Page 39 of Mile High Ruin

The captain introduces himself as Thomas Avery, an American in his forties who speaks to me like a colleague instead of something he found behind a bar, which immediately places him several continents above Hale.

The other attendant is Elise Moreau, French, composed, efficient, and blessedly uninterested in interrogating me about my personal life.

Most importantly, Hale is nowhere in sight.

The relief is immediate. I didn’t realize how much tension I’ve carried from the first flight until I step into the cockpit for the crew briefing and see two men who treat me normally.

I breathe easier.

Maybe this really is just another job. Maybe the first flight was a strange combination of circumstances that will never repeat.

I spend the next hour preparing the cabin with Elise. The passenger manifest isn’t available yet because someone on the ground is apparently still finalizing documentation, and I’m too busy to care.

Or I pretend to be.

When the vehicle finally approaches the aircraft, I take my position near the door beside Elise. Two men step out, and my stomach drops before the first one even reaches the stairs.

Marek. I recognize him immediately.

And then Vadim. It’s just the two of them there.

For one second, I forget everything I’ve been telling myself.

He reaches the top of the stairs and sees me. The reaction is small, so small that another person might miss it entirely. His stride doesn’t change. His expression remains controlled. But his eyes stop on me.

There is recognition there, and something warmer beneath it. Something that makes my pulse jump before I can stop it.

“Mr. Chernovar,” I say.

“Sloane.”

Not Miss Mercer. Sloane.

I make myself smile professionally. “Welcome aboard.”

His gaze moves over my face as if checking that I’m actually standing there. Then down briefly. Not enough to be rude, but enough that I notice.

“Thank you.” He walks past.

That’s all.

Marek stops in front of me. His eyebrows rise. “Well.”

I already know I’m going to dislike whatever follows.

“Good morning, Mr. Yudin.”

He smiles. “How fortunate.”

I stare at him, and he continues into the cabin before I can answer.

Wonderful.

So he remembers. That means all of them remember.

I look toward the cabin and find Vadim watching me again. This time, when our eyes meet, there is unmistakable amusement in his face.

I turn away first.