“Yes. Of course.”
He searched for the most innocent place to grab her, but she was all curves. Zayne clasped her waist, nearly apologizing for how his hands dug into the deep dip of her body. Her breathing came in short, terrified spurts, and he realized she was too afraid to feel awkward.
Hopefully, she didn't panic and flail.
Braver than she looked, Kira took a large step toward the stairwell. The momentum helped him support her as he helped her to the railing.
“See, not so bad,” he whispered, releasing her.
Kira clung to the outside of the fire escape, both feet planted safely now, her entire body shaking. Or it was as bad as she expected.
After he worked his way to the landing of the fire escape, he turned back to help her over the railing, but she didn't move, eyes closed so tight it contorted her face. When he took her waist again to pick her up, her arms shot around his neck so tight her strength surprised him. He almost chuckled.
Once he settled her feet on the landing, she still clung to him. Zayne dropped his hands, offering her space while she calmed down.
“Sorry,” Kira inched back, wrapping her arms around herself. “I really, really don't like heights.”
He'd noticed. “You did well.” At least she didn't panic during the most dangerous part.
Zayne nodded for her to walk ahead of him while they climbed the stairs to the roof.
Above them, a couple of stars shone faintly in the dark sky, just far enough outside the city not to be drowned out. Zayne passed water to Kira. “Keep hydrated. We have a long way to go.”
“Thank you. I didn't mean to slow you down.”
He waved off her concern with a flick of his hand.
Reinard said a maintenance request on a broken window lock read unresolved. They traveled to the fire escape on the other side of the building and down to the floor they needed.
After helping Kira over the railing, he repeated the same process as before, bridging the gap between the staircase and ledge. A more frightening maneuver given the narrow space to stand.
When Zayne reached for her, she stared at the ground, looking faint.
“Eyes on me,” he said.
Her gaze lifted to his mask, the green of her eyes catching moonlight.
“You can do this.”
Breathing heavily, Kira moved over the steep drop, gasping for the fraction of a second that her feet touched nothing but air. Zayne had her. Would not let her go.
His chest and arms burned as he strained to plant her firmly against the window. She fit on the ledge well enough on her own. The two of them though? Not as easy.
When Zayne crossed over and swung his leg to her other side, his body plastered her against the glass.
Shit.
“Sorry,” he said with a grunt. He leaned back, straining with effort while the brick dug through his gloves from the pressure he applied to keep his balance.
Her voice sounded strained anyway. “Don't fall...”
Shuddering breaths pushed against his chest. They were melded together on that ledge, neither of them able to move. Clawing his fingers into the brick, he gritted his teeth and forced himself backward a few more inches.
Now the worst part.
Without alerting Kira, he unhooked her lead from him, just in case. Then he shifted his hands along the side of the windowsill, lowering himself into a squat.
Zayne sighed in relief when the window opened. Now he rose, able to slide his boot inside and let his legs dangle to give her space.
