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wind and rain, and Luke could feel the tires gripping.
    “Come on, baby.” He pushed her harder, and the end of the beach was close, too close.
    “We’re not going to make it!” Sam shouted. “Stop and try again!”
    “Too late.” There was no going back now. Do-or-die time now. “Come on!” They were pushing hard, but the wheels were still entrenched in the sand. The raging river was less than thirty yards ahead.
    Twenty yards.
    Ten yards.
    “Fuck!” Luke gave the plane everything he had, and then he couldn’t see beach ahead of him. He could see only water—
    He braced himself for the lurch of the plane hitting the water, of the wheels getting sucked down—
    But there was no abrupt stop.
    Just sudden smoothness…relatively speaking.
    Hot damn. “We’re up.”
    The plane began to tug against him, and Luke knew the wheels were grazing the top of the river. One big wave and they were done. A gust of wind tossed the plane sideways, and Sam sucked in his breath. Luke swore as he felt his wing dip. If the tip caught water, the likelihood of recovery was minimal.
    He wrenched the plane back upright again, and then the plane relaxed slightly, and he knew the wheels were out of the water.
    Inches of clearance, but they were climbing now.
    They were clear.
    Sam made a gasping noise in his throat and let his head fall back against the seat. “You’re a crazy fucker for doing this for a living.”
    Luke grinned over at his old friend and former colleague. “Wouldn’t go back to my old life for anything, my friend.”
    And that was the truth, no matter what that choice had cost him.

C HAPTER T HREE
    Marcus looked at the jewelry box still clutched in Isabella’s hands, and his mouth tightened before he turned away.
    “Marcus!” She broke into a run, suddenly certain he wanted the gift but just didn’t know how to cope with it.
    “Isabella.” Zack caught her arm as she stepped onto the dance floor. “Dance with me, my dear.”
    She tried to pull away. “I have to talk to Marcus—”
    “He’s in a meeting.” Zack nodded toward Marcus, who was walking shoulder to shoulder with Simon.
    She groaned, knowing it would be a mistake to interrupt business. She would have to wait. Frustrated, she clutched the box. “I have to take this upstairs.”
    “I’ll hold it for you.” Zack plucked the box from her hand and slipped it inside his jacket pocket.
    “No.” She turned on him. “Please give that back to me. It’s very important.”
    Zack gave her a mischievous grin. “After you dance with me, my dear.”
    Fine. He was her date, after all. With a sigh, Isabella allowed him to pull her close and lead the dance. His hand slid down her lower back and she tensed, suddenly wishing she hadn’t agreed to Zack’s invite to the party.All she could think of was Daniel—how she’d trusted him and how it had ended. She’d thought she was getting the family she’d wanted, only to discover Daniel rooting through Marcus’s display of antiquities one evening. His love had been a lie, and she’d believed it.
    She’d been too desperate for security. She wouldn’t make the same mistake again. Daniel had helped her appreciate Marcus and his intense loyalty toward her, even if he couched it in terms of her being a professional asset. He never promised more than he gave her, and she appreciated that.
    She’d learned her lesson long ago about men who promised more than they were willing to give, and Daniel had been a big reminder. Marcus’s approach of promising nothing and delivering much suited her better, even if it was frustrating.
    Zack bent his head to brush his lips over her neck, and Isabella’s stomach roiled.
    “You look beautiful tonight, Isabella. I—”
    “I’m sorry, Zack.” She pulled back, out of his grasp. “I can’t do this.”
    He frowned. “Do what?”
    “Dance. I’m just…it’s too soon.”
    His brow furrowed, and then softened in understanding. “Ah, your old boyfriend. Ended