting.”
“I get it. Not too long ago, I was a fish out of water in your world, remember?”
“I remember, love.” His eyes soften.
“Kody and I will be with you. If Monty’s willing to help, take advantage of it. Or don’t, and we’ll find another way. You can make this happen. I believe in you.”
I watch him closely, trying to appraise his feelings about it. He’s intrigued, maybe even excited by the prospect, but there’s an uneasiness in his posture. A holdover from our trauma with Denver.
Trust doesn’t come easy for us, especially where Monty’s concerned. Like she said, he’s sharp. Perhaps as calculating as Denver. We can’t forget that.
Tanya returns, bringing out plates of steak, the pieces so tender they nearly fall apart under the prod of her serving fork, alongside heaps of golden buttery potatoes.
A basket of warm, crusty bread permeates the cabin with a pleasant, familiar scent.
Frankie explains what everything is, showing us how to eat it. Like the chocolate fondue set. Tanya places it on the table across the aisle with fruits and marshmallows for dipping and a separate plate piled high with assorted macarons in pastel colors.
Every dish is a statement, not just of wealth but of a world where food isn’t just survival. It’s an art, a luxury.