The floats hit the river ahead with a heavy slap. Ace throttled back and turned, positioning the plane across the narrowest part of the channel, blocking the bend. The plane rolled rapidly toward them.
May twisted, trying to pull away from Kyle’s grip.
He shoved her down with one hand and pointed the gun at her with the other. “Don’t,” he warned.
She went still.
The plane door swung open. Ace was out and moving before the floats had fully settled. He jumped from the float to the boat, landing on the stern.
Christian’s voice carried faintly from the cockpit, but May couldn’t make out the words.
Kyle turned and fired.
The shot cracked across the water.
Ace didn’t slow. He leaped forward and caught Kyle’s wrist mid-aim. The gun went off again, the shot blasting toward the plane. Christian ducked, before lifting back up, fury on his face.
Ace and Kyle crashed into each other in the cramped stern, metal rattling under their weight. May edged away, trying to get clear. Ace drove his shoulder into Kyle’s chest and slammed him into the side. The gun clattered against metal as Kyle kept his grip on the weapon.
Kyle jerked his arm free and swung. The punch landed against Ace’s jaw with a dull crack. Ace’s head snapped sideways. He drove his elbow into Kyle’s ribs and followed with a hard right that caught Kyle across the cheek.
The boat rocked violently, drifting closer to the plane’s float.
Kyle brought the gun up again. Ace grabbed his wrist with both hands and twisted. The gun fired once more. Ace chopped his hand down, and Kyle dropped the gun, which skidded across the wet floor.
May lunged for it.
Kyle kicked her in the shoulder, sending her slamming back against the side. Pain blasted down her arm.
Rage cascaded across Ace’s face. He drove his knee into Kyle’s midsection and followed with a headbutt that split Kyle’s lip open.
Kyle reeled backward and nearly fell overboard. Ace grabbed him by the front of his red shirt and slammed him down onto the aluminum floor. The boat tipped dangerously. He stumbled to his feet.
Ace caught Kyle with an uppercut that threw the senator into the side. Kyle’s eyes closed and he slumped down, partially landing on Jack’s body. Out cold.
Ace moved toward May, his eyes a blinding green in the rain. “You okay?”
She nodded, tears streaming down her face and mixing with river spray.
He gingerly unwrapped the bandage around her head before removing the one binding her wrists, digging his fingers into the wet mess.
“Ace,” she breathed.
He pulled her into him with one arm, crushing her against his chest for a single, fierce second. “You’re okay, Doc. I’ve got you.”
She shivered against him. He’d actually flown to save her. She snuggled in, wrapping both hands around his waist and feeling his solid form. “I know,” she whispered.
He kissed her. Hard. “I love you.”
She swallowed, the rain pounding around them, her heart full. “I love you.”
Ace Osprey had come for her.
Epilogue
The church smelled faintly of lemon oil and old hymnals.
Someone had polished the pews until the wood gleamed, and jars of wild iris and fireweed lined the narrow aisle in careful symmetry. Lottie’s blue ribbons tied around each jar added a touch of whimsy. The light through the tall windows turned everything soft and gold.
