Like what? Like my heart is breaking?
I close my fingers to keep the ring from sliding off. “I’ll hold you to that.”
He kisses me one last time, and I pretend I believe him, at least until he disappears from sight.
Deep down I’m sure I’ll never see him again, and it feels like my heart is dying.
“What happened to the harness?”
“I’m glad you’re mobile,” I say. “I was worried about you.”
“I can do my part,” Dina adds. “I’m not helpless.”
“Lucky break. I found us a new pilot.” I don’t pose it as a question.
We
need
her, so it’s not open to discussion.
Everyone turns to gape at me, but Dina recovers first. “What about March?”
“You can take us up?” the merc asks her. “What rigs have you flown?”
“Let’s go,” she says tersely. “We’ve wasted enough time here.”
I nod. “Noted. Let’s get Dina through first.”
She bitches, “What am I, bait?”
I’m amused when she flashes me a grin. “I wasn’t bragging, y’know.”
I’m Sirantha Jax, and I have had enough.
If I can, the Teras can.
I try to strangle the thought, but it takes root like a poisonous vine.
“Thanks,” Dina mutters. “You know when I get off this thing, I’m gonna repay you for that.”
“I don’t want them on our backtrail,” he says briefly.