Not the exposed midriff.
Not the handbag.
Her.
The radio continued:
“She owns the aircraft.”
Collins's face drained.
“Sterling Aerospace confirms executive departure authority.”
Another burst of static.
“And Sentinel command has been notified. Release her immediately.”
Amara looked down at his hand.
“Last chance.”
Collins released her as though burned.
He stepped backward.
No one spoke.
Amara rubbed her upper arm once.
Not because she was injured.
Because his hand had been there.
Collins opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Amara looked at him.
“You were very loud a minute ago.”
“Ms. Sterling—”
“No.”
He stopped.
She turned toward Nina.
“Are you okay?”
Nina looked stunned.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“I’m fine.”
“Good.”
Amara looked toward the mechanic.
“Departure status?”
He blinked.
“Aircraft is ready, ma’am.”
“Amara.”
“Right.”
He swallowed.
“Aircraft is ready.”
“Thank you.”
Collins stepped forward.
“Ms. Sterling, I sincerely apologize.”
Amara looked at him.
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
“Which part?”
He hesitated.
She waited.
“For blocking you.”
Amara's expression cooled.
“Try again.”
“For touching you.”
“And?”
Collins looked around.
Witnesses everywhere.
Humiliation settled over him now.
He swallowed.
“For assuming you weren't authorized.”
“Why did you assume that?”
He looked at her outfit.
Then immediately realized the mistake.
Amara saw.
“Say it.”
“Ms. Sterling—”
“Say it.”
He stared at the ground.
“You didn't look like the passenger I was expecting.”
Amara stepped closer.
“What did the passenger you were expecting look like?”
Collins said nothing.
She waited.
Nina watched.
The mechanic watched.
The driver.
The suited employees.
Everyone.
Finally Collins whispered:
“A man.”
Amara raised one eyebrow.
“Anything else?”
His face reddened.
“Older.”
“And?”
He could not say it.
Amara could have.
She did not.
That mattered.
“Go finish the sentence with your supervisor.”
She turned toward the jet.
Collins said quickly:
“Am I fired?”
Amara stopped.
Looked back.
He appeared almost frightened now.
Not of her.
Of unemployment.
Interesting.
“You're suspended from this ramp effective immediately.”
His face fell.
“Pending independent review.”
He swallowed.
Amara continued.
“I don't decide disciplinary investigations five minutes after somebody makes me angry.”
Collins looked surprised.
“You should be grateful for that.”
Then she boarded.
Nina followed.
Inside, the cabin smelled faintly of new leather and coffee.
Amara placed her handbag on a seat.
Her chief of staff, Marcus Reed, emerged from the rear cabin.
He was forty-two, Black, broad-shouldered, and usually impossible to surprise.
Today he looked close.
“What the hell happened?”
Amara stared.
“You were inside?”
“I was on a satellite call.”
“You didn't hear anything?”
“These walls cost sixty-five million dollars to prevent exactly that.”
Amara almost laughed.
Marcus looked through the window.
Collins remained on the tarmac speaking to another security officer.
“What did he do?”
“Grabbed me.”
Marcus's expression changed instantly.
“Where?”
“Arm.”
“I mean where is he?”
Amara looked at him.
“Marcus.”
“No.”
She smiled faintly.
“There it is.”
“He put his hands on you?”
“Yes.”
“And we're leaving?”
“Yes.”
Marcus stared.
“You are infuriating.”
“I’ve been told.”
He looked toward the cabin door.
Amara blocked his path.
“No.”
“I just want to talk.”
“You are six foot four and currently look like you want to fold him into a suitcase.”
Marcus considered.
“Fair.”
“Sit.”
He sat.
Amara did too.
Nina entered carefully.
“Ms. Sterling?”
“Amara.”
Nina looked uncomfortable.
“Operations asked whether you want Mr. Collins removed from property before departure.”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
Nina hesitated.
Amara looked up.
“What?”
The flight attendant twisted her hands together.
“I’m sorry I didn't intervene sooner.”
Amara studied her.
“You intervened before you knew who I was.”
Nina nodded.
“That is precisely why I'm not upset with you.”
The younger woman blinked.
Amara continued.
“You told him to release me.”
“Yes.”
“You challenged him when he told you to stay out of it.”
“Yes.”
“That matters.”
Nina breathed out.
“Thank you.”
Then:
“I should have called my supervisor sooner.”
“Maybe.”
Nina looked surprised.
Amara continued.
“We'll examine process later.”
“Today I'm more interested in why Collins believed your role was irrelevant the moment he decided he was right.”
Nina looked toward the cabin door.
“He does that.”
Amara went still.
Marcus heard too.
“How often?”
Nina immediately looked worried.
Amara noticed.
“Your answer will not be used against you.”
Nina remained silent.