Loved By You Books 1-2

By Eva Winslow

Unexpected Romance- Loved By You: Book 1

Laura Brooks is a nervous flier and prefers to keep her feet planted firmly on the ground, yet every year she boards a flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong for a month-long visit with her sister. Her time with her sister is special and this year even more so - she has a brand new niece she can't wait to meet. Excited as she is, she won't breathe a sigh of relief until the wheels touchdown in Hong Kong.

Charlie Winters is a young co-pilot with only a few more flights before he is promoted to pilot. Flying is his life and he loves traveling around the world. He has always been happily unattached - free to come and go as he pleases. Hong Kong is one of his favorite cites, and he's looking forward to spending some downtime there after the long flight from San Francisco.

The uneventful flight turns disastrous when a typhoon prevents the plane from landing at its final destination at Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong. With little fuel left, the captain makes a decision that will put the lives of everyone on board in jeopardy - he makes an illegal emergency landing at an airport in Mainland China. It's 1973 and China does not allow planes to land without permission and without the proper paperwork. The plane is immediately surrounded by the Chinese Military and no one is permitted to get on or off.

Charlie's job is to make sure everyone is safe and as he makes his rounds, Laura catches his eye. When it becomes clear they're not going leave any time soon, he enlists her help keeping the other passengers calm. The plane sits on the runway for days and as they work together, the attraction between Charlie and Laura grows. Is it the start of something between them, or just the result of their current situation? Will they go their separate ways once they reach the safety of Hong Kong?

Unexpected Proposal – Loved By You: Book 2

When Laura Brooks and Charlie Winters meet under dire circumstances, neither one of them expects to become romantically involved. Once they reach the safety of Hong Kong, they plan to go their separate ways. But they can't. They can't forget the attraction that has grown between them, and they can't ignore the desire to see each other again.

After spending a romantic month together in the British Virgin Islands, the love between them grows. And so does Laura's uncertainty. Not about Charlie, but about herself. Is she the right woman for him? Can she be the person he needs? When Charlie makes an unexpected proposal and asks her to stay in the British Virgin Islands with him, Laura's self-doubt causes her to end the relationship. She believes Charlie can do better than a waitress from San Francisco.

Laura returns home with a heavy heart, convinced she made the right decision, but Charlie is not ready to give up on the woman he loves. He must convince her that the love between them is more than enough, and that she is the only woman for him. Will she listen, or will she stand firm on her decision to end the relationship?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eva Winslow
• Release date: Dec 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201104467

Book preview

Table of Contents

LOVED BY YOU BOOKS 1-2

UNEXPECTED ROMANCE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

UNEXPECTED PROPOSAL

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

EPILOGUE

COPYRIGHT

UNEXPECTED ROMANCE

Loved By You: Book 1

By

Eva Winslow

CHAPTER ONE

October 1973

Call me Anna, hun.

Laura Brooks smiled gratefully at the woman beside her in 5B.

From her window seat, she could see the edges of the Hawaiian archipelago disappearing out from under the plane, the last patches of visible land until Taiwan, and she was quite pleased to have a reason to look in the opposite direction.

The almost six-hour-flight from San Francisco to Honolulu to refuel had been uncomfortable; the second take-off had been more nerve-wracking than the first; the prospect of spending another eleven hours in the air was stifling; and Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport was a legendarily difficult landing.

Laura was comfortable with neither small spaces nor heights—why was she on this plane, again? At least she’d been upgraded to first class; not bad for a waitress from Bayview.

And Anna’s friendliness was a welcome distraction. They had spent the initial part of the flight in polite silence, as passengers so often did, but a mild spot of turbulence had Laura whimpering in distress, and Anna had given her a gentle nudge and made introductions.

How did you end up on one of the longest, most stressful flights in the world, Anna? Laura asked; keen to keep up the conversation.

Change of scenery, Anna told her with a small, secret smile that looked like a personal in-joke. I was offered a job at a hotel in Hong Kong—brand new place, real swanky.

That’s exciting. That was worth boarding a whopping eighteen hour flight for. I’m visiting my sister, Clare. She just had a baby.

Anna hummed that perfunctory sound people were expected to make when anyone mentioned babies. And she lives in a whole other continent? That must be difficult for you.

It was. Laura hadn’t even met little Lily yet, having had only mailed photos and baby babble over long-distance phone calls to connect with her. She missed her sister fiercely, was missing out on so much of her new life, and it wasn’t like her waitressing job amassed her enough savings to jet off to Hong Kong every other week. She hadn’t had the funds this time at all, but Clare and her husband had insisted on footing the bill, refusing to take no for an answer. They’d even surprised her with a first class ticket.

She’d find a way to repay them even if they wouldn’t take the money; the ten pounds of primo baby formula in her carry-on was a start.

So what job has you flying halfway around the world? she asked Anna, not wanting to linger too much on missing her sister right now. There would, unfortunately, be plenty of time for that on the return trip.

Beautician.

You must be good to get such luxury treatment.

I’ve cut, styled, and waxed a few famous faces. Anna shrugged nonchalantly, no hint of bragging at all despite Laura burning to ask for details. Got head-hunted by some agent working for the new Furama Hotel and was looking for a reason to get out of the US.

The plane suddenly juddered like a car hitting a deep pothole, and Laura threw a hand out and gripped Anna’s forearm tightly. Oh my God.

Anna chuckled, giving her another soft nudge. You’re alright, hun.

Laura nodded; she was alright, she was alright, she was alright… except nothing could shift the sensation of dread churning away in her stomach. Each new patch of turbulence was more violent than the last, as if they were approaching something terrible. It would lull her into a false sense of security for a while, then strike again just as she’d started to get comfortable.

Anna, at least, was pleasant conversation. They drank a glass of complementary wine or two, enjoyed an inflight meal, and swapped some stories as the sun sank into the blanket of clouds below, turning the sky a burnt orange. They both grew up in San Francisco, with parents struggling to make ends meet and ballgames in the busy streets broken off by honking cars and angry neighbors. Where Laura had started waitressing right out of high school, feeling swept up in the tide of the big city, Anna had known exactly what she wanted to do with her life.

It would have been pleasant, peaceful even, if it hadn’t been for the increasing volatility of the journey.

It’s getting worse, Laura told Anna in a low voice.

She nodded. Yeah, but you need to stop worrying about it before your heart gives out because there’s nowhere to land right now but the ocean.

Laura shuddered. She opened her mouth to sarcastically thank Anna for giving her something else to worry about when the door between the cockpit and the galley opened. It creaked loudly, drawing enough passengers’ attention that a confused murmur rippled around the small first class section, and a tall, slim man in uniform stepped out and gestured sharply to the head steward.

Is that… is that the pilot? Laura asked, her voice cracking.

Anna frowned slowly, sitting up straighter. Three stripes. Co-pilot, maybe?

Is he allowed to leave the cockpit?

I honestly don’t know.

Her sense of dread deepened. The co-pilot had a hushed, hurried word with the steward and then turned around, catching Laura’s eye. Whatever she looked like, whatever anxiety was painted all over her face, seemed to elicit a momentary softness from him. He stared at her for just a handful of seconds, his mouth downturned and his eyebrows creased together, before slipping back inside the cockpit as quick as he’d appeared.

Whatever information had been relayed was now passed to the flight crew, and Laura distinctly caught the phrases not enough fuel and don’t have the right papers.

A shrill ding brought the announcement system to life, a voice crackling through the speakers. We’re sorry for the turbulence out here, folks. We’ve got a storm up ahead, but we’ve flown through plenty of them so there’s no need to panic. Your flight crew will take good care of you.

Then the seatbelt light switched on.

It’s normal when there’s turbulence, Anna said quickly before Laura could open her mouth to immediately do what the pilot’s message had told her not to: panic. Look how calm the attendants are.

They’re trained to be calm, Laura pointed out through gritted teeth.

"Exactly! They’re trained. Do you want me get one for you? Have them tell you to calm down?"

I can’t tell if you’re joking or not, Laura said drolly.

Anna smiled mischievously. Not even that handsome co-pilot? I bet he could make you feel better.

Against all odds, Laura found herself laughing. No, he can stay up at the controls while the plane is flying into a storm, thank you very much.

Her laughter was cut abruptly short as the plane lurched sideways, several of the overhead compartments flying open and bags hitting the aisle, the seats, the passengers. The cabin seemed to compress in on her, small and choking and too delicate a thing to survive the brutality of what was outside. It was as if a great fist was crushing the plane, the metal groaning and rumbling against such immense pressure.

The speakers dinged again, and the pilot told them, We’ve hit that storm, folks, as you can probably tell. Looks like landing in Kai Tak is out of the question now, and we’re going for Shenzhen Bao just a short hop away.

Where’s that? Laura asked Anna desperately.

Not Hong Kong, Anna said and for the first time since the turbulence began, she looked uneasy. Mainland China.

Anything had to be an easier landing than Tak Kai in this storm. She’d done the trip enough times before to feel sick at the sharp turn before the runway, and she couldn’t imagine how suicidal it would be in these current conditions.

The extra minutes of flight time did not feel like a short hop. The storm buffeted them from seemingly all sides, with occasional input from the pilot telling them to keep calm muffled by the orchestra of panicked passengers and ever-increasing turbulence. The plane twisted at odd angles, dipped and rose sporadically, and felt at war with its crew as they leapt from their seats to slam overhead compartment doors shut so the avalanche of luggage couldn’t hurt anyone else.

The sound of children crying echoed from the main cabin behind them, a cacophony of the purest fear that made Laura want to cover her ears and scream to drown it out.

We’re entering Shenzhen Bao airspace now, the pilot informed them.

Laura felt her stomach twist, the urge to throw up rising in her throat as the plane marked its descent with a sudden plummet.

We’ll be on the ground in minutes, Anna reassured her, taking Laura’s hand in hers and tangling their fingers together, her pulse matching Laura’s own rapid, frantic heartbeat.

The need to comfort Anna right back momentarily overrode her own terror, and she tried her best to smile. When we do, I’ll buy us both a celebratory glass of Baiju.

Anna barked a laugh. "Now that might actually kill us."

Everyone has to die of something—her Nana used to say that. Easy for Nana to say, dying peacefully in her own bed surrounded by loved ones and resolutely not a fiery plan crash.

Wish I could call Clare, Laura thought with a horrible pang. Or Mom and Dad. All at once, the thoughts were a deluge, filling her with a kind of grief she couldn’t even comprehend. What if this was it and she never got to see her family again? Never got to meet her niece? Never got to tell any of them how much she loved them?

From the curtain behind her, she heard someone praying, another yelling at people to stop screaming, someone else heaving great sobs.

Laura found herself silent, clinging tight to the memories of her loved ones. If she was going out, it would be like this: stoic with the images of them in her mind. Her Nana would’ve laughed at wailing hysterics, told them no tears and made her own end into one big joke. Laura never considered herself that brave but for Nana, she found herself some small reserve of steel.

The cabin lights flickered off, the cage of metal around them screamed, the pilot said, Passengers and crew, brace for landing.

And then they hit the ground.

***

Laura? Laura!

It came through a fog, the words muffled like she was underwater. It was her head pounding. Or was it her ears ringing? Her vision seemed to blur, moisture falling onto her cheeks every time she blinked.

And then it came back to her in a rush: the plane, the storm, the emergency landing.

They… they’d made it. She was fairly certain she was still alive and kicking, pressing her hands to her chest, her head, her limbs—yup, all there!

She tore at her seatbelt despite the overhead sign still glowing through the hazy darkness of the cabin. Once it was open, she dragged Anna into her arms and started laughing.

Are you—are you okay? she asked, hoarse and stuttered.

Anna nodded. Think so? You?

She couldn’t tell, sheer adrenaline surging through her at the overwhelming realization that she was still alive. All around them, passengers yelled and clutched at each other, the relief palpable and infectious and swelling throughout the plane.

Bags and food trays littered every inch of the floor. It looked like the entire contents of both the galley and the overhead bins had exploded outwards with tremendous force, and dust motes sparkled through the air like the filtration system had taken a beating.

The flight crew got up and began checking on each row of passengers, somehow steady on their feet and with strength enough to start clearing the aisles. Laura was in awe of them; her own legs were jelly as she tried to stand, her shaking hands clutching at the seatback in front of her.

Up ahead, the door to the cockpit opened up with that same creak, and a round of applause rippled out as the pilot and co-pilot appeared.

The senior of the two started to converse with the flight crew, but the co-pilot made his way down the aisle, stopping at the row in front of theirs. Laura hadn’t noticed, but the lady in 4B was quite elderly, and the co-pilot knelt down to speak to her in a gentle, deep yet melodic voice.

Anna moved into the aisle, concerned about her carry-on, while Laura simply watched the co-pilot work his soothing magic on the old woman.

Eventually, he stood, catching Laura’s eye once again.

Real nice of you to do the rounds, she said hoarsely. And after that display of heroics.

He gave her a lopsided smile, just the right amount of teasing mixed with the visible flush of relief. He ran a hand through his hair, dark and streaked with twinkling silver. He didn’t look old enough to be going grey, but it added a kind of sophistication to him that was very appealing—and was she really falling in lust right now? Had to be the adrenaline coursing through her, just sheer life-affirming joy. She couldn’t help it.

Just glad to see everyone’s safe, he replied. It was a rough one.

Laura smiled back, her heartbeat wild in her chest. You couldn’t even tell.

Oh, really? he drawled.

Frissons of reckless warmth curled through her. Very smooth landing. Don’t know what all the fuss was about.

He leaned against Anna’s headrest. It was all a bit overdramatic, wasn’t it?

Laura laughed, impressed at his sense of humor after everything. His hands were trembling ever-so-slightly, though, and it told her everything she needed to know about how much danger they’d been in.

Thank you, she told him sincerely. For… saving us.

He cocked his head, his teasing expression softening. Just doing my job, miss.

Laura. She held out her hand. Name’s Laura.

Charles, he replied, his long fingers enveloping her small ones, his handshake warm and firm.

Charles, she repeated on a breath. It suited him, his youthful features with prematurely graying hair, his air of uniformed austerity with that lovely mischievous edge. Nice to meet you.

The announcement system dinged, and the older pilot stood at the front of the plane with a microphone in his hand. We’re encountering a small problem with our presence here in China, ladies and gentlemen, and we appreciate your ongoing patience.

How much worse could it get? Laura quipped.

Charles chuckled, but then…

His eyes shifted just a few inches left, over Laura’s shoulder and out the window, and his mouth slowly fell into a grimace. She whipped around, blood already running cold, and saw—saw trucks pulling up, dozens and dozens of soldiers streaming out of them with machine guns in hand.

Machine guns pointed at their plane.

Oh, Laura said numbly.

Please remain calm, the pilot called out over the speakers, trying to be louder than the passengers clearly noticing what Laura and Charles already had. If everyone could just remain in their seats!

She couldn’t count them, lost it at thirty, couldn’t comprehend that many weapons, that many bullets. She whipped back around and desperately breathed, Charles?

But he was gone, a rush of navy uniform and silvering hair urgently making his way to his captain.

CHAPTER TWO

Martin threw down the console radio, raking his hands through his thinning hair.

Charlie leaned against the cockpit door, arms folded tight. They’ll get us out.

Didn’t you hear them? Martin shot back. It’s been twenty-four-hours, and it sounds like the US government considers this a vacation for us.

It’s an international incident, Charlie said calmly. They’re going as fast as they can.

Martin Briggs, almost thirty years Charlie’s senior, a pilot for longer than Charlie had been alive, was clearly at his breaking point. Charlie wondered if there was some nuance he was missing here, some breed of experience that Martin had which he couldn’t comprehend.

The State Department would pull through for them; Charlie was worried, sure, but only about the passengers’ ability to handle the situation. Martin, however, appeared cynical over the whole affair.

Look, Charlie told him. You’re tired, you’re dehydrated, and all of this doesn’t have to fall on your shoulders. Tell me what I need to do to make this easier for you.

With a groan, Martin stood and stretched. He reached out a hand and placed it firmly on Charlie’s shoulder. You’re a good boy, Charlie.

Charlie rolled his eyes. I’m twenty-nine, Martin. He did this a lot, lacing almost fatherly endearments into the strangest of moments. He’d trained Charlie himself, taken him under his wing—no pun intended—and been determined to make a captain out of him one day.

That day was coming soon, too; Charlie had amassed the flight hours he needed, passed the required test, and only had one more supervised flight to complete before he was a fully credited captain.

Ironically, that was supposed to be their journey back to American from Hong Kong.

I give seventy-thirty odds against us that the Chinese military will board this plane before the State Department pulls their heads out their asses, Martin said wearily.

Yesterday it was fifty-fifty, Charlie tried to joke, but his mouth had run dry.

Martin’s dark expression said it all. And when they do, we’re impounded and probably jailed.

"When? Charlie repeated drolly, trying once again to remain lighthearted. What happened to seventy-thirty?"

Martin only shrugged and said, Well.

That wasn’t an answer, and Charlie pushed himself off the door to step closer. The government won’t let that happen to us.

Why, Charlie? Martin shot back.

And Charlie couldn’t think of an answer either, just knew that he hadn’t questioned that belief and nor did he want to right now.

No, Charlie said firmly, because he couldn’t do this right now. I’m getting you some water, and then you’re going to rest. Okay?

Don’t worry about me. You’ve been doing a good job keeping people calm, Martin said wearily. "A good job keeping yourself calm. Stick with it. Prepare them without scaring them."

Charlie stood up straight, took a deep breath, and steadied his resolve. Yes, sir.

He unlocked the cockpit door and left, locking it again behind him. In the small space of the galley, George, Moira, and Jada from the flight crew were passing around a single water bottle, their uniforms stripped down to rolled-up shirtsleeves. On board supplies were dwindling, even with strict rationing, and the crew were expending the majority of their energy marching up and down the aisles keeping people fed, watered, and placated.

How’re we holding up? Charlie asked.

Jada looked at him dryly. Great vacation, boss.

I’ve always wanted to visit China, George quipped.

Moira snorted. They really rolled out the red carpet, huh?

Charlie grinned, glad to see at least these three keeping their sense of humor. If the flight crew remained levelheaded, the passengers would pick up on that. Charlie could handle stressed passengers so long as he had a good crew behind him.

He gestured through the curtain into first class. How is it out there?

Eerily quiet except for the kids, Jada informed him. But they’re simmering. All it takes is one person to unsettle the lot.

Do we have any contenders?

Jada exchanged looks with both George and Moira; oh, they had some contenders alright, and Charlie gestured for them to speak freely.

11C and D, George said. 13H, 19B, the whole middle row of 27, 36H and J, and Moira has some concerns about first class.

Moira nodded. "We have a ‘don’t you know who I am?’ gentleman in 1E, and a ‘do you know how much I paid for this flight?’ young man in 3D."

Typical, Charlie drawled. I can handle the rich boys. Don’t worry yourself over them, Moira.

She smiled gratefully, and Charlie thanked them for… well… essentially reconnoitering the plane. He knew the problem spots now, and it would make it easier to tackle any issues going forward. The flight crew had grouped themselves into teams to take care of each individual section of the plane, and all he needed now was a few volunteers from the passengers so this didn’t turn into an us vs. them situation.

He took off his jacket, rolling up his own shirtsleeves. When he asked the passengers for help, it was good for them to see him as vulnerable as well as authoritative.

Gazing out across the first rows, he spotted a couple of viable candidates among them: Laura and Anna in 5A and B. They’d both kept their cool impressively so far, and yesterday he’d watched Laura admonish another passenger who was hassling a stewardess.

They were talking quietly between themselves but as he approached, they looked up.

Ladies, he said politely. How are we doing?

Laura gazed out the window, where the military trucks still parked and the men with their guns still stood. You’d think they’d want us to leave. She looked tired and scared in the early morning light, but then she turned a wan smile on him that made his heart unexpectedly flutter. "How are you doing?"

He was taken aback; nobody has asked him that yet, not even Martin. I’m… hopeful. The State Department’s working on getting us out of this safely.

And how long is that gonna take? a voice piped up, the young man from 3D who Moira had mentioned. He was standing, and his voice was that particular kind of snotty that Charlie often associated with spoiled twenty-somethings traveling with their parents’ BankAmericard. From what you guys have told us, it looks like we have two choices—get shot or starve to death in this metal box.

Sir, Charlie started.

His name’s Jack, Anna quickly whispered.

"Jack, Charlie corrected, giving Anna a grateful glance. Neither of those two things are going to happen."

If you’d let me call my father—

Unless your father is the president of the United States or the Secretary of State, he cannot possibly help us, Charlie interrupted.

He has money, Jack spat. "He could buy and sell this whole damn plane to the Chinese. He could buy and sell you."

Well, I welcome him to try, Charlie said, trying and failing to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. But for now, we have more pressing concerns. Can I rely on any of you fine folks to help me out for a little while? Jack? Maybe you’d like to chip in and help your fellow passengers? He didn’t expect Jack to be persuaded, but the offer was an olive branch nonetheless.

Jack’s face twisted unpleasantly—predictably. Hell no. Don’t you know who I am?

Charlie just about stopped himself from gritting his teeth. Anyone else?

Laura and Anna stood, as well as a well-dressed gentleman sat in the front row and an older American couple from 5E and F. Charlie put the couple to work in first class so they didn’t have to travel up and down the aisles too much. The man, a banker from Italy, was sent to speak with the flight crew at the back of the plane. Laura and Anna, Charlie led to the galley between first class and section one, closing the curtains to seal them off.

Here, the sound of children crying was louder, and the three of them stood and listened for a while, seemingly entranced by it.

They’re scared, Laura said softly.

They’re brats, Anna added.

Laura nudged her. Not a kid person, are you?

I am when their parents are keeping better control of them. Maybe if they were, we wouldn’t have had that boy running up and down screaming and stealing everyone’s blankets last night.

She didn’t get much sleep, Laura explained to Charlie. Don’t mind her.

Anna sighed. "Who did get any sleep through the shrieking?"

They’re scared kids, Anna.

I know! Anna slumped dejectedly against the small countertop with a heavy sigh. I know.

Charlie looked between them. In the dim light of the galley, they both looked exhausted. Laura’s dark hair was falling from its pins to tumble down across her shoulders, her green eyes smudged with bruises underneath. Anna’s face was pinched where just twenty-four-hours ago she’d seemed bubbly and quick to laugh. Charlie knew he looked no better, his hair a mess and his eyes scratchy.

Tell me what you think the most immediate problems are, he told them, trying to channel their frustration.

Fear and boredom, Anna informed him.

Laura took a considered breath. Trust. The passengers think you’re lying to us about how much danger we’re in. Some think it’s just a matter of time before the army comes in with their guns blazing.

If we’re going to die, it’d be nice to know beforehand, Anna quipped.

Laura nudged her again. "Anna."

Charlie put his hands out. "Ladies, nobody’s going to die, I promise you. Now, we’ve identified some problems areas, and the best thing we can do now is tackle those. Anna, could you please help me find some more passengers who might be willing to volunteer to keep everyone else calm?"

She nodded wearily, putting an arm around Laura and squeezing her close in a short hug before slipping through the curtain.

It was just him and Laura, now. Laura with her bright eyes and warmth that inexplicably made him feel less… alone. That was it, wasn’t it? The sensation creeping in through the stalwart edges of his resolve. Between Martin’s pessimism and the flight crew being endlessly busy, a hollowness was beginning to eat away under his ribs. Standing there with Laura in that cramped space, however, was soothing in a way he couldn’t explain.

Are you okay? he asked softly.

Why won’t they let us go? she demanded plainly.

The captain explained—

"Charles, please."

He stared at her for a handful of seconds. Call me Charlie. All my friends do. She let out a small sigh, the corner of her mouth quirking up, and he considered that win. They won’t let us go because they’re either posturing for the US government or they think we’re a smuggling operation. We did something illegal by landing in their airspace without a permit, and they want to appear tough on that sort of thing.

Which means what? Jail?

She wanted the truth. It wouldn’t help keep her calm, might even make everything worse, but he wanted to respect her wishes, show her he was worthy of trusting. Impounding the plane, arresting the crew and passengers, and looking for any illegal goods.

She was silent for a moment before asking, Odds?

He smiled wryly. Seventy-thirty in their favor, according to the captain.

Laura nodded, taking a deep, shaky breath and appearing to bolster herself. Okay. What do you need me to do?

You and I are going to talk to everyone on board together, as a team. Because you’re right—the passengers are looking at me like I’m the enemy. You’ll make them feel more comfortable while I check in and evaluate their concerns. Is that okay?

Fine by me, boss, Laura said with a hint of that delightful smirk he’d found himself so drawn to after yesterday’s landing.

Charlie moved the curtain aside. After you, miss.

Thank you, sir.

She brushed past him, the heat of her like a boost to his system. He felt replenished, and they headed out into the first section and began talking to the passengers, who were a touch more receptive now that Charlie had Laura by his side.

Who’s this little lady? Laura knelt in the aisle next to a small girl who couldn’t have been older than five Hey, sweetie.

The girl’s mother’s voice wavered as she said, Isabelle.

And how’re we holding up, Isabelle?

Isabelle shrugged shyly. I don’t know.

Well, how’s your Mommy doing? Laura asked.

The girl looked at her mother, then back at Laura. She keeps telling me to stop squirming.

Laura chuckled. Is that right, Mommy?

Andrea, the woman said, a hint of amusement cracking through her obvious anxiety. And yes, I keep telling her that fidgeting and yelling won’t get us off this runway any faster.

We want to know what we can do to help, Andrea, Charlie said. From this side of the curtain, the sound of upset children was already plucking on his nerves. Something about the way kids openly expressed their fear in a way adults tried to hide or let loose in violent outbursts was… daunting. A bratty rich kid or person looking for a fight, he could handle in his sleep; the misery of children, however, felt so much more real.

Laura didn’t seem to have any such reservations, though, as she talked quietly with Isabelle until the girl was actually laughing.

Andrea watched them with a half-smile. It’s the boredom, more than anything. When she gets bored, she gets unruly.

Do you like books, Isabella? Laura asked.

The girl smiled. Yeah.

Laura stood up. You stay right there, nice and quiet, and I’ll see what I can find.

Charlie raised an eyebrow at her, and she gestured for him to follow her back to first class as he inquired, You ever considered a career as a flight attendant?

Laura snorted. After this experience? Absolutely not.

She reached up to the overhead cabin, stretching to unhook the door.

Let me. Charlie had a foot of height on her, and he considered himself a gentleman even in these trying times. He located her carry-on and tugged on it, the thing falling into his arms with a heavy thud. Jesus, what do you have in this thing? Rocks?

As much stuff as I could squeeze in there for my sister’s new baby. Including a dozen books that we can hand out to the parents.

She unzipped the bag, and Charlie about had a heart attack. He knelt down beside her and whispered, Is that… is that baby formula?

Yeah. Laura looked at him, her eyes widening. What’s wrong?

He picked up the bag and ushered Laura back into the galley. Baby formula is prohibited for transportation in China.

No. Laura shook her head. I checked with the airport and they said it was fine.

"Hong Kong is a British Crown Colony—it is fine there. Communist China, not so much."

As he spoke, Laura’s face twisted with dawning horror. You said the army would look for illegal goods so they could impound the plane.

Charlie nodded, already thinking about where the hell they could stash the stuff. It wouldn’t matter, though; officials would search everywhere. A large bag like Laura’s would be a prime target but if they tried to hide it, she would forfeit her ability to claim ignorance of the law—if that defense even worked in the first place, which was just more bad odds.

It was the first time he’d felt real, tangible fear since the shock of machine guns pointed at them had worn off. For all Martin’s pessimism, Charlie had remained quite hopeful about their chances of taking off within the next few days. People were fundamentally reasonable, he believed, including the State Department in their efforts to free them and the Chinese officials once their fears were alleviated.

Now, though…

And how many more passengers had similar things in their carry-ons? Half the plane could be filled with now-illegal items, and he hadn’t even considered it!

I’ll say I didn’t know, Laura said desperately. I’ll go up to the first Chinese official who boards and just admit it right away, try to explain the mistake.

They’ll jail you, he said flatly. Minimum mandatory penalty of six months.

Oh, God.

The flight crew too, he went on helplessly, as if the unraveling dismay couldn’t stop itself from falling from his mouth. For assisting in the smuggling attempt.

Laura reached out and gripped his wrist. It shook him from his stupor, the sensation of warm fingers curling around his skin, and he looked at her as she began to tremble, as she told him earnestly, I didn’t know.

Cascading failures.

Huh?

Charlie turned his hand to break her grip and then taking her hand in his own to hold firmly. When one little thing goes wrong and an unpredictable domino effect begins which screws everything else up.

Laura looked down to where they touched. Sounds about right.

It’s not your fault, Laura, he told her. And I’m going to find a way to hide this.

No, she protested. If you do that, you’ll be the one in trouble.

But I have better protection than you do, he explained. He wasn’t sure that would hold true; despite being a pilot, he didn’t think the Chinese would go any easier on him. But Laura was visibly shaking, guilt written all over her face, and he had to do something. I’m not arguing about this.

Well, I am!

Laura, I’m doing this, okay? He gripped her other hand, looking into her scared eyes with what he hoped was enough conviction to override her obvious selflessness. Trust me.

Slowly, he felt her fingers tighten around his. I do.

Charlie couldn’t quite explain the ripple that sent up his spine. They barely knew each other, and here she was telling him she trusted him. Here he was trusting her in return.

He left the galley, going to fetch his own flight bag. He returned and started to pack the formula into it, zipping it up while Laura stared down at him with an unreadable expression.

Are you okay? he asked her.

Thank you, she breathed. I don’t know what—just—you’re just… thank you.

Charlie stood. It’s my job to protect you.

Laura bit her lower lip, worrying it between her teeth. Protect me, huh?

That sounded… exactly like it had felt in his head. Charlie chuckled sheepishly, running a hand through his hair. General you. Everyone on this flight.

Of course, Laura said, smiling slightly.

That smile lingered in Charlie’s mind as he went to stash his bag. The fear was as sharp as ever, but somehow… it was worth it.

CHAPTER THREE

Open the doors! Now!

We can’t, ma’am, Charlie tried to explain to the woman in the 27th row. I’ve tried to explain—

I’d rather take our chances out there than stay in here another minute!

Laura stood at Charlie’s side, Isabelle clinging to her like a spider monkey, the voices of passengers ringing around the cabin. Row 27 wanted to leave, surrender to the Chinese, and hope for the best. There were others who wanted to join them, but Laura could no longer keep track of who was where. The yelling was frightening the children, and the frightened children were frustrating the passengers, and everything was just a mess.

Izzy, honey, Laura said to Isabelle softly. Can I take you back to your mom for a little while?

She looked at Laura with those mournful dark eyes. I wanna stay with you.

Isabelle was a sensitive little thing, with the reading comprehension of a child much older than herself. Andrea was struggling with her, exhausted herself and suffering terrible migraines on top, and Laura had been happy to lend a hand since Izzy had taken such an immediate liking to her.

But things were becoming dangerous.

Anna had recruited a dozen passengers to try and calm things, and she, her merry band, and the flight crew were threaded through the aisles trying their hardest to cool the anger coming to a boil. Food was getting scarce, the machine guns pointing at their plane seemed deadlier by the day, and conditions on board the flight were becoming almost intolerable.

Laura couldn’t blame them for wanting to leave. It seemed inevitable that either the Chinese soldiers came in, or the passengers went out. Either way, they would end up face to face, and there was a general sense that there might be more leniency should the plane surrender first. Nobody but she and Charlie knew about the illegal goods on board, though.

Charlie was still convinced the State Department would come through for them, and her fierce trust in this almost-stranger who had inexplicably put his own safety on the line for her was one of the few things keeping her going.

That and thoughts of her family, who were probably watching all this unfold on the news. She couldn’t force them to watch her get arrested, too.

I have an idea, Laura told Isabelle. She touched Charlie on the shoulder, distracting him from his argument, and he turned to her, his expression immediately softening. I’m going to take Isabelle and Andrea to first class. Maybe take a few of the others, too.

Charlie dipped his head, a half-smile that was becoming so achingly familiar to her quirking the corner of his mouth. 3D isn’t going to like that.

Laura leaned up, mouth brushing his ear. 3D can shove it up his—

Charlie laughed, looking pointedly at the kid in her arms. Language.

—Gucci hold all, Laura finished with a smirk.

Be careful, Charlie told her—again. Every time she left his sight, he told her be careful or stay safe. Since approaching her for help yesterday, they’d barely been apart for more than an hour at a time but even when they were, she felt his worried eyes on her across the plane.

She carried Izzy back to her mom and got them both to first class, giving them her and Anna’s abandoned seats, with Andrea so grateful she started to cry.

The past forty-eight hours had ground everyone down to a kind of raw state. Frayed nerves and dwindling supplies and guns… it was quite a cocktail. Each passenger had their own way of reacting, their own straw that broke the camel’s back. One lost their mind at being given an already opened bottle of water. Another started crying hysterically when told there was no more salad. It made it difficult to switch off, and Laura found herself on a constant knife-edge without any sort of respite.

She had started measuring time in the creases in Charlie’s once-crisp white shirt and the strange sparkles that filled her vision whenever she moved too fast.

As she entered the galley, she almost collided headfirst into Anna.