He did as instructed, wondering if she was as groggy as she was leading him and McClain to believe. Regardless, Gavin finished and turned to face yet another weapon held by the pilot. Apparently, McClain had an entire army on his payroll. Gavin took the seat next to Sarah while McClain stepped in and shut the door.

“Get this thing in the air,” McClain yelled to the pilot. He turned back to Gavin. “No funny stuff or you’re dead and I’ll figure out what to do about her after that. As soon as we’re at cruising altitude and out of danger of being detected, she’s going to sign the papers. You hear me, Sarah?”

She ignored the man, keeping her eyes shut.

Gavin raised his hands as though in surrender.

McClain took the passenger seat in the front but stayed facing them, with the weapon trained on them. “Wrap the seatbelt around your arm and tie yourself to the armrest.”

After a brief hesitation, Gavin grabbed the lap belt and did as ordered. McClain reached over and grabbed the end, yanking it tight. The strap cut into his forearm, but Gavin kept his expression blank. He wouldn’t give the man the satisfaction of seeing him wince.

Sarah’s head lolled over onto Gavin’s shoulder, and he slipped his free arm around her to pull her closer.

“We have to get out of this,” she said, her voice low enough not to be heard by the two men up front.

“We will,” he said. “I’m working on a plan. Keep your eyes closed and act like you’re still drugged.”

“Not hard. I am. A little. Fortunately, I managed to dodge some of it.”

The plane accelerated down the rooftop runway and swooped into the air. He looked out the window and saw the authorities below, entering the building. Some pointed up to the plane and Gavin figured they’d have a police chopper on the way, if they didn’t already.

“They injected you with that drug, Sarah. You have to tell me if you start feeling . . . it.”

She gave a short nod. “Right now, I feel pretty good. Like I could conquer the world. Other than being a little sleepy, that is.”

“Good, we’re going to have to use that ‘conquer the world’ feeling as soon as we’re in the air.”

“How so?”

“Sarah,” McClain said, “glad to see you’re awake and feeling better. For now.”

Gavin wanted to smash the smirk off the man’s face. Instead, he narrowed his eyes and waited.

The plane banked left and the pilot said something to McClain, who jerked his attention to the window.

A police helicopter closing in. Thank God. Gavin leaned closer to Sarah. “The bird’s here. Please tell me you’ve parachuted out of a plane before.”