Page 95 of Mile High Heist

I snapped upright and backed away, my smile undoubtedly turning deranged. “E-Enjoy your food, sir.”

He turned slowly in his seat, tracking my retreat.

My heel caught on the metallic hatch of the server bay with a sharp ‘ping’. I stumbled, then righted myself on shaky legs.

He was facing me completely now. The co-pilot in the pristine white uniform. The tattoo of a viper on his wrist. The cold, calculating eyes.

The perfect camouflage.

Lucille was already at the door, swiping her ID badge. Our job was done.

I took another step back, unwilling to turn around. To expose my back. My heart thumped in my throat.

What happened next, happened in a matter of seconds.

Five heartbeats, each one threatening to crack through my ribs.

The Viper reached down beside him. There was a flash of silver. His mouth moved in a command. STOP.

A hand clawed at my arm, and suddenly I was yanked through the door.

There was a sound like a lightning strike.

I stumbled again, into the galley. Lucille stood in the doorway, staring at me with wide, shocked eyes.

My heart slammed into my ribcage.

I stared back at Lucille, uncomprehending. Then a bright crimson spot appeared on her forehead. It spilled open, blood running in parallel streams over her eyes.

She tipped forward and crumpled to the ground.

Dead.

My eyes lifted, unblinking. I watched as the co-pilot raised his arm again, gun aimed squarely at me. I didn’t move. I couldn’t.

I waited for the gunshot. I’mdeadI’mdeadI’mdead.

“Come here,” he commanded.

Then suddenly, the captain rushed him, his huge body barreling into the assassin.

Another lightning strike.

The automatic timer clicked, and the cockpit door closed like a final curtain.

I stared at it.

There was blood on my face.

Lucille was dead.

There was blood in my mouth.

Lucille was dead.

There was a Viper in the cockpit. He had a gun.

We were all dead.