Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 78576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
Prologue
Jesse
Emerald Phoenix brings all their own equipment on tour. As the opening act, we didn’t have that luxury. We’ve been renting equipment at each venue. Jake did bring his guitar. But Cage and Dragon—the first night—both said that the keyboard and drums we rented in the UK were better than the instruments we have at home.
I suppose I have to get used to traveling without my guitar. Feels weird being just a vocalist, but Rory and I singing together was what made Emerald Phoenix first take notice of us, so that’s the way we will do it from now on.
Brock, Rory, David, and Maddie climb into the limo, and then Brianna and I do.
Of course, Cage and Jake are nowhere to be found. Jeez. They clamber out of the venue, both looking a little haggard.
“Hey, you guys—” Then I stop.
They’re here. No reason to give them shit for almost being late.
“What?” Jake darts me a gaze.
“Nothing. So, are you ready to rock Paris?”
“You know it,” Jake says. Then he nudges me. “What’s with David and Maddie?”
“I’m trying not to think about it,” I say back.
We reach the airport, get through security, and head to the gate where the plane is ready.
The plane Emerald Phoenix chartered isn’t overly luxurious. But the seating is all wider than a normal plane, and there’s only one pilot, one copilot, and one flight attendant.
It’s just the band and our guests and significant others.
We get herded on, take our seats, and the flight attendant does her safety spiel. She distributes champagne to anyone who wants it, but Brianna and I just take water.
Ten minutes later, we’re taking off.
Once we’re airborne, Brianna turns to me and smiles. “I love you, Jesse. I’m so happy to be here with you.”
“On such a late flight?” I squeeze her hand.
“On a chartered flight with the man I love. And Emerald Phoenix.”
“I love you too.”
The air is turbulent, and the plane bounces through the sky. I’m not a frequent flyer, so my knuckles go white around Brianna’s hand.
“Easy,” she says. “This is normal.”
“You don’t fly a lot either.”
“Not a lot, but I’ve been on turbulent flights. Going over the Rockies is often like this.”
I draw in a breath and let it out slowly. She’s no doubt right, but I look across from me to where Brock and Rory are sitting. Rory looks a little green.
“You okay, sis?”
She doesn’t reply. Simply nods, her hand clamped onto Brock’s.
The air smooths out after a moment, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
“See?” Brianna says. “Everything’s cool. We’re flying over the English Channel, which are some of the roughest waters in the world. The air pressure is probably a mess.”
I have no idea if she knows what she’s talking about or whether she’s making it up as she goes, but her words soothe me. Slightly.
I take the last drink of my water and look for the flight attendant to ask for another. Where is she? Then I see her up front, buckled into her jump seat.
Okay… Not a great sign.
But the air is smooth, until—
My heart drops to my stomach when the plane falls. Or seems to. It’s like that feeling when you’re on a roller coaster going straight down.
The turbulence begins again, and—
Brianna lets out a frantic scream as the plane rocks and sways.
I’m trapped. My seat belt restrains me. It’s tight. So tight.
A drop.
The roller coaster again.
A shrill sound pierces my ears, and the yellow oxygen masks descend.
Brianna is shaking and screaming. I grab the mask, get it on her as quickly as I can.
Then I panic.
The plane drops, and the overhead luggage compartments fly open. Suitcases drop, one barely missing my head.
Time is fucked up.
Seconds fly by, but I see in slow motion. A haze of debris flying around the cabin, clothes tumbling from carry-ons. Vomit from mouths. Screams. Sobs. Shrieks.
I turn to the woman I love, raise my voice above the commotion. “Don’t be scared, Brianna. Wherever we’re going, we’ll be together.”
Then I put on my oxygen mask, grab her, and close my eyes.
Chapter One
Brianna
I brace myself, gripping Jesse with everything in me.
Don’t want to die.
Don’t want to die.
Don’t want to die.
Please, God.
Please…
Why didn’t we just take the train underneath the English Channel? We had to fly this little puddle-jumper to Paris because God forbid the Steels not travel in style.
Except it was Emerald Phoenix who chartered the plane…
And now, it’s all over. We’re going to crash somewhere in the English Channel, our bodies irretrievable. Our families won’t even be allowed to properly grieve us. Our grave markers will stand over empty soil.