Page 173 of Aviatrix

Finally, he pulls back.

“What was that for?” I ask, ragged and breathless.

“For not being afraid,” he says. “Just like I knew you wouldn’t be.”

“You’re insufferable.” I sigh as his fingers trace lazy circles on my skin.

“You get that hangar open yet?” he asks between kisses.

“No, but I’m working on it.”

“The General is going to lose his shit.”

“26,000 people,” I remind him.

He cups my face with one hand, gentling me with his thumb. “Have I ever told you how brilliant you are?”

I laugh. “No, but you can say it again.”

“You’re brilliant.” Kiss. “And brave.” Another kiss.

I close my eyes, letting it all sink in.

“Does this mean you’re going with us?” I ask.

He smiles against my lips. “I’m going wherever you’re going, Quay.”

“Good.” I smirk.

The door flies open, nearly swinging off its hinges, startling both Eli and me.

Lark.

The Colonel exhales. “I didn’t realize the Major was in on this.”

I swallow hard. “The more people, the better our chances of saving lives.”

His eyes flick to how close our bodies are. “You sure don’t waste any time, do you?”

“Nope,” Eli replies with a smug look that makes me want to elbow him.

I reorient myself as Lark rattles off names—Atlas, Fox, Glitch, and two pilots from his Kyrgyzstan unit. They’re flying with us.

“We don’t have much time to get there,” I say, trying to refocus.

“Then we better fly like our asses are on the line,” Lark returns.

“The General’s in the middle of a top-secret video conference in the briefing room,” Eli adds. “If we’re going to go, it has to be now.”

Lark nods. “Alright.”

We’re going now, but…

“My mom,” I blurt. “I need to say goodbye.”

“She’s already headed to the hangar waiting for you,” Lark tells me.

Relief floods through me. “Thanks.”