Page 33 of Crown of Death
And just outside the hangar, out in the brilliant light, is a shiny, jet-blackhelicopter.
“You must beCyrus.”
A man steps out from the office. He sports a thick, but well-manicured gray beard. He wears a black leather jacket, despite the heat, and worn out but well-fitted jeans. “I’mVince.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” Cyrus says, accepting the man’s outstretchedhand.
“I guess I spoke to your assistant on the phone,” he says, stuffing his hands in his pockets, standing there so casually, just chatting. If only he knew. “Sounds like your crew came from far out oftown.”
Cyrus offers a little, thin-lipped smile. “Far,indeed.”
“Well, I’m honored you chose Vince Air for your romantic afternoon,” he says, his smile indicating that he’s catching on that he’s perhaps being a little comfortable and casual for a man like Cyrus. “If you’ll follow me, we’ll getgoing.”
He turns and Cyrusfollows.
“Wait,” I scramble. “You said…you said I’d have time. Where are you takingme?”
Cyrus stops abruptly, looking back. And a shiver washes over me. Even though I can’t see his eyes, I feel their intensity. Like he is the ultimate predator. And a thrill washes through me, knowing I could neverrun.
“I keep my promises, Logan,” he breathes. He takes three steps back to me. He reaches out and takes my right hand in his. “I’ve simply never visited this region. I thought we could enjoy a better view, from the sky.Together.”
Shivers.
Allover.
Which I hate. But they happen,anyway.
With a little nod, I allow him to pull me forward, and I follow afterhim.
We climb inside and Vince gets us situated with earpieces and microphones. He shows us how to switch them to a channel so just the two of us can talk without being overheard by himself. And then we strap in, Cyrus and I, side byside.
I look out, and see Mina and Fredrick watching from the shadowed overhang of thehangar.
“Have you ever ridden in a helicopter before?” Cyrus’ voice cuts through my headpiece, his voice sounding mechanical andscratchy.
I shake my head, heavy and cumbersome with the headpiece. “Our family traveled a little bit. My parents liked to vacation. So we’ve flown a lot. But never in ahelicopter.”
“You’re in for a pleasant experience, then,” he says, smiling as the blades above us beginspinning.
And just moments later, we lift into theair.
The pilot gently steers and expertly glides through the air, directing us toward thecity.
“You said you’ve never been to this area,” I say, my voice sounding staticky through the headset. “Because this is fairly far from any of theHouses?”
Cyrus glances over at me. Henods.
“My area is ruled by the House in Las Vegas?” I ask. My gut twists. I’m asking questions. Using his words. Using those words of his world. Like I can accept it all. Like I can believe it all is real. “By the…House ofValdez?”
“That’s correct,” he says. He looks out, his shaded gaze sweeping over the suburbs as we head in the direction of thecity.
“And what about you?” I say. “You belong to a House inAustria?”
A little smile curls on his lips but he doesn’t look at me. “Notexactly.”
Cryptic.Ugh.
“You’re someone important,” I say, looking down, trying not to think about how much air is between my rear end and that cluster of houses below me. “You aren’t being very direct about who you are, but the way Mina and Fredrick look at you? The money? The air around you? You’reimportant.”