Airports aren’t my favorite places-too many people, too many prying eyes. But today, my focus is on keeping Victoria safe and happy, and making sure we get to Texas without any surprises.
The check-in attendant, Dorothy, offers a polite smile as Victoria hands over her ID.
“Hi, we’d like to check in, please,” she says, her voice friendly but laced with exhaustion.
Dorothy nods as she types into her computer. “Ah, traveling to Texas.”
She turns to me. “Sir, please place your luggage on the belt.”
I’m just about to comply when I hear a smug, grating voice behind me:
“We’re flying first class, so you should be checking us in first.”
I drop the handle of my suitcase and it tips over and hits the floor, the sound loud and jarring. Slowly, I turn around, already knowing who I’ll find standing there.
Carl, I think with a sneer.
Wearing an overpriced suit that clearly wasn’t tailored to his body, his jagged grin is as arrogant and snide as ever.
Jade’s clinging to his arm, of course, content to play trophy girlfriend, even though she’s far from a prize.
Beside me, Victoria stiffens. Anger flares in the depths of her cerulean eyes as she steps forward. “Hey, we were here first.”
Carl barely spares her a glance, his lip curling. “Well, if it isn’t Victoria. Didn’t we break up? Are you heading home to plan your wedding alone?”
Jade giggles like the glorified hype-woman she is, unable to contain her glee.
The line of my jaw snaps tight as I step in front of Victoria, my stance protective, to glare at Carl. “She’s not alone. We’re engaged now, and I’m her fiancé.”
Jade’s eyes widen as she looks me up and down. Evidently, she’s noticing me for the first time, the interested gleam in her eye immediately shifts from Carl to me.
“Wow, where’d you find this hottie?” she practically purrs, batting her lashes as if she’s caught in a windstorm. “Hi there, Handsome.”
Not interested.
Carl scowls, his irritation evident. “Jade, I’m literally standing right here.”
Returning his attention to me, he crosses his arms and puts on a tough front I guarantee he can’t back up.
“Hey, man, you know she’s my ex, right? Do you enjoy picking up other people’s trash?”
I don’t think, I act.
My hand shoots forward, grabbing him by the collar and yanking him closer, my voice dropping dangerously low. “Apologize to her, or you’ll regret it.”
Carl titters, apparently thinking I won’t follow through. “Nah. What are you going to do about it?”
My fist connects with his face before he can blink. The impact sends him stumbling backward, clutching his nose as his ass hits the hard tile floor.
Jade gasps, rushing to crouch beside him.
“Carl!” she shrieks, helping him sit up.
His eyes blaze with fury as he looks to the gate agent. “Hey, lady, are you blind? Did you not see what just happened? I’ve been assaulted. Call security.”
With a reluctant sigh, she presses a button on her desk. Within moments, two security guards and a man in a sleek suit I’d guess to be the airport manager approach.
Carl points an accusatory finger at me. “It’s him, he attacked me. Throw him out of the airport and ban him from ever flying with Jones Airlines! I’m a VIP customer; I demand you do as I say.”
The airport manager-I spot a badge that identifies him as Henry-looks like he’s tired of dealing with Carl already, and I can hardly blame him.
I do a quick check on Victoria, ensuring she’s okay. Then I turn to Henry as he pivots to face me.
His eyes widen in instant recognition.
“Mr. Jo-” he starts, beginning to bow before I subtly shake my head and lift a finger to my lips.
Henry immediately straightens, composing himself and then turning back to Carl, his expression pacifying. “Sir, you’ve disrupted airport operations. We’re gonna have to kindly ask you to leave.”
Carl’s face scrunches up like a toddler about to throw a tantrum. “What? He’s the one who attacked me. You’ve got it all wrong.”
Dorothy crosses her arms, her head shaking in protest. “I saw everything. He started the whole thing.”
Jade jerks a pointed finger toward Dorthy, face blazing red. “You lying bitch, that’s not what happened!”
Henry doesn’t even acknowledge her outburst. Deadly calm, he asks, “Are you with this gentleman?”
Jade lifts her chin, entitlement oozing from every pore. “Yes, and we’re your VIP clients?-“
Henry signals to the security guards, not bothering to let her finish. “Escort both of them out.”
Carl yells in protest as the guards take hold of his arms. “You can’t do this! I’ll sue you!”
Victoria and I watch as Carl and Jade are dragged out of the airport, still ranting and raving.
Peace returns the instant they’re gone, the din of other travelers downright pleasant after dealing with that awful pair.
Henry turns back to us, his expression accommodating. “Looks like we just freed up two first-class seats. Why don’t you two take them?”
Victoria blinks, her mouth falling open. “Wait, what?”
With a grimace, she adds, “But we can’t afford first-class tickets…”
Henry waves off her concern, his voice soothing as he kindly says to her, “Don’t worry about it. We’re upgrading you for free, as compensation for earlier events.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.