Page 61 of Burning Hearts

Jade took over, doing one of the steps with steady hands. “Don’t be a hero.”

Logan looked at her. “Get everyone to safety.”

She pressed her lips together.

Vince called out, “Hey, Jade, I’ll just go down by myself, all right?”

“We’re both going down. We’re supposed to pair off. What is your problem?” Cadee said.

Jade went over and got in their faces. Whatever she said, Cadee and Vince were being paired up and neither was arguing anymore.

Saxon called back, “Now! Go now!”

Cadee was first out the door, followed by Vince.

Tori went, and Orion came right behind her.

Hammer had tied Tristan to him, using webbing around their waists like a climbing harness. Then he called out to the front of the plane, speaking a language Logan had never heard before.

Saxon replied in the same language.

Grief washed over Hammer’s face, but he got the chute on. Clipped in. Checked Tristan, still unconscious, his head against Hammer’s shoulder. He jumped out of the plane.

Logan nodded to Skye and Jade. “Go.”

They jumped together.

He turned and pulled Jamie into the aisle. “Listen to me.”

“I don’t know how to do this.”

“You don’t need to. The chute will do the work. All you do is hang on.” Plus a little steering. “Nothing to pull. Bend your knees when you hit the ground.”

Jamie gasped.

“Do you trust me?”

She nodded.

He kissed her, not nearly as long as he wanted to. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Logan!”

He turned to Saxon, who held out a gun. “Take this.”

Logan wasn’t a guy who appreciated guns, but after this, he might go take a class or something. Get more comfortable with being able to protect himself.

And the woman he loved.

“Thanks.” He slipped it into his pocket, then went over and walked Jamie to the door. The ground rushed by under them closer than he’d have liked, but they could do this. “‘The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid.’” She was here, with him. She loved him. “‘Do not be discouraged.’”

I’m not anymore. Thank You for that, even if this goes horribly wrong. You’re still God over all of it.

One final check, and Logan pushed her out of the plane.

Jamie screamed.

He gave it a couple of seconds, his stomach clenched. Her chute flapped open, caught in the wind, and she slowed.

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