Page 57 of Mile High Ruin

“You are fortunate you are still conscious,” Vadim says. “Don’t make me reconsider.”

Nobody moves.

Then Vadim looks back at the copilot. “You will land the aircraft.”

The man nods. “Yes.”

“Can you do it safely without him?”

“I can. I’ve flown this aircraft for years.”

“Then do so.”

The copilot disappears back into the cockpit and shuts the door.

Marek slowly releases Vadim.

Anton keeps his attention on Hale.

Only then does Vadim turn toward me again. The fury leaves his face when he sees me. Not entirely, but enough that I notice.

He crosses the space between us. “Sloane.”

I force myself to look at him.

His eyes move over my face again, lingering on the side Hale struck. “Did he hurt you anywhere else?”

I shake my head. “No.”

The word barely comes out.

Vadim reaches toward my cheek, then stops before touching me.

That hesitation affects me more than it should.

“I’m okay,” I say. My voice sounds distant.

“You are shaking.”

“I’m cold.”

Even I can hear how ridiculous that is.

He watches me for another moment. Then, before I understand what he intends, he bends and slides one arm beneath my knees.

“What are you doing?”

His other arm comes around my back, and suddenly the floor is gone.

I grab his shoulders instinctively. “Vadim.”

He straightens with me in his arms as though I weigh almost nothing.

“Put me down.”

“No.”

“I can walk.”