I forced myself to focus on breathing. On the simple inhale and exhale. Forced myself to remember the most important thing. Parker was okay. I’d seen him rising to his knees.
He’d get away from the plane and the fire before the entire thing went up.
I had time.
Because Ike wouldn’t kill me until I’d talked to Dad.
And that was his biggest mistake. It was the error that would sign his death warrant.
Because Parker would do anything to save me. My Navy SEAL. My bodyguard. My husband would rain hell down on this man for even touching me.
And I was going to leave him the clues to do it.
Chapter Thirty-seven
Parker
DON’T GIVE UP ON ME
Performed by Andy Grammer
TEN YEARS AGO
HIM: You’re hurt. You’re hurt because I left.
HER: I’m hurt because Theresa smacked me with her gun. That has nothing to do with you.
HIM: I shouldn’t have left you, damnit.
PRESENT DAY
I jerked awake with the scentof fuel filling my lungs and the haze of smoke burning my eyes. The crash! Fallon!
I rolled to my knees and screamed her name.
I stumbled to my feet. Blood trickled down my forehead that I ignored. I scanned the runway, flipping back to the plane’s wreckage when I didn’t see her.
I jogged toward the Cessna on unsteady feet. How had she gotten me out? And where the fuck was she?
Sirens shrieked. Too far away yet. Too damn far.
Flames licked at the tail of the plane. The dry grass of the runway ignited.
I pulled myself up into the open doorway. “Fallon!” I shouted.
It was empty. She wasn’t inside.
Had she gone for help?
I spun around, eyes searching the runway and the buildings on the far side. A black sedan peeled away from the Harrington hangar.
Confusion settled like a fog over me for a second too long.
The blast on the plane. The crash.
It had all been planned. Carefully executed.
Goddamnit!