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“Right. Until I fall off and smash into a thousand tiny, splatty pieces.”

He choked back a laugh. “Not going to happen.”

As the bird jerked, gaining speed, she screamed again.

He tightened his arms around her. “I won’t let you fall.”

A pause. “I know.”

He smiled and pressed his face against the top of her head. He let himself enjoy the ride. The view was magnificent, and as the bird took them higher into the air, he stroked Dakota’s hair, enjoying the feel of her against him. He was damn glad it was finally just the two of them. He was scratching Sulla off his visitor list for good.

“Are you going to take a look at the view?” he asked.

“No.”

With a smile, he looked down at the city below. From up here, all you saw was the beauty. The delicate network of waterways and bridges, the lovely buildings, and lush pops of greenery. Ahead, the mountain rose up. It was almost a perfect cone with a neat point at the top, and was covered in dense vegetation. He could just make out a small cluster of white buildings nestled on the slope near the summit.

“The view is lovely, and there’s nothing to be afraid of. You won’t fall. I’ll take care of you.”

He felt her move her head, turning it so she could get a glimpse. He saw her cheeks were pale, and her lips pressed into a tight line. But damned if she didn’t do it. Despite her fear, she took a look down, swallowed, and then pressed her face back to his chest.

That was what was different about Dakota. She was afraid of heights, but she’d climbed aboard this beast. She was terrified, but she still looked down. It didn’t matter if she was afraid, if there were risks involved, Dakota still leaped, still acted, despite her fear.

The other little thing that niggled in under his skin was the fact that she trusted him to hold her and keep her safe.

The rikoo appeared to know exactly where it was going. They flew close to the wires of the cable car. The metal cables ran from the summit right down to the city. He could see one elegant glass-and-metal cage resting halfway down. He didn’t know what maintenance they were doing on it, but he bet that the cable car gave a beautiful view when it was in operation.

Dakota moved again and he saw her glance down as they zipped under the wires of the cable car. She laughed. “Okay, so I don’t like heights, but I have to admit, the view is pretty good.”

“We’ll be coming into land soon.”

“Stars.” Her arms tightened on him. “For some reason, it’s the takeoff and landing that’s the worst.”

They flew closer to the small mountain town. Narrow roads twisted through white buildings. He saw a large wooden deck cantilevered out over the hill. As the beast flew closer to the deck, Dare guessed that was the landing spot.

Moments later, the animal swooped lower, and Dakota let out a small moan.

“Hey.” He forced her to look at him. “Just look at me. Don’t look anywhere else.”

“You are pretty easy on the eyes.”

He smiled at her. “Right back at you.”

“I’m not beautiful, Dare. I’m not like the Amber Lynns you must always get on every convoy.”

“No, but that doesn’t make you any less attractive. Beauty isn’t just about what someone looks like on the outside.”

“I’m not like those stunning women at Vero’s.” She frowned. “You know he doesn’t treat them right. The curvy one, Keena, is recovering from surgery. He removed her womb.”

Dare felt a hard twist of disgust. “It would take away from his pleasure.”

Dakota frowned at him. “How could you ever enjoy spending time with him? It sounds like you’ve…partied with him a few times before.”

“It was a mistake. One I’ve since rectified. I never wanted to come back here, and I especially didn’t want to bring you here.”

“You knew what Vero would be like.”

“Yes.”