Thirty Thousand Feet

Chapter 5

Airports always make me nervous.

Too many people. Too much noise. Too many places someone could disappear to.

As I walked through the large glass doors of the departure terminal, I couldn’t stop thinking about the last time someone I loved had disappeared.

Donn Montefalco.

The man who left me at the altar.

The man whose older brother was currently walking beside me like an intimidating shadow.

Sebastian Montefalco moved through the airport with quiet authority. People stepped aside without him saying a word, as if they could sense the power in his presence.

Meanwhile, I struggled just to keep up with his long strides.

“You walk fast,” I muttered.

He glanced at me briefly.

“You walk slow.”

“That’s because I’m carrying my luggage.”

“You insisted on bringing it.”

I sighed.

Traveling with Sebastian Montefalco was already exhausting.

We reached the private check-in counter for business class, and within minutes we were heading toward the boarding gate.

I noticed the curious looks from people around us.

Some women were openly staring at Sebastian.

I couldn’t blame them.

Tall.

Sharp suit.

Dark, controlled energy.

He looked like someone who belonged on the cover of a magazine.

Unfortunately, he also looked like someone who could freeze water with a single glance.

Once we reached the boarding area, I sat down while Sebastian remained standing, scrolling through his phone.

Neither of us spoke.

After a moment, curiosity got the better of me.

“Do you travel a lot?” I asked.

“Yes.”

Short answer.

Of course.

“Do you always bring new employees with you on international trips?”

“No.”

That answer made me frown slightly.

“Then why me?”

He finally looked up from his phone.

His eyes were calm, but thoughtful.

“I told you already.”

“To test me.”

“Yes.”

I wasn’t convinced.

But before I could ask anything else, boarding was announced.

A few minutes later, we were seated on the plane.

And unfortunately, the airline had placed us right next to each other.

Perfect.

I fastened my seatbelt and stared out the window while passengers continued boarding.

Sebastian opened his laptop beside me.

For several minutes, the only sound between us was the quiet tapping of his keyboard.

Finally, I broke the silence.

“Can I ask you something?”

“You just did.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

“About Donn.”

His typing stopped instantly.

The tension between us shifted.

He slowly closed his laptop.

“What about him?”

“You said he left the country.”

“Yes.”

“Where did he go?”

Sebastian watched me carefully.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“No.”

That surprised me.

“You’re his brother.”

“And he didn’t tell me.”

The plane began to move along the runway.

A flight attendant walked past, giving us instructions.

But my attention remained on Sebastian.

“When was the last time you spoke to him?” I asked quietly.

“Three days before your wedding.”

My chest tightened.

“What did he say?”

Sebastian leaned back slightly in his seat.

“He said he was certain about marrying you.”

The words hit me like a sudden wave.

“He sounded happy,” Sebastian continued.

“So you can imagine my confusion when he disappeared.”

I looked down at my hands.

“I didn’t make him leave.”

“I’m aware that’s your version of the story.”

“It’s the truth.”

The plane began accelerating.

A moment later, it lifted into the sky.

For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.

Then Sebastian said something that made my heart skip.

“You received a message from him.”

I looked at him sharply.

“How do you know that?”

“Because his phone records show it.”

My stomach dropped.

“You checked his phone records?”

“Yes.”

That sounded extremely illegal.

“What did the message say?” he asked quietly.

I hesitated.

But something in his expression told me he already knew.

“He said he was sorry,” I admitted.

“And?”

“That he couldn’t do it.”

Sebastian studied my face.

“That was all?”

“Yes.”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“That doesn’t sound like my brother.”

“What does that mean?”

“He doesn’t quit things.”

I let out a small laugh.

“Well… apparently he does.”

But Sebastian didn’t smile.

Instead, he leaned slightly closer.

“Did he ever tell you about his problems?”

“What problems?”

“Financial.”

My head snapped toward him.

“No.”

Sebastian’s expression darkened.

“Interesting.”

“What?”

“He owed someone a significant amount of money.”

The words sent a chill down my spine.

“What kind of money?”

“A dangerous kind.”

My heart began to beat faster.

“Are you saying someone threatened him?”

“I’m saying,” Sebastian replied calmly, “that people disappear for many reasons.”

The plane continued climbing higher into the clouds.

But suddenly the cabin felt colder.

“What are you trying to say?” I asked.

Sebastian held my gaze.

“I’m trying to figure out if my brother ran away.”

“Or if someone made him disappear.”

A chill ran down my spine.

And for the first time since Donn vanished…

A terrifying thought crossed my mind.

What if he didn’t leave willingly?

What if something had actually happened to him?

And if that was true…

Why was Sebastian watching me like I might know the answer?