“Yes.”
I stared at him.
He didn’t deny it.
The wheels struck the runway.
The cabin shook.
“Why?”
Ethan looked toward the window.
For the first time since I’d met him, he seemed afraid.
Not for himself.
For me.
“Because your sister’s wedding isn’t a wedding.”
My throat tightened.
“What does that mean?”
He looked at Sophie.
“It means you were invited to Chicago because someone needed you here.”
The plane didn’t go to the normal gate.
We taxied past the terminal, past baggage carts and service roads, until we stopped near a private hangar.
I was furious enough to overcome fear.
“I’m calling the police.”
“You can.”
Ethan handed me his phone.
That stopped me.
He unlocked it and placed it in my palm.
“Call them.”
I stared.
“Why would you let me?”
“Because if I wanted to kidnap you, Rachel, you wouldn’t be holding an unlocked phone.”
Fair point.
I dialed 911.
Then hesitated.
What was I going to say?
The terrifying mafia billionaire who had spent the last several hours feeding my daughter had brought me to a private tarmac and offered me his phone?
Ethan watched me.
“Ask them to send Officer Michael Morales.”
My entire body went cold.
I slowly lowered the phone.
“How do you know my father’s name?”
Ethan’s face hardened.
“My car.
Now.”
“My father died twelve years ago.”
“I know.”
“Then what the hell is happening?”
He looked past me.
One of his security men had suddenly pressed a hand to his earpiece.
His expression changed.
“Boss.”
Ethan moved instantly.
“What?”
“Black Escalade approaching east service road.
No airport clearance.”
Ethan grabbed me.
Everything happened at once.
He pulled me behind his body.
The security men reached beneath their jackets.
A vehicle accelerated toward the hangar.
“Get her inside!”
I clutched Sophie.
“What’s happening?”
Ethan shoved open a side door.
“Move!”
A sound cracked across the tarmac.
