~Chapter 1~
Dashiell Montclair
“Hey, Dad, glad you could make it.” Squinting in the bright sun, I shake hands with my old man, slap him on the back, and walk him to the helipad. “How’re things across the pond?”
“Nothing worth mentioning.” Up to no good, one side of his mouth crooks up.
Bloody hell. I wonder what priceless bauble he’s stolen this time.Overhead and to the north, the double-arches of the century-old Brooklyn Bridge stand tall against the cloudless sky. Its shadow traces the edge of the pier by my feet where the East River laps the black wood. Manhattan’s skyline at my back, I stretch, stare out at the harbor, and try to tamp down my nervous energy.
The pilot who’s haunted my dreams for months is late. Did she change her mind? I pull out my iPhone and check my messages but there’s none from her.
My father scratches his short beard, sticks both hands in his jacket pockets, and glances at the parking lot. “Where’s Mac?”
“I gave him the day off.” Visualizing his leggy replacement, I smile and point out the tall brunette jogging across the pavement. “She’s taking his place.”
“That so?” Thick, gray brows arch above his piercing blue eyes before he turns toward the out-of-breath, gorgeous woman coming to a halt in front of us.
The early morning sun reflects in her eyes, making the brown flecks shine like gold. “Sorry I’m late. I’ve been inside filing paperwork.”
Blood drains from my big brain to the lower one, swelling behind my fly. Hoping she’ll ignore my bulging attraction, I take her outstretched hand and give it a firm shake. The odd combination of soft skin and strong grip makes her even more intriguing.
Her fingers linger and her gaze sinks below my navel. Her pink lips form a perfectly round ‘O’, reminding me of dark bedrooms and porn movies.
Shit. Using super-human powers, I let go her hand, swivel to my overly observant old man, and don a polite mask. “Dad, meet Lanita Manuel. Landy, this is my father, Alistair Montclair.”
“She yours?” Keeping her back to me, she points out my beloved MD600, sitting on the tarmac.
My old man chuckles. “Unfortunately, Dashiell saw it first, otherwise I would’ve snatched her up in a heartbeat.”
Gaze off my new baby, he crosses his arms at my substitute pilot. “Young lady, have you ever flown a McDonald Douglass before?”
Most would consider his question rude, but she ignores him, hops in the front seat, and grabs Mac’s checklist.
“They’re a two-wheeler with training wheels compared to the heavily loaded Viper I’m used to. Unless you’re expecting heavy artillery, we’ll be fine. Buckle up. I’ll only be a moment more.” Lights blink on and off as she continues checking the helicopter’s controls.
Meanwhile, Dad and I climb in the back.
After slipping on her helmet, Landy turns her head, and inspects every inch of the interior. Mac relies on our maintenance crew, but being new, I don’t blame her for being thorough.
When the blades spin, I slip my headset over my ears and my father points to a private frequency. “Where’re we off to?”
I wish we’d had time to discuss the case, but he’s been overseas since my staff spotted the online reward. “A body washed up near Little Egg Harbor and the widow wants answers.”
“If you’re interested, the bounty must be substantial.” He reaches under the seat in front of him, unzips a soft cooler, and twists open a water bottle.
Not wanting him to choke, I wait until he swallows before answering. “She’s offering a million dollars for information leading to the arrest of her husband’s murderer.”And a perfect opportunity to get reacquainted with a certain pilot who got under my skin.
Smiling, he shakes his head. “Helluva job, bounty hunting.”
“Says the professional jewel thief.”
“Son, my occupation is as ancient, honored, and noble as yours is-”
“None of your concern.” Unwilling to discuss this again, I close my eyes, touch my harness, the door handle, and surrounding obstacles. Not until I have everything memorized, do I open my eyes again.
“I thought your survival course was supposed to fix your fear of flying.” My dad could’ve worked for Scotland Yard. Instead, he uses his insane powers of observation to drive his only son bloody bonkers.
My lie causes me no remorse. “I’m not afraid. I’m simply aware of all the damn things that can go wrong.”
