Chapter 1

1.

My aunt called while I was in the middle of conditioning drills on base.

"The trust addendum―you have to meet Brecken Keller. If you don't, your share defaults next year."

"Just go through the motions. I already booked your flight."

The day I left, the base security officer reminded me my federal clearance required full encryption on all civilian travel records.

I arrived exactly on time. I was checking in at the priority boarding lane when someone yanked me backward by the shoulder.

A handful of hundred-dollar bills landed on the counter. She didn't even look at me. She just lifted her chin at the agent.

"Tell her I'm taking this spot. She gets the cash. She gets lost."

I wasn't angry. I was just genuinely baffled. I looked her up and down, slow.

"What, you strapped with a bomb? Just saved the planet? No? Then get back where you belong. The line."

She laughed in my face.

"On what grounds? I work for Mr. Keller. His time is worth more than you'll earn in your entire life."

"Forget a boarding lane. The Kellers could take the whole runway if they wanted it."

I stood there for a second. Then I pulled out my phone and dialed the number my aunt gave me for Brecken Keller.

"I heard the Keller family can move heaven and earth. That true?"

The call connected. I got exactly one sentence out.

A robotic voice came through the speaker.

"Hello, I am currently unavailable to take your call."

I did not see that coming.

"Oh, you're putting on a show now? Let me see who you called―"

The woman in front of me snatched my phone the second she heard the recording. She looked at the screen. Her laugh got louder.

"Voicemail? God, you're a terrible liar."

"You can't even get Mr. Keller's private number to ring. Who do you think you're talking to?"

She tossed my phone back at my chest, still grinning, and shoved her boarding pass at the trembling gate agent.

"Check me in now. If you hold up Mr. Keller's business, your entire ground crew is out of a job tomorrow."

The agent's hands were shaking. She looked at me. She looked at Kinsley. Her voice nearly cracked.

"Ms. Kinsley, this passenger's priority access is registered with the FAA. We can't just―"

"Can't?"

Kinsley slammed her palm against the counter.

"You know how much Keller Group pours into your airline every year?"

"You can't handle one simple thing? Want me to call your regional manager right now?"

I watched this woman bully a staff member over her own convenience. My patience snapped.

I grabbed her finger before she could jab it in the agent's face.

"Friend. You know what kind of people use this lane? You're the first person stupid enough to steal my spot."

"Oh, honey!"

She doubled over, clutching her stomach, cackling.

"Cargo pants and you think you're military. Too much fast food rots the brain. Get a new diet."

"And I'm not your friend. I'm Mr. Keller's personal secretary. My circle does not include people who walk around in tactical pants like a costume."

I nearly laughed out loud. All this drama. I thought she was someone important. She's a secretary.

A crowd was gathering now.

Murmurs started drifting toward me.

"Is she insane? Kinsley is Keller's golden girl."

"Last month a TSA agent flagged her bag for inspection. Got transferred to graveyard shift the next day."

So she's a repeat offender. Uses her boss's name like a weapon.

The irony was almost funny. I bled for my clearance. Earned the highest trust this country gives. And now some secretary waving her boss's name around wants to step on me.

I let out a cold breath and hit back.

"If the Kellers are really as powerful as you say, how come they never taught you basic manners?"

Kinsley's face went purple.

"Who are you calling an errand girl? I'll show you manners!"

She swung her bag at my head.

I sidestepped. Caught her wrist. Twisted.

The crack of joints echoed with her scream. Kinsley, who'd been strutting a second ago, was now hopping in place, howling.

"Let go! God, stop!"

"Hurts now?"

I leaned in close to her twisted face.

"Your mouth was working fine a second ago."

She was still gritting her teeth in pain. But I'd already pulled my strength way back. If I actually wanted to hurt her, she wouldn't have time to scream.

The crowd was getting bigger. A few uniformed airport security guards started jogging toward us.

Kinsley used the distraction to yank herself free. She clutched her wrist, breathing hard.

"Keep pretending. When I tell Mr. Keller about this, you'll see what happens."

I crossed my arms and smiled.

"Sure. I'll wait."