Chapter 10 - RUNNING TOWARD THE PLANEWind from the cargo plane’s engines tore across the runway.
Maya ran through it.
Her hair whipped across her face.
Her shoes slipped on the wet pavement.
Marcus shouted for her to stop.
She did not hear him.
The loading ramp was still partially open.
Gerald stood inside the aircraft.
Leah’s stretcher had not been secured.
Victoria appeared behind it.
She saw Maya approaching.
For one moment, the two women stared at each other across the runway.
The abandoned orphan.
The dynasty matriarch.
The lost heir.
The woman who had stolen her childhood.
Victoria reached for the ramp controls.
Maya ran faster.
Ethan’s vehicle entered from the opposite gate.
Agent Ortiz ordered the driver to block the plane’s path.
The armored vehicle swerved in front of the aircraft.
Gerald turned sharply.
The cargo plane nearly struck the vehicle.
Its left wheel left the pavement.
The loading ramp slammed against the ground.
Leah’s stretcher rolled backward.
Maya reached the edge of the ramp and caught it.
The force dragged her several feet across the pavement.
Her hands burned against the metal frame.
Leah’s eyes opened.
She looked directly at Maya.
“Millie?”
The childhood name stopped time.
Maya tightened her grip.
“I’m here.”
Victoria kicked the stretcher.
“Let go.”
Maya looked up at her.
“You kept her alive for twenty-four years because she knew what you did.”
“I kept her alive because your father hid something I needed.”
“What?”
“The controlling authorization for the Vaughn Trust.”
Victoria reached for the medal around Maya’s neck.
Maya moved aside.
Victoria lost her balance.
She caught the edge of the ramp.
Gerald grabbed Maya from behind.
Marcus reached the plane and struck Gerald with the metal handle of an emergency barrier.
Gerald released Maya.
Agent Ortiz climbed onto the ramp with her weapon raised.
“Everyone down.”
Dr. Keller dropped to his knees.
Gerald reached for his gun.
Ethan appeared beside the aircraft.
“Gerald, don’t.”
Gerald turned and fired.
Ethan pushed Maya aside.
The bullet struck him below the ribs.
He collapsed against the ramp.
Maya screamed his name.
Ortiz fired once.
Gerald fell inside the aircraft.
The engines continued roaring.
Victoria crawled toward the cockpit.
Marcus pulled Leah’s stretcher down the ramp.
Maya knelt beside Ethan.
Blood spread beneath his hand.
He looked at her.
“Is your mother safe?”
“You were shot.”
“Is she safe?”
“Yes.”
Relief passed over his face.
“Good.”
Maya pressed both hands against his wound.
“You do not get to die and turn yourself into a hero.”
A weak laugh escaped him.
“I never was one.”
“Then stay alive and answer for what you did.”
“I’ll try.”
Victoria reached the cockpit.
Before she could lock the door, Eleanor Vaughn’s voice came through the aircraft radio.
“Victoria.”
The matriarch stopped.
Eleanor had arrived with the second security convoy.
She stood outside the plane holding Noah.
For twenty-four years, Victoria had controlled every room she entered.
Now she was surrounded by the family she had tried to erase.
Eleanor looked toward the cockpit window.
“You stole my brother.”
“You stole my niece.”
“You imprisoned Leah.”
“And you turned your own son into a coward.”
Victoria’s hand moved toward the flight controls.
Eleanor’s voice hardened.
“If you move that plane, you will kill Ethan.”
Victoria looked down.
Her wounded son lay beside the rear wheel.
The aircraft could not move without crushing him.
For the first time, Victoria had to choose between escape and her child.
She hesitated.
May you like
Only for a second.
Then she pushed the throttle forward.
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