The pilot tossed him a glance. “Two. Both tourists.”
Exhaling, I closed my eyes. Fuck. My father’s influence was costing lives. I was furious.
I’d had no idea just how lucky I’d been. If Axe hadn’t come along I’d be dead. With a moment of silence, I allowed myself to think about what Axe had told me. I’d heard more through the grapevine than anything that my father was buddies with three of the men on the city council. If I had to guess, I’d say he corrupted the minds of the council members based solely on his hatred of the Beckett family.
Maybe additional firefighters could have prevented Will from dying. I certainly didn’t want to drive that plot point into Axe’s mind. I had no doubt what he’d do with it.
Another drop and I dry heaved.
A few seconds later, I realized I’d allowed a moan, this time not from fear.
“Just sit back, Kenz. We’ll be landing in about two minutes,” Axe told me.
“Sorry the ride is a little bumpy,” the pilot offered, as if that would do any good.
“It’s okay.” My voice was as weak as the rest of me.
I tried to follow his advice, sitting back in my seat and pressing my other hand on top of the first. This was… The worst thing in the world to go through. Okay, the second worst after the day before, but with the nausea and the way my vision had been affected, I was ready to pass out.
With my eyes closed, I felt a little better until I suddenly had a free-falling moment. I let out a shrill scream, my eyes flying open and my hand with a death grip on Axe’s shoulder.
The pilot turned the helicopter around and landed with a soft thud, but the jarring effect was enough I let out a series of moans.
“You’re okay. You’re fine. We’re on the ground.” While I suspected Axe’s words were meant to be comforting, I just didn’t care.
I even tried to get out of the door while the blades were still going and Axe had to stop me. “Don’t. I need to get off this thing.”
“Okay. Just breathe for me. Okay?” Axe was grinning while I was ready to hurl all over him.
“Don’t you do that to me. Don’t you dare.”
Still with the shit-eating grin on his face, he jumped out, holding out his hands for me to grasp. Call me hardheaded or just unwilling to ask for help, but I jumped instead. Unsteady on my feet, I fell right into him.
From somewhere behind us, I was certain I heard one of the men in the group who were outside cheering.
“Are you okay?” Axe asked while offering the person a middle finger salute.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just a little shaky.” I could tell all eyes were on us and what a sight I must be since I’d only had time to slide into another pair of sweatpants before the helicopter had arrived.
“You look kinda cute in my shoes.”
Looking down, I picked up one of my feet, the shoe almost dropping off even though the laces were double knotted. “I’ll get your things back to you.”
“Nah. Don’t worry about that. They look better on you,” he said, then took a deep breath. “Um, I… I know there’s a lot to say, but?—”
“Get your ass in gear, Axe. We’re leaving in five minutes.” While the guy was still a few feet away, I could hear his voice loud and clear. Plus, he was shaking his head as he studied us standing together.
I glanced at the group, thankful I didn’t recognize anyone.
Then I noticed my brother was leaning against the hood of a truck less than fifty yards away. Even from that distance, I could tell he wasn’t happy. To see me or to see that I was standing with the man once considered his best friend?
Why did I have a feeling I wasn’t the only one hiding from the past?
Axe followed my gaze toward Wade, taking a deep breath. “Your brother is here.”
“So he is.”
The heat from his body was as oppressive as before, both our bodies humming with continued electricity.
