Page 12 of Heart of Frost and Scars

We fall into silence until the speakers overhead crackle with static.

Leo’s voice fills the cabin.

“Ladies and feral men, welcome to cruising altitude. If anyone’s thinking of joining the Mile High Club—I’m looking at you, Frankie—give me the signal.” He laughs. “The pilot doesn’t like that. You should see his face right now.”

Rustling and scraping sounds over the intercom.

“I hope they’re not fighting.” Her complexion pales.

“Just a reminder,” Monty cuts in. “My plane, my rules. This is a family flight. Keep it PG.”

She snorts.

I glance back at the divan, and my thoughts plunge into darkness. “Have you and Monty…?”

She goes still, her lips pressed in a line.

Of course, he’s fucked her on his plane. And on every surface of the estate we’re about to share with him.

A hot ember burns in my stomach.

“Kody…” She grips my arm.

“It’s smooth sailing from here,” Monty continues. “If you feel a bump, it’s just me teaching my co-pilot a lesson.”

“Try me, old man.” Leo’s voice comes at a distance, barely audible over the intercom before it clicks off.

“Well then.” Frankie sinks back into her seat with a sigh. “We’re off to a roaring start.”

4

Kodiak

—

I shift restlessly, feeling stiff and out of place in these new clothes. They’re sharp, clean, and nothing like the rough and ready gear I’ve always worn.

Every so often, I look down at myself, startled to see the perfectly sewn seams and unstained leather that feels so strange against my skin.

“How’s the leg holding up?” Frankie’s gaze drifts to my knee, her nurse’s instincts overtaking her anxieties.

I can tell she’s compartmentalizing her fear to focus on me, something she’s always been good at.

The friction burn I got during the crash throbs persistently. It’s been three days, and the skin still feels tight and hot, the damaged layers sensitive to movement and touch.

If I adjust my position too quickly or the fabric of these new jeans rubs against it the wrong way, a sharp sting pulses through the area.

The pain isn’t just physical. It’s a nagging echo in my muscles, reminding me of every jolt of that crash.

Thankfully, the surface scratches that Leo and I received on our faces have already healed.

“It’s manageable.” I don’t want her worrying about me more than she already is with everything else going on.

“Make sure to keep it clean and watch for any signs of infection.”

It’s not just the injury and the new clothes making me uneasy. My eyes flicker to the window, drawn to the unfamiliar world speeding by. It’s all so different from the open, wild landscape where I spent my life. The change isn’t just around me. It’s on me, and it’s a lot to take in.

I lean back, my gaze grabbing hers again, making sure she feels every bit of my presence.

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