A chorus of “Yes, ma’am” answers me, though I notice Ash’s smirk deepens at the word ma’am.
I step closer, taking my aviators off and letting my gaze land on each of them. “We’re running drills until I say otherwise. I want precision, discipline, and no excuses. If you can’t keep up, you’re out. Simple as that.”
Ash’s grin widens, and I can feel his eyes on me even as I turn to walk away. Let him smirk. Let him think he can charm his way through this. By the end of the day, he’ll learn exactly who he is dealing with.
Sliding into the front seat of my jet, I strap in, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline as the engines roar to life.
Time to remind these flyboys why I am the one running this show.
Ican’t take my eyes off her. Amelia Maddox moves with a precision and confidence that is impossible to ignore. Watching her strap into the jet is like watching art in motion—every movement is deliberate, and every line of her body speaks volumes about how much she belongs in that cockpit.
The sun gleams off her flight jacket as she adjusts her harness, her face hidden behind those aviators. But I can still imagine the sharp determination etched into her features.
“Carr.”
Knox’s voice jolts me back to reality. He is standing beside me, arms crossed, with a look that immediately sets me on edge.
“What?” I ask, frowning at him.
“You might wanna close your mouth before you drown yourself in drool,” he says, clapping me on the shoulder.
I roll my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest as I turn toward him. “Hilarious.”
“Hey, I’m just saying—if this whole pilot thing doesn’t work out, you’ve got a solid fallback career as a professional puppy dog.”
I shoot him a glare, but he only laughs, shaking his head as he steps past me. “Come on, rookie. Time to focus on flying instead of gawking. Get your ass to your aircraft.”
With a muttered curse, I push off the jet I’ve been leaning on and head toward my plane. But as I walk, I can’t help but glance back over my shoulder at her.
Commander Maddox.
Amelia.
She doesn’t even look my way, consumed in her pre-flight checks, but damn if she doesn’t have me twisted in knots.
Climbing into my cockpit, I strap in and adjust my helmet. Time to put my focus where it needs to be—on the drills, on the team, and on proving myself.
As the engines roar to life and the radios crackle in my ear, I can’t shake the image of her—cool, composed, and completely out of reach.
At least for now.
The comms crackle, and I adjust my gloves and run through the last of my checks. Amelia’s voice comes through, steady and sharp, with the authority that makes you sit up straighter.
“All right, team,” she begins, her tone leaving no room for argument. “We’re starting with tight diamond formation passes. I’ll take the lead. Knox, you’re slot two. Nathan and Cole, positions three and four. Carr and River, you’ll rotate into the wing positions on my call. Stay sharp and keep it tight. Follow my lead, and we’ll work through some advanced maneuvers after the third pass.”
I smirk, leaning back in my seat as her instructions echo in my headset. She is cool, professional, and every inch the commander, but there is an edge to her voice that makes me wonder if she is picturing my cocky grin right now.
“Copy that, Commander,” I say, my tone smooth as silk. “You’ve got my full attention. Ready and waiting for your orders.”
There is a pause—just a split second—but I can hear the faintest exhale before she comes back on the line.
“Good to know, Carr. Let’s see if you can keep up.”
The grin on my face stretches wider as I adjust my throttle and double-check my positioning. She is throwing down a challenge, and damn if I’m not ready to rise to it.
Knox’s voice cuts in next, his tone dripping with amusement. “Try not to get distracted back there, rookie. This isn’t show-and-tell.”
I roll my eyes, though I can’t help the laugh that slips out. “Don’t worry, Knox. I’m here to fly, not flirt. For now.”
