The senior flight attendant spoke carefully.
“Mr.
Callahan, your security detail has been notified.
They’ll meet you on the private tarmac.”
My stomach dropped.
Callahan.
I knew that name.
Everyone in Chicago knew that name.
And apparently, even a waitress in Los Angeles who hadn’t lived in Chicago for eleven years still knew it.
Callahan construction.
Callahan shipping.
Callahan casinos.
Callahan political donations.
Callahan nightclubs.
And beneath the legitimate businesses, there were always whispers.
Union bosses.
Judges.
Men who disappeared.
Police investigations that went nowhere.
Witnesses who suddenly remembered nothing.
And at the center of every whispered story was one name.
Ethan Callahan.
The reputed head of Chicago’s most powerful crime family.
The King of Chicago.
And my daughter was asleep in his arms.
Before I could speak, Ethan turned to one of the bodyguards.
“Have the jet fueled in Chicago.”
“Yes, boss.”
My stomach dropped again.
“Jet?”
Ethan gently placed Sophie back into my arms.
Then he looked directly at me.
Those eyes could apparently terrify an entire city.
But when they met mine, they were strangely gentle.
“She and the baby are coming with me.”
I stared at him.
“No.”
Neither bodyguard moved.
Ethan raised one eyebrow.
“No?”
“No.”
“Rachel—”
My heart stopped.
I had never told him my name.
I stood so quickly that Sophie stirred.
“How do you know my name?”
The softness disappeared from Ethan’s face.
Not because he looked angry.
Because he looked caught.
I stepped backward into the aisle.
“How do you know my name?”
One flight attendant suddenly became fascinated with the galley curtain.
Ethan stood.
“Sit down.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Rachel.”
“Stop saying my name!”
Sophie woke and began crying again.
Several passengers turned.
Ethan lowered his voice.
“I know your name because someone has been looking for you.”
Every exhausted nerve in my body came alive.
“Who?”
He didn’t answer.
“Who?”
His eyes shifted toward Sophie.
That scared me more than anything he could have said.
The plane began descending.
The captain announced our approach to Chicago.
Ethan leaned closer.
“When those doors open, do not call your sister.
Do not turn on your phone.
And whatever happens, do not leave this plane with anyone except me.”
I actually laughed.
It came out breathless and terrified.
“You think I’m going somewhere with you?”
“Yes.”
“You’re insane.”
“Possibly.”
“I don’t know you.”
“No.”
“You knew who I was before we even boarded.”
