And then Maya saw seat 8.
Leo was awake.
He was rubbing his eyes beneath the blanket.
Beside him sat a man Maya had not noticed before.
Forties.
Gray jacket.
Calm face.
His hands rested loosely on his knees.
Too loosely.
The middle-aged woman Maya had spoken to earlier was now standing in the aisle several rows behind him, looking confused.
Maya stopped.
“Mom?”
Leo smiled sleepily.
The stranger turned.
His eyes met Maya’s.
Recognition flashed across his face.
Not surprise.
Recognition.
Maya’s entire body went cold.
“Move away from my son.”
The man did not move.
“Maya—”
She crossed the distance between them in two steps.
“I said move.”
Nearby passengers began waking.
The man lifted both hands.
“My name is Aaron Vale.”
“I don’t care.”
“You should.”
Leo looked from the stranger to his mother.
“Mom, what’s happening?”
Maya softened her voice without taking her eyes off Aaron.
