Untouchable (The Blankenships Book 8) Read Free Page A

everyone to move their seat backs to the upright position and fasten their seatbelts. Alex gave Zoey’s hand a long, tight squeeze and then went back to Leo, gently waking him. She wondered why the flight attendants didn’t do it until she saw the way the big man went from peaceful stillness to rapid movement before his eyes were even open. His hand darted down towards the small of his back before he seemed to realize it was Alex leaning over him. She shivered. How many times did you have to be woken with violence before you were reaching for weapons in your sleep?
     
    Maybe a lot. Maybe just once. It would probably come down to what happened next.
     
    Alex, for his part, didn’t flinch at all. The look they shared as awareness filtered into Leo’s eyes was something special. He’d never looked at her like that; she’d never even seen him look at Claire with that level of awareness and dedication. It wasn’t a sexual exchange; it was two men who knew each other inside and out and who had shared so much that they were closer than brothers.
     
    For the first time in days, she felt something close to rested.
     
    The plane landed without incident, and as they waited on the tarmac for refueling, the flight attendants brought them breakfast and coffee. It was nothing like Sophia’s delicious brew, but it was better than what she’d expected to get on a plane, without question.
     
    The daylight was dying here, but they’d been flying away from the sun, and she was completely confused about what time it was. “Is it safe to make a phone call,” she asked, interrupting Leo and Alex who had been deep in conversation. About what, she hadn’t been paying any attention. The men exchanged a glance, and she was strongly tempted to roll her eyes. “I’m not an idiot. But Helen needs to know I’m safe. Honestly, if she comes looking for me, and I’m gone, she’ll go to the police herself.”
     
    “You’re putting her in danger by calling,” Leo said.
     
    “I’m putting her in danger by not calling,” she replied. “At least if I call, she’ll know what she’s up against.” Leo and Alex exchanged another glance, and she bit back her temper. Kicking them in the shins would do nothing to make them stop thinking of her as a hysterical woman. “I’m not an idiot,” she said. “I’ve survived this long, mostly on my own wits, and the only reason you—” she jabbed a finger at Alex, “know half of what you know is because of me. Don’t you dare sideline me right now. I’m here because I can help, not just because I’m a liability.” An expression crossed Leo’s face that made her want to scream. “Or I can just get off the plane here and find my own way home.”
     
    Alex was looking at Leo now, his expression gently entertained. “Your move. I trust her, obviously.”
     
    Kicking him was even more tempting. “My actions speak for themselves, you. I don’t need you to vouch for me.”
     
    Leo smiled then, a real smile that made her rage step back just a little bit. “I’m sorry, Zoey. I am an old fashioned man sometimes, and forget that Alex only surrounds himself with those that are as competent as him.”
     
    “More competent,” Alex said, but his eyes weighted deliciously on Zoey. “She’s right, Leo. She turned up with information that I’d searched for for weeks and found nothing. She’s good. She’s capable of taking care of herself.”
     
    She knew it, but it still felt good to hear him say it. She blew him a little kiss on the air and watched him giggle.
     
    Leo reached into one of the pouches on the seat and pulled out a phone. “It’s a burner. Don’t take long. It’s better if you don’t call a land line.”
     
    Zoey nodded, and after a moment, she took the phone and stepped away from the two of them, towards the back of the passenger cabin. They would still be able to hear her, she imagined, but it felt more private all the same.
     
    She dialed Helen’s number, and