Page 12 of Mile High Ruin

“I became tiresome twenty years ago. You have only just noticed because the flight attendant is not here to distract you.”

I lean back in my seat and study him. Marek’s amusement doesn’t falter, but his eyes sharpen slightly. He knows there’s a limit.

He also knows I’m unlikely to kill him at thirty thousand feet over the Atlantic because the cleaning costs would be excessive.

“She is not distracting me,” I say.

“Then you dislike her.”

“Yes.”

“Strongly?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” His expression suggests the opposite.

I return to the contract.

The truth is that I do dislike her. I dislike the way she looked at me after I corrected her. I dislike the careful politeness she uses as a weapon. I dislike that she didn’t lower her eyes when I spoke to her, and I dislike that I noticed.

Most people react to me before I say a word. They know who I am or understand enough from the men around me to be cautious. They become nervous, eager, or silent.

Sloane Mercer became annoyed.

It should have been an insult. Instead, I keep remembering the dry edge in her voice when she informed me that the aircraft was safe from her handbag.

The corner of my mouth almost moved. That irritates me most of all.

The galley curtain opens, and I look up immediately.

Camille emerges carrying a tray. Not Sloane. The disappointment is so immediate that I resent her for causing it, despite the fact that she is not present.

Camille serves coffee to Anton and replaces Marek’s untouched water. She asks whether I require anything.

“No.”

Her eyes flick briefly toward my glass. I’ve not touched it.

“Dinner will be served in forty minutes,” she says.

“Where is the other attendant?” The question leaves my mouth before I decide to ask it.

Camille pauses.

Across from me, Marek goes completely still with the effort of not laughing.

“She is completing the inventory in the rear galley, sir.”

“For nearly an hour?”

Camille’s face remains professionally blank. “She is also reviewing the service notes. This is her first flight aboard this aircraft.”

“I’m aware.”

“Would you like me to call her?”

“No.” The answer comes too quickly.