Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
They pulled into the private airport. The jet wasn’t more than a small cargo jet. The exterior was a light gray with a yellow-and-red stripe while the inside was a big empty hull. Shadow drove his bike straight inside, followed by Venus. Both shut their machines off, then proceed to lash them down.
“We depart in ten minutes,” a big man yelled from the front. “You’re both under orders not to get killed.”
“Yeah?” Shadow said. “That’s one order we both intend on followin’.”
Venus said nothing, just secured her bike, then went to the black crates that were already loaded. “Looks like Cain armed you well.”
Shadow grinned at Venus. “I told you he’d come through for us.”
Millie watched the interaction, hoping they’d leave her be for a while. Her face still stung where her sister had slapped her. There might have been a couple of small scratches where those wicked nails of hers had dug into Millie’s cheek.
“There should be any weapon we need, and some computer equipment, though, I’ll admit, I’m not the best at that kinda shit. We’ll have to find little Katya the old-fashioned way.”
“Nyet,” Venus said, looking straight at Millie. “That’s why I insisted on finding her.”
Shadow glanced at her, then back to Venus. “How’s she helpin’?”
“She knows layout and, apparently, something regarding how they keep track of Katya.”
Shadow raised an eyebrow at her. “Well? You gonna spill it?”
“It’s complicated,” Millie said with a shrug.
“Well, we got about twelve hours. Surely in that time you can help us pussies understand whatever it is we need to know.” There was a look of amusement on Shadow’s face, but she got the feeling it was as much a reprimand as anything else.
“Everyone in their seats,” a voice from the overhead speaker commanded. “We’re taking off.”
Shadow grabbed Millie’s arm and dragged her to some seats lining the front bulkhead facing the back of the plane. “Fasten your seat belt,” he commanded as he sat and did the same. Venus sat on the other side of him and fastened her own seat belt.
Millie was a fighter. A killer. She’d routinely stared death in the face and smiled. But she was fucking terrified of flying. Gripping the edges of the seat as the plane started to move, Millie closed her eyes tight, sweat starting to bead her upper lip and forehead and drip into her eyes. They must be taxiing down the runway to get in position to take off. Her breath came in shallow gasps. Then the plane turned before stopping. The engines began a steady acceleration, whining as the pilot prepared for takeoff.
She must have let out a whimper because Shadow patted her arm. “Don’t worry. Deke can fly anything with wings.” He grinned. “Ain’t bad with the landin’ either.” He had a soft, Southern drawl that Millie was sure could melt panties all over Florida. Hell, she’d drop hers if she weren’t in the beginnings of a panic attack.
“Blyad,” she swore softly. “Eto pizdets.”
“Ain’t nothin fucked up about it, sugar. Just a plane.”
“She doesn’t like flying,” Venus supplied, looking rather bored. She smirked at Millie. “Now who’s pussy?” Yeah. Millie deserved that.
“Suka.”
Venus just snorted before turning away. She didn’t like flying any more than Millie did. Their mad dash out of Belarus four years earlier had seen to that.
“What did you mean when you said Victor would keep tabs on Katya?” Shadow spoke, but Millie barely registered his words. “Millie? Come on, honey. You gotta breathe.”
“Blyad… Blyad!” She chanted the word over and over. Sweat dripped steadily down her face, and she shivered uncontrollably. A quick glance at her sister told her she wasn’t in much better shape, but Venus held herself together much better than Millie. Still, her jaw was clenched and her eyes tightly closed.
“You gals got some serious issues with flying, huh?” Shadow muttered. “Here, Millie. Hold my hand.” He pried the fingers of her right hand loose and took it in his big one. He laced their fingers together, and Millie clung to him. “Easy, sugar,” he said, wincing a little. She tried to look at him, but her vision wouldn’t focus. Besides, moving her head meant chancing a glance out one of the few windows where everything was starting to whizz by. The plane was taking off, streaking down the runway at a million miles an hour, plastering her against her shoulder harness since the seats faced the rear of the plane. It took all Millie had to bite her lip and keep from crying out. Or worse, being sick. When she didn’t let up on his hand -- she honestly couldn’t -- Shadow said nothing, just held her clenched hand in his bigger one.
It was several minutes before the machine leveled out and the ride became smoother. The immediate terror passed. Millie still gasped for breath. Shadow undid his harness, then knelt in front of her. “Look at me, sugar,” he said. That soft, deep voice commanded her attention. “Come on. Eyes up.”