Broken Wings (Dark Legacy #1)(39)

My stomach screamed at me when I straightened, as did my broken arm, and the side of my head. “I think I’m okay,” I whispered, testing out my limbs. “Just bruised.”

Beck touched a finger to the side of my face, pulling it away to show me the fresh red of my blood. “Dylan will have to patch you up as well,” he said abruptly. His face cold again. “Come on.”

He turned and started to push his way through the door of the cockpit. I followed slowly, still working out my aching body. On the other side it was a mess: chairs had been ripped out on impact as the cabin was torn up, and there was shit everywhere. I understood why Jasper had been injured; his chair was basically ripped in half, that side having taken most of the impact.

Beck was standing over his friends … his brothers.

“How bad is it?” I heard him ask Dylan.

He got a grim stare. “He has broken ribs, a large gash on his thigh, and any number of internal injuries I can’t assess with the equipment I have.”

Jasper let out a weak laugh, and I choked in some air at the relief he was at least conscious. “I’m fine, assholes. You know nothing gets me down. Besides, Dylan has stitched my thigh, taped my ribs, and acted like a pretentious dick. He’s practically a doctor.”

He coughed, and it sounded raspier than I would have liked.

Hobbling forward, I peered around Beck, and met Jasper’s stare. “Spare, you made it,” he said, sounding almost cheerful. “I was afraid you’d die on us. Then what would Deboise do … they’d be fresh out of heirs.”

I wanted to kick him in the balls, but the dude already looked like he’s been kicked by a bull, so I settled for smiling sweetly. “Maybe it’ll be Eddy joining me in the old-white-man club instead, you know, if you don’t make it.”

Dylan’s lips twitched, and he looked up from where he was fussing with Jasper’s leg. Our gazes met, and some of my ire died off at the worry I saw there. Shivering, I rubbed at my arms, wondering why it was so freezing in here. Evan popped his head in from somewhere near the back of the plane then, snow coating his hair. Where the hell had we landed?

Evan hurried along to us, his walk an uneven gate like he’d been hurt in the crash as well, but was managing. “The forest is huge,” he said, talking to his friends. “I went pretty far and didn’t see any signs of civilized life. Anyone work out where we are?”

“Canada,” Dylan and Beck said at the same time.

“It’s the only trajectory that makes sense,” Dylan continued. “The pilot deliberately took us off course. This crash … and location was planned.”

Beck swore, and when he spun around and I saw his face for the first time, I shrank back. Holy scary motherfucker. I waited for him to bowl me over as he set off in my direction again, but he didn’t. His hands were firm as he lifted me out of the way before he strode past and disappeared back into the cockpit. He emerged a few minutes later with two guns clutched in his hands.

I gulped. “Uh, what do you need those for?”

“This was a setup, and they’re going to make sure they finish the job.”

“Who? Who is going to make sure they finish the job? What job?”

I looked frantically between the four of them, trying to calm my breathing, but with each of their expressions growing grimmer, my panic only increased. “Riley,” Dylan barked, clearly seeing hysterical when it was about to happen. “You need to pull yourself together. We’re not the spoiled rich boys they seem to be expecting. We’re not going to let you get hurt, and we will kill every single person who comes after us.”

“That’s a promise,” Beck added, checking both guns and sliding them into the waistband of his jeans.

For some reason, their calm confidence helped me calm down as well, and I decided that I wouldn’t be a liability to them. Well, not too much of one. Starting at the front of the cabin, I searched through each of the drawers and overhead compartments I could find, gathering together anything I thought was important. I ended up with three fluffy blankets, two medical kits, a few snacks and bottles of water, and a shit-ton of cash. The cash was probably useless, but maybe we could bribe someone in the forest to help us.

There were two duffle bags which held guys’ clothing. Dumping the contents, I found a couple of thick jackets, and a few more snacks, and even more cash. “Riley, we’re moving out now,” Dylan said from where they were still crouched around Jasper. “We can’t stay here … they’ll be coming for us, and we’re not in a good spot to defend ourselves.”

With a nod, I slung both bags over my shoulder and hurried back to them.

“I gathered some supplies,” I said softly, my gaze going straight to a very pale Jasper. He didn’t look good.

“Any painkillers?” he half joked.

Holding a finger up, I dropped one of the bags and riffled through it. “You’re in luck,” I said, pulling out a small bottle, plus the packet Beck had given me earlier.

Dylan smiled at me, and I was pretty sure that was the first time I’d seen a true smile from him. “Thanks, Riley,” he said softly, taking the bottle from me.

He gave Jasper three of the small white pills and some water.

“Put the jacket on,” Evan said, noticing a thick black hood sticking out of the bag. “That’s mine. I’ll be fine.”