Page 57 of Kage

Stone wrestling with the plane’s door.

A hard slam jarred my system once again before Kage eased me onto my butt on another hard surface.

“Get us the fuck out of here.” Kage’s voice held an entirely different level of tension. He was hunched over, staring out one of the small windows, his jaw clenched.

“I’m on it, buddy. Let’s see if air traffic control cooperates.” Stone was still laughing as if the entire horrible scene was nothing but one big game.

Tank crowded my space, panting with his tongue hanging out. The terror was real. I wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his neck. Nothing would drown out the revving of the plane’s engine or the constant cursing Kage was doing from only feet away.

A few additional popping sounds forced a whine from Tank’s throat. I squeezed his warm body even more tightly, issuing a silent prayer we’d make it out of here alive.

As the plane roared to life, almost every other sound was drowned out, actions taken in slow motion.

But Tank was my constant, my rock, pushing his heavy body against mine as if attempting to protect me.

Seconds passed.

Minutes.

I heard a sudden shout.

“I gotta bank to the left, kids. Hold on.” The plane was suddenly pulled, the shift scooting me and Tank across the floor. Only to be caught by Kage.

I stared into his eyes, only able to take shallow breaths. His massive arm wrapped around us both. And for once, he offered a comforting smile. “I’ve got you. Don’t worry. I won’t let you go.”

My teeth were chattering, fear pushing another toxic injection into my bloodstream. “I’ll hold you to that, military man.”

He lifted a single eyebrow as the plane was suddenly righted. “I know you will.”

Additional minutes passed.

Kage barking orders.

Stone yelling at him.

Tank panting.

Pounding in my ears.

It was all too much.

We were going to die.

We were. Going. To. Die.

Yet as a feeling of floating swept through me, a strange sense of freedom became an incredible moment of euphoria.

Maybe we were going to live after all.

CHAPTER 16

Kage

We were fucking alive.

Miracles never ceased.

“She’s sleeping,” I said absently as I pushed my way into the cockpit.

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