Page 295 of Heart of Frost and Scars

She grips the armrests tightly, but she’s managing. Her chest rises and falls in measured breaths as she uses her techniques to keep the panic at bay.

Kody checks her seat belt for the hundredth time, his fingers moving over the buckle with teasing flicks.

“Dude.” Wolf sighs. “The belt is latched.”

“He’s trying to get into my pants.” Frankie smirks despite the tension in her shoulders.

“He needs to work on his technique.”

Kody buckles himself in, his eyes never leaving her.

She’s strong, and she’s holding on. We all are.

Wolf returns his gaze to the window, his gaze distant, lost in thoughts I can’t imagine.

I know Rhett transported him in planes, but Wolf was never conscious for it.

This is different.

He’s here. He’s awake, and it’s all hitting him at once. The freedom, the reunion with his family, the introduction to his father, and the fact that he’s truly escaping.

I remember that feeling.

I turn back to the controls.

This is it. We’re finally leaving this place behind.

The engines roar to life, and the plane vibrates beneath us, eager to take off, to soar.

“Hey, Wolf.” I twist in the seat and find his blue eyes staring back. “Have you heard the fairy tale about the lion, the bear, and the drag queen?”

“Uh…Maybe?” His lips twist.

“Well, it turns out that lions can fly. Bears make mighty fine vodka, and the Magic Kingdom will no longer be without its queen.”

Wolf huffs out a laugh, and I turn back to the controls.

The plane lurches. The wheels bump over the terrain. Then we’re off, lifting into the air, leaving the ground behind, leaving Hoss behind.

The sky opens up before us, vast and endless.

We’re moving forward, together, as a family.

69

Frankie

—

Four months later.

“Can’t stop looking at you.” Leo shifts us deeper into the velvet couch and tucks me tightly against his side. “You’re fucking stunning, love.”

I adore the way he looks at me.

It goes beyond mere attraction. He sees the anxiety, the scars, the bouts of madness and darkness, and instead of turning away, he embraces me with a stare so loving and deep it makes me feel cherished.

And claimed.

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