Skyjack by K.J. Howe

Author:K.J. Howe [Howe, K. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC000000 Fiction / General
Publisher: Quercus
Published: 2018-04-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 49

The sound of scraping woke Prospero. Metal against stone. What the hell? He scrambled out of bed and hurried over to the window and peered outside. One of the guards was shoveling freshly fallen snow from the cobblestone path. At least a foot had fallen while he slept. Dawn had eased in gently, soft morning light flooding the mountains, the view of the freshly capped white peaks breathtaking.

After slipping on a black cable-knit sweater, he opened the live feed on his computer. In groups of four, the hostages were allowed thirty minutes outside the cabin to get a little exercise. Prospero had given the okay, knowing it would keep them calmer. Given the tension between Luciano and the boys, they all needed to let off a little steam.

Karlsson, Matthias, and the two flight attendants were returning after their time outdoors. Karlsson seemed a little more together since Ocean had talked to him, but he still appeared fragile.

Prospero called Violetta to wish her good morning, telling her the business trip in Eastern Europe was going well. After this was over, he’d take her on a holiday, perhaps to Milan. She loved the stores at Quadrilatero d’Oro, the golden rectangle of shopaholic heaven where his credit card would get quite a workout. He smiled; he could afford it, and since it made her so happy, then why not?

The snow had lifted his spirits, and it seemed to give the hostages a morale boost as well. The boys were next in line to enjoy some outdoor time. They had already put on their new coats. Dillman and Captain Rivers were the other two hostages in their group.

“This is our first snow ever,” Jabari said. “What do we do with it?”

Dillman laughed. “I’ll teach you how to make a snowman—and snow angels.”

Rivers grinned. “Or we could have a snowball fight.”

“I’m going to dive right into it.” Ayan hopped around with excitement.

Prospero left his bedroom, grabbed a caffè from the kitchen, and hurried outside, thinking it might be fun to watch the boys enjoy their first snowfall. His hip ached even more when he stepped outside, but he didn’t care; he brushed off the snow on a nearby bench and sat down to enjoy the show.

Ayan sprinted toward a large pile of fluffy snow, diving headfirst into it with a squeal of joy. Jabari lay on his back, creating snow angels under Dillman’s tutelage. Jabari made one angel, then jumped up to briefly admire it before searching for a fresh spot to make another. Even Bassam and the guards watched with amusement. Seeing something new through the eyes of a child was a wonderful experience. And Ayan Kuria—the boy was like a wind-up toy that never stopped.

Dillman kneeled beside Jabari to teach him how to make a snowman. The older boy scooped up a handful of snow and sprinkled the fluffy white powder on the man’s mustache. They both laughed.

Rivers packed snow between his hands. One of Bassam’s men had removed the shrapnel and treated his shoulder, and he looked to be in less pain.

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