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Emotion fills her voice. “God! Love when you call me that. Okay, I’m hanging up before I start crying again.”
Slipping my phone into my pocket, I make my way down the soft gray carpeted aisle. There are four private compartments, two on either side. I choose the second one on the right.
Arie knows I prefer this one. A clean suit is waiting for me, freshly steamed and carefully hung.
Sliding the door closed, I take a quick shower in the back of the cubicle, washing the club from my body, then change into the suit. I transfer my phone to the breast pocket of the dark gray jacket before reopening the attached bathroom door. Settling down in the cushy leather seat, I try to relax, but I feel tension tightening my shoulders.
Reading my mood, a second flight attendant hands me a whiskey, moving on before I can even thank her. She’s new; I remind myself to find out her name. She slides the door closed behind her, leaving me in a soundproof bubble of peace.
I reach up, adjusting things to my liking so the space is dimly lit, the air cool. I push a button and the shade slowly lowers over the window, blocking my view of the tarmac.
I close my eyes and try to rest. All I can think about is my dad and how quickly I can get to Greece. I was raised to put family first and I always will. My only solace is knowing the family is there holding down the fort till I land.
The engines must have started because I can feel the hum of the plane below me which is soothing. We’re rolling down the tarmac and I brace myself for takeoff. Soon, we’re soaring. I take a deep breath, knowing I’m on the way to see my dad.
I’m finally starting to relax when the second attendant returns, a tentative knock at the door.
I hide the annoyance in my tone. “Come in.”
The door glides open. She stands there, staring at me. She blinks a few extra times before she speaks. “I’m so sorry to bother you, sir. We have… an issue.”
“An issue?” The last thing I want to deal with right now.
We younger, single brothers prefer the smaller, private airport and minimal security for our trips, capable of taking care of ourselves. Once in a blue moon there’s an “issue,” usually revolving around a crazy ex.
“Is this some kind of April Fool’s joke?” I ask, rising from my seat. “Don’t tell me we have a stowaway.”
“No joke. No prank, I’m afraid.” She wrings her hands together. “Well, Mr. Bachman, um… I’m afraid that’s exactly what I’ve come to tell you. We… ah… just found someone on our rounds.”
The color’s drained from her face. She’s not kidding. And here I thought I’d down a whiskey, pass out, sleep through the flight, and wake up in Greece.
Not happening.
I feel anger bubbling up in my gut. It’s been a long day, between golfing with Rockland and clubbing with the boys. I need my rest. “Who in their right mind would board my plane—”
She leans forward, speaking in low tones. “It’s a girl. I’ve never seen her before, she’s not on any of our staff lists. We were doing our final safety checks, getting ready for takeoff, and I must have missed her. Just now, when I went to get a few more bottles of water, I found her sleeping in the drink storage. The pilot wants to know if we should make an emergency landing.”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. I’ve got to get to my dad. “No way. Go tell him we keep going. And bring me the girl.”
She gives a nod, rushing away to do my bidding. “I’ll send Arie.”
The longer I stand here, the angrier I get. Who could it be? I run through the list of usual suspects. It’s got to be a crazy ex of one of the younger brothers. A stalkerish, Beauty-wannabe type that got turned down but couldn’t let go.
Beau, a notorious ladies’ man, was supposed to be on this jet tonight after the club, flying to France to see one of his honeys. I texted him as I spoke to Sasha, already on the way to the airport. He generously changed plans when he heard about my dad.
It's got to be one of his, a member of his Beau’s Broken-Heart Club, as we call the string of the many women he’s devastated.
Arie, my lead attendant, approaches a moment later. “Sir. I’ve got someone here to meet you.”
There’s a shorter figure hiding behind the tall flight attendant. A delicate, heart-shaped face peeks out from behind Arie’s shoulder. Big brown eyes lock on mine.
It’s her.
I have to hold back a laugh. Her friend was so aggressive, I’d had a feeling I’d bump into them again.
But not her alone, and not this soon.
My naughty little stowaway.
