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I glance over at Fallon who nods and walks right into the open doorway, completely fearless and unfazed. She gives her rope a quick tug and steps out of the aircraft with zero hesitation. As she’s hoisted up, I look over at Aidan who has his gun trained on the pilot.
“Maddox and Ivy, you’re up,” Jack says and my heart crashes wildly within my chest. Maddox gives me a reassuring nod and steps into the doorway, waiting for me.
You can do this,my inner cheerleader yells, pom-poms shaking.
I feel like I’m going to puke, but I ignore it and tighten my grip on the rope.Please, don’t break.Just as I’m about to step forward, from the corner of my eye, I see the pilot and Vitello silently communicating, sharing a look that can only mean trouble. But before I can warn the others, the pilot pushes the yoke forward and the entire plane pitches downward, throwing everyone off their feet with its force.
Maddox goes tumbling out of the doorway and panic slices through me, but then I remember the rope attached to him. Everyone else flies upwards, momentarily floating. Like on one of those zero gravity flights. But then gravity jerks me back down and I slam into the side of a seat. The plane feels like it’s heading straight down, but I barely have time to register what’s happening before we bank sideways, bouncing around like crazy.
The last thing I remember is Jack yelling my name, and then diving forward in an attempt to catch my hand. I feel myself slipping, the wind currents sucking me away from him. Our fingertips brush and then I slide right out the door with a piercing scream.
Although I know it’s only for a moment, I feel suspended in time, floating in absolute nothingness. Just blue sky all around me and I’m free falling. Strangely enough, the terror subsides and is replaced by an eerie calm.
Maybe this is how it feels before you die.
I close my eyes, bringing up an image of Eric smiling at me. That stupid, cocky flyboy grin. The one I’ve grown to love so very much.
And then the rope I’m attached to snaps and holds. The roar of two plane engines brings me back to the present and I’m being hauled up to a second airplane. The one Eric is flying.
I’m not dying today.Not when the man I love is so close and I’m seconds away from being in his arms.
Daring to look down, I spot Jack, Aidan and Max hanging not too far below me and ascending as well.Thank God.Far below us, the other plane begins turning in a death spiral and within moments, it crashes into the ocean, breaking apart on impact. I suck in a sharp breath and tears prick my eyes as I realize how close to death I just came.
Way too close for comfort.
In less than a minute, Maddox and Dom pull me into the Slater jet and I stand there for a moment before collapsing to my knees.
“Ivy…sweetness…” Eric murmurs, bringing me back to the present. He gathers me close, whispering reassuring words in my ear, and I grip onto him harder than I ever have before. The tears start rolling down my cheeks and I press my face into his chest, shaking uncontrollably. His comforting scent of fresh air and laundry soap surrounds me as I fall apart in his arms.
Eventually, I lift my head and look into his intense green-gray eyes.
“Why aren’t you flying the plane?” I ask.
“Autopilot, sweetness. But somebody needs to turn this bird around. Wanna be my co-pilot?”
“Yes, please,” I whisper.
Eric stands, carrying me with him, and when we reach the small cockpit, he leans forward to settle me in the seat beside his, but I don’t want to let go. My arms are wrapped tightly around his neck.
“You’re okay,” he says in a soothing voice. “Let’s get you buckled up next to me, okay?” I reluctantly release my hold and he gently lowers me down into the co-pilot’s chair.
He’s being so sweet and attentive and I reach up, curl my fingers into his white t-shirt and pull him down. “I never thought I’d see you again,” I say, unable to hide how distraught I sound.
His hands cover mine and he leans his forehead against mine. “Fair warning. You’re never getting rid of me, my Ivy in the Sky.Never.”
“Promise me,” I whisper.
“I promise.” He presses a soft, tender kiss to my lips. “Ready to go home?”
Home.It sounds so right, so good, and I nod.
Because now I know that home is wherever Eric is.
???
After we land, I’m feeling so much better. Near-death experiences are not fun, but Eric has his arm around my shoulders and I’m tucked against his body. I’ve never felt so protected. Everyone is talking and the adrenaline is high. I’m sure these guys have escaped death on more than one occasion, but this is new for me and I stay quiet, listening to them.
“Well, we cheated death one more time,” Aidan states and a chorus of “hooyah” fills the air.
