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need to get out. Get them out. The fuel!’
    Sophie’s fingers grappled with her belt clasp. The locking mechanism wouldn’t open and those ball-of-flame visions returned to add desperation to her frustration. She rattled the catch.
    Levi’s hand came across and pushed the release and suddenly she was free. ‘It’s OK. I’ll do it.’ Why was he whispering?
    He was conscious. Thank God. ‘You were knocked out.’
    â€˜Hmm,’ he said, his voice still weak, and rubbed thefront of his head. Then he blinked and sat up straighter. ‘You OK? Out!’ He turned his attention to the back seat but Odette was already on the ground and attempting to rouse Smiley.
    Sophie scrambled up from her seat and climbed over the scattered wreckage at the front of the craft to help Odette. Smiley groaned but didn’t open his eyes and Sophie lifted his lids to peer into his eyes. His pupils contracted with the light and she heaved a sigh of relief. No time for sympathy. ‘Wake up, Smiley. Move!’
    Smiley’s eyelids fluttered and he groaned. ‘What happened?’
    Levi was out and beside them now too. He swayed ever so slightly and Sophie watched him with narrowed eyes. ‘Later, sport,’ Levi said. ‘Let’s get you out of here, though I think if the tank was going to explode it would have done before now.’ He shooed both women with his hand. ‘Get away, over by those trees, you two. Now.’
    Odette turned and hobbled away but Sophie stood her ground. ‘Maybe he shouldn’t be moved.’
    â€˜No choice.’ Levi frowned at Smiley. ‘Can you move your fingers and toes?’
    â€˜My leg hurts.’
    â€˜No tingling?’ Smiley shook his head, then grimaced, and tried to pull himself free but recoiled his arm back to his chest with a loud groan.
    The hiss of liquid hitting hot metal made them all jump. Levi frowned. ‘I’ll do the work, just brace yourarm.’ He heaved Smiley sideways and onto the ground in one huge movement and then dragged him away from the aircraft with Sophie almost glued to his back. The intermittent hiss from behind hastened their steps.
    Sophie looked back over her shoulder. ‘I’m glad it only just started doing that.’
    Levi propped Smiley against a tree. ‘I could have lived without it. We’ll give it some time to cool down and then see what’s happening with the radio, as long as everyone is stable.’
    He turned to his sister, who hovered over Smiley. ‘What about you, Odette? Your baby?’
    â€˜I’m not hurt. He’s moving normally. Is William all right?’
    â€˜Fine. I’m more worried about you.’ He looked at Sophie, who nodded and drew his sister to a fallen tree to sit.
    â€˜You need to sit for a while, Odette. We’ve fallen out of the sky.’ She shook her head. Holy dooley. ‘We’re alive but it’s crazily worse than a car accident and babies don’t like being in those. You sure you’re not contracting?’
    Odette stroked her belly. ‘It doesn’t hurt.’
    â€˜OK. But sit. While I check Smiley.’
    â€˜His name is William,’ Odette said. ‘Smiley sounds like a dummy and he’s not that.’
    Sophie blinked. Good grief. That’s all she needed. ‘William,’ she said but rolled her eyes as she turned away.

CHAPTER FOUR
    L EVI glowered at the wreckage of the aircraft and shook his head as they all gathered their breath. ‘An engine should never do that.’ His jaw clamped tight and she could see the implacable leader who highly resented mechanical failure.
    Well, yes. She wasn’t too impressed about it herself but even she knew the unexpected was possible.
    Nobody else said anything and Sophie asked the question. ‘What happened?’
    Levi ignored her and turned to his sister. ‘You saw nothing out of order in the pre-flight check,