Setting Him Free Read Free

he had into one final stretch
and managed to lock a hand around her wrist and pull her up towards
him.
    "Can you hear me?" he shouted above the noise of the
now-screaming engines. The plane banked again. He pulled her hard
against him, knowing that if he let go she'd be seriously injured.
Her hands closed around his arms, her nails dug into his flesh and
he heard her sharp intake of breath. Saw the terror in her eyes,
only inches away from his, desperately seeking reassurance.
    How could he tell her he didn't have it in him to
feel the same fear? That this impending disaster was most-likely
for his benefit and he didn't care if the plane crashed and they
all died? It banked steeply again and he wasn't sure whether the
pain of her grip on his arms, or her tears, falling freely now,
were what made him realise that was no longer true. Their survival
was already linked. He had to save her life, and in doing so she
might just save his.
    For the first time in two years Taylor wanted to
live, instead of die. Bloody ironic. Regaining the will to
live moments before the plane he was in fell out of the sky and
killed them all? Probably the funniest thing that had happened to
him in years. The laughter was totally inappropriate, but once
started, he couldn't stop. The woman raised startled eyes to his
while he lowered his forehead to her arm and fought for
control.
    Hell, this was turning into one heck of a day.
     
    * * * *
     
    Laughter? What kind of idiot is he? Danielle
gripped the man's arms. Screams and frantic prayers competed with
engine noises, while the plane continued to lurch from side to
side. It levelled again. Her head slammed into his chest and strong
fingers clasped the back of her neck, holding her steady. He
stopped laughing, abruptly as if suddenly aware of the effect it
was having on her.
    His solid warmth was a lifeline to which she clung
with everything she had. Grabbing a handful of his tee-shirt, she
pressed her face against the damp cloth and breathed in the mixture
of smoke and sweat. The hammering of his heart told her he wasn't
nearly as calm as he appeared. She lifted her head, desperate for
him to say he would save her from this, already knowing he
couldn't.
    "What's your name?"
    She stared at him, noticing for the first time that
he needed a shave.
    "Your name, sweetheart. What is it?"
    Her mouth opened twice before any sound came out.
"Danielle. Danielle Radley."
    "I'm Taylor. Now be a good girl and get back in your
seat. And do your seat belt up." He spoke slowly and deliberately.
"Can you do that for me, Danielle?"
    "I. I can't." Her grip tightened. "Don't let go of
me."
    His expression softened, and for a brief moment his
eyes showed the pain she'd seen earlier. "You've got to, Danielle.
Come on, you're stronger than this. Go now, we may not have much
time."
    "What do you mean?" Danielle tightened the grip on
his tee-shirt, pulling herself so close she smelled the whisky on
his breath. Then she was being pushed away to land hard against her
seat. Falling into it, she fumbled with the belt. Glanced back at
him. Saw his approving smile.
    He has a nice smile . Should smile more
often.
    His companion yelled again. The plane continued to
lurch and bank. No sign of his double. The attendant was on her
knees in the aisle, grimly trying to pull herself into a seat. One
moment the blue of the sky filled the window, the next the green of
the tropical rainforest below growing larger and larger with every
passing second.
    Was the pilot trying to land in the forest? They were
almost down now, the force of the descent jamming her into the
seat, the tops of the trees clearly visible.
    A loud bang shook the plane and Danielle covered her
ears to shut out the sound of everyone screaming at once. For a
split second the plane hovered silently in mid-air.
    Then the nose tipped and it dropped.
    "Get your head down, Danielle." Taylor bent forward,
an arm above his head.
    She copied him, arms bracing her head, with no