Page 170 of Rush

I practically bolt to the bedroom, my heart thudding in my chest warning me.

Don’t fall.

Within the hour our group piles into the back of an SUV—Broderick and me, along with my emotional buffers: Ava and Luca. It’s a short ride before we pull up to a private helipad on the outskirts of the Strip.

The sleek helicopter waits for us, blades still, sunlight bouncing off its polished exterior.

It’s my first time in one. And honestly, I’m trying not to freak out.

“I’ve actually never seen the Grand Canyon before,” Ava muses, sliding her sunglasses into place as she clips herself in. She looks shockingly fresh, considering the amount of booze and cocaine she consumed last night.

“Neither have I,” Luca adds, settling beside her with his usual calm.

Broderick helps me climb in next. The only open seats are across from Ava and Luca. He steadies me as I step in, his hand on my lower back—a little too comforting.

I take my seat, and he moves beside me, slipping the headset over my ears, buckling me in. His hands brush my breasts as he checks the strap.

“Can’t go anywhere now,” he says, smirking.

The flutter in my chest spikes. I might throw myself off the roof just to escape howawareI am of him. His smell. His presence.

The weight of his hands—the weight of all ofthis.

He leans back and clips himself in with practiced ease.

“All ready to go,” he says to the pilot.

The doors shut with a heavy thud, sealing us in.

The pilot starts fiddling with the dials, the hum of the blades growing louder, and then?—

We lift off.

My stomach drops at the sudden, jerky ascent. It’snothinglike a plane. My hand shoots out instinctively, gripping Broderick’s thigh like it’s the only solid thing in the sky.

His hand covers mine instantly—warm and protective.

From the corner of my eye, I catch Ava lowering her sunglasses to stare at me over the rim. Her brow lifts. A smile twitches at the corner of her mouth.

Mortified, I pull my hand away like I’ve touched a live wire, folding it stiffly into my lap.

Broderick’s voice crackles through the headset. “You okay, El?”

“Yeah,” I lie. “Just nervous. Lots of firsts today.”

I force my eyes to the window. Below, the Vegas Strip shrinks away, glittering like a broken crown. Ahead of us, the endless desert stretches toward the horizon.

Once we arrive, the helicopter circles overhead, giving us uninterrupted views of the Grand Canyon in all its glory. The world stretches out in layers of rust, gold, and ochre, the horizon hazy in the early afternoon light.

I take a hundred photos—at least—and pick a few of the best to send to Riley and Philippa.

When we finally land, I step out onto solid ground, still buzzing from the ride.

“That was incredible,” I say, breathless, looking up at Broderick.

“So is that smile on your face, sweetheart.” His eyes are soft. “Glad I had something to do with it.”

“You did.” I nudge him gently. “Thank you.”