The Hearer2 / 3

Chapter 2

Behind the security guards came the terminal manager on duty.

A middle-aged man with slicked-back hair and a suit jacket straining over his gut.

The second he spotted Kinsley, his face shifted into professional bootlicking mode.

"Ms. Kinsley! What happened? Who was stupid enough to bother you?"

He jogged over, bobbing his head, fawning. He ignored me completely.

Great. Another man who chooses sides based on the price tag.

Kinsley, basking in the attention, found her footing again.

She shook out her wrist and shot me a sideways glance.

"Gary. Is your airline letting just anyone use the priority lane now? This woman wouldn't move. Then she put her hands on me."

Gary dropped the fawning face instantly. He spun toward me.

"Ma'am. Priority lanes are for people of status. A regular passenger like you needs to get in the back. Stop causing problems."

I narrowed my eyes.

"How do you know I'm not someone important? I suggest you verify with headquarters before you say another word."

"Verify?"

Gary snorted. His eyes crawled over my outfit.

"I've been here for years. I know what matters when I see it. That outfit? You probably don't make enough in a month to cover her hair appointment."

"Ms. Kinsley is a Keller Group executive. If you delay her schedule, can you afford the consequences?"

I let out a short laugh.

"So money and power mean you can steal someone's spot? That's your airline's policy?"

"Enough. Stop making a scene."

Gary rolled his eyes and waved his hand like he was shooing a fly.

"Ms. Kinsley is offering to pay for your lane. That's her being generous. Take the money and walk away. Don't embarrass yourself."

Kinsley waved the cash in front of me, smug.

"You heard him. The manager agrees. Stop fighting it. Take the money. Keep what's left of your dignity."

The two of them, playing off each other. A perfect pair.

I looked at their faces and let out a cold laugh.

"So this is your airline's idea of customer service. I'm truly impressed."

"Customer service? Please."

Kinsley didn't wait for Gary to answer. She stepped forward and jabbed her finger into my shoulder with every word.

"Listen closely. Keller people get top priority everywhere. And when you grabbed me, my watch hit the counter. Limited edition. Fifty thousand dollars in damage. I know you can't pay. But Mr. Keller's legal team will teach you what consequences mean."

Well. That's new.

No one's ever tried to shake me down before.

I smiled and nodded. Her expression flickered with confusion.

"Fine. But you'd better think hard about whether you can hold onto that money."

Kinsley's face darkened. She slammed her hand on the counter.

"Are you threatening me?"

Gary rushed to get between us. But he was clearly aiming his words at me.

"Ma'am. I suggest you apologize and end this. Offending Ms. Kinsley means offending Mr. Keller. You won't have a place left on the East Coast."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? I'd like to see what the Kellers can do to me."

That was the last straw. Kinsley snapped.

She lunged up, arm swinging at my face.