Chapter 2 - Mid-Air Turbulence
The pilot's voice crackled over the intercom, masked by static and tension: ""Severe turbulence ahead. Secure yourselves immediately.""
Elena tightened her hold on the child, dropping onto the nearest cream leather armchair. Victoria gasped, clutching the armrest, her gaze flicking between the bodyguard at the back and Mateo. Mateo did not sit. His eyes remained locked on the infant sleeping soundly against Elena’s chest, unaffected by the sudden drop in altitude.
""What did you do?"" Mateo demanded quietly, leaning over her seat, one tattooed hand bracing against the headrest above Elena's head. The raw intensity in his gaze made her throat go dry.
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""Babies don't care about luxury, Mr. Vance,"" Elena whispered, her voice barely carrying over the storm outside. ""He was in distress because he couldn't feel a steady heart. Fear is contagious. He felt yours.""
Mateo’s jaw hardened. He had buried his vulnerabilities beneath layers of armor, yet this woman had exposed him with a single observation. Just as the aircraft leveled out, Mateo noticed a peculiar silver medallion peeking out from beneath Elena’s collar—an emblem identical to the one carved into the barrel of the gun hidden inside his own jacket.
