Chapter 1

I'm a field agent. Just before my wedding, I got an emergency assignment: escort a research scientist, Professor Dickerson, safely home.

But once I boarded the flight, I found the fiance who was supposed to be home planning our wedding circling around a flight attendant instead.

Duane Delgado caught me watching, and his face soured.

"Madge Swanson, didn't you say you were away on business? Did you take this flight on purpose just to keep an eye on me?"

"And who's the old man? You went off to keep him company right before our wedding?"

His childhood friend Leah Stewart cut in with a soft, wounded little pout.

"Madge, it's my first international long-haul and I was nervous, so Duane switched shifts just to be with me. Please don't take it the wrong way."

"Don't worry, Duane and I will take good care of you."

Only then did Duane's tone soften. "That's enough. Sit down, you're holding up the other passengers."

Something sour twisted in my chest. Duane never bent for anyone, and yet somehow it was always her he listened to.

Leah shot me a smug little glance and reached for the metal case in Professor Dickerson's hand.

"Let me put it up for you, Grandpa."

My stomach clenched and I clamped a hand around her wrist. "Don't touch it!"

...

Leah rubbed her hand, all injured innocence. "Madge, you're hurting me..."

Duane's brows knotted at that. He stepped in front of her and rounded on me.

"Madge Swanson, Leah was only trying to help. What's gotten into you?"

My nails bit into my palm. I forced myself not to notice how openly he shielded her.

Duane lifted his chin, studying Professor Dickerson with a suspicious eye.

"Who exactly is this? You said you were traveling for work!"

I drew a slow breath. "It's a work arrangement."

His expression darkened further.

Leah laughed. "Madge, you're a finance clerk. Here I thought you were off on a trip with some rich patron of yours."

"Watch your mouth." My eyes went cold as I moved to shield Professor Dickerson and walk him forward.

As I passed her, she murmured a soft laugh against my ear.

"Selling yourself right before your wedding. How sad. The old man won't even spring for a first-class seat for you."

Catching my displeasure, Leah put on an innocent face and rose on her toes as if to help stow my backpack.

Then her footing slipped, she tipped sideways, and the whole of her fell into Duane's arms.

Color rose in her cheeks, her voice soft and sweet. "You always know just how to look after me, Duane."

Then, as if she'd only just remembered I was there, Leah said, "Madge, don't get the wrong idea. Duane and I have been close like this since we were kids. You're not jealous, are you?"

Duane patted the top of her head. "Your Madge isn't the petty type."

"Madge, try to be understanding."

Duane wasn't even supposed to be on aviation security for this flight.

He'd deliberately switched shifts to be with Leah, and it just happened to land him on my assignment.

Three years ago, after we got engaged, Leah had hung on Duane's arm and cooed,

"Duane will always be my big brother. Madge isn't allowed to find me annoying."

I'd assumed they knew where the line was, that there were boundaries.

But later she'd have Duane bring her late-night snacks, and send racy photos at two in the morning.

Duane never thought twice about it. To him it was all just old-friend affection.

Every time I let a little of it slip out as a complaint, he'd just frown and say I was reading too much into things.

I swallowed down the bitterness and focused on the assignment.

I'd barely gotten Professor Dickerson settled when two men in masks sat down in the rear cabin.

Their eyes swept our way and held on Professor Dickerson for a few seconds.

The hair on the back of my neck stood up. I fixed their positions in my mind and was about to use my encrypted device to have someone run a check on them.

Then Leah came past me carrying a hot black coffee.

She caught her foot on a seat, and the scalding coffee splashed across my leg.

"Are you all right?"

Duane's voice came from beside me.

But the one he was asking was Leah, checking carefully whether any of it had hit her.

Leah cradled her wrist, eyes reddening. "I'm fine, Duane. I was just afraid it would burn Madge..."

"Madge, don't be angry with me. I really didn't mean to."

My stomach heaved, sour rising in my throat.

Only then did Duane look my way, his face set and displeased. "Go to the restroom and wipe it off."

But I couldn't leave. The case was still by Professor Dickerson's feet.

I held still through the sharp burn on my skin and didn't move an inch.

The mission came first. Some things could only be settled after we were safely on the ground.