Maya looked outside.
Lightning illuminated the fighter.
White falcon.
Dark fuselage.
Adrian was right.
No visible tail number.
No official markings beyond the falcon.
Captain Reeves spoke.
“I thought you said that symbol belonged to your old squadron.”
“It did.”
“Does that aircraft belong to the United States Air Force?”
Maya waited.
Ethan did not answer.
“Ethan?”
Static.
“Answer me.”
Finally—
“No.”
Maya’s stomach dropped.
“Then whose aircraft are you flying?”
A pause.
“Mine.”
Lucas had ignored instructions.
Of course he had.
Maya found him just outside the cockpit curtain, staring at everyone.
“You lied to me.”
“Lucas—”
“You said everything was okay.”
“I said I needed you to stay with Claire.”
“And you’re standing here with some guy who looks like he belongs in a spy movie while a fighter jet follows us.”
Adrian tilted his head.
“I like him.”
“Don’t,” Maya said.
Lucas noticed the device on Adrian’s wrist.
