Stone In Love

Chapter 17

"I'm here to escort you to DC." Vincent addressed me with calm reserve, but his eyes were pegged on Charles, who didn't appear at all intimidated by Vincent's looming presence. "I wondered if you might do me a favor and trade seats with me. Mine has extra leg room."

Charles straightened his shoulders as he met Vincent's stormy gaze. "I'm good. I've got this superstition that I need to sit in an even numbered seat next to the aisle."

"You're in luck. I'm sitting in row two in an aisle seat."

With very little hesitation, Charles continued. "Oh, I forgot to mention. My superstition requires that a beautiful woman sit in the window seat next to me."

Clouds formed behind Vincent's eyes, making them look significantly more stormy. "Excuse me. That's my girlfriend you're talking about."

I raised my eyebrows, but Vincent wasn't sparing me a glance. He was busy boring holes into Charles's head.

"Pardon my ignorance," Charles said. "But it appears this woman is surprised to see you, which makes me wonder if there should be an ex in front of girlfriend."

Charles turned to look at me, and I suddenly felt like I was under the scrutiny of the camera lens. I had always preferred to be behind the camera, not in front of it, and I definitely didn't want to trigger a reality show scene at thirty thousand feet.

"Actually, there should be a The jury is still out sign in front of girlfriend, but since Vincent went through the trouble of getting himself on board a packed flight, I should give him an opportunity to say his piece."

Vincent pulled out his wallet and flashed two one hundred dollar bills in front of Charles. "I'll make it worth your while."

Charles shook his head as he pushed Vincent's money away. "Don't bother. Just do me a favor and don't be an asshole to her. She deserves better." Charles winked at me, which didn't come across as skeevy since it was accompanied by that boyish smile. I thanked him as he yanked his backpack out from under the seat and brushed past Vincent, making for the front of the plane. When Vincent took Charles's seat, a heavy fog descended with him.

"You really are a nut job," I said as I faced Vincent head-on. "I hope you don't think you're impressing me by showing up on an overbooked flight."

He leaned in as if he thought we might be heard over the drone of airplane noise. "I'm not trying to impress you. I just want to keep you safe."

"How the hell are you going to keep me safe on an airplane? Are you a licensed pilot?"

"I'm not here because I don't have faith in the pilot, although there are things I can do to make sure you don't go down with the plane. I'm here because you need to know what's going on. It's not all pleasant, but it has to happen before more damage is done."

I shrugged as I watched Charles take his seat several rows up. He caught my eye and nodded, offering the unspoken reassurance that he had my back if Vincent misbehaved. Vincent noticed the exchange and his fingers tightened around my hand. When had he taken my hand?

"Reese, listen to me. I have something important to tell you." Vincent had the look of a desperate man, and I felt obliged to humor him despite the knot forming in my gut, warning me that shit was going south.

"I'm listening, but I should remind you of what happened the last time you divulged unpleasant information to me. I don't think they have showers on board this airplane."

"Ego in pace. Recite that mantra if you feel anxious. It translates to 'I am at peace.'"

"More Latin?"