Lynell pushes her mouth into a thin line. She feels the truth of his words and each syllable like a needle in her skin. She doesn’t want to agree with him. She doesn’t want to think that one day she may trust Price or give him anything he wants.

“He’ll kill you. And if there’s anyone you love, he’ll kill them too. But we’ve been watching you for a year now. A sad life. No husband. No kids. No family. At least, none that you love.” The man leans forward, his smile widening. “Your mother, once. But she’s gone. Daddy’s gone. Alan is still here, isn’t he?” He tilts his head. “You’d want us to kill him, though. So, I think we won’t. I think we’ll let that bastard roam free. Marry new women and have more stepdaughters to—” he suddenly stops talking and at first Lynell thinks her anger took over and she’d punched him like she desperately wanted to.

Then she sees Price’s arms around the man’s neck, his eyes bulging. The man is turned at an awkward angle, so his head is almost in Price’s lap. The move was quiet and none of the passengers are looking yet, but they’re bound to take notice soon.

“You talk too much, Markus,” Price says. “It’s going to get you Registered one day.”

Markus struggles in Price’s grip and his face starts to turn purple.

“Didn’t he tell you not to Register Lynell? You won’t win and you’re just in the way. You’re not a Researcher, Markus. You never will be. Poor thing, you’re just a nuisance allowed to stick around because my father says so.” Price leans closer to Markus and whispers in his ear. “If you so much as look in Lynell’s direction again, I will rip you apart. You’ll never even get a taste of the reward.” Price sits up, and Lynell thinks if he doesn’t let go of Markus soon, he’ll pass out. “I’m going to let go in five seconds. Return to your seat, face forward, and when the plane lands, go home and forget any of this happened. Okay?”

With limited movement, Markus gives a weak nod.

“Good.” Price lets go, and Markus takes a deep breath that pulls a few eyes toward them. He holds onto his neck for a moment, still sucking air in, as if Price is going to cut his oxygen off again. He glares at Price and Lynell one more time, then returns to his seat, looking straight ahead.

“Next time, wake me up,” Price says, his voice like a growl.

“Sorry . . .” she mutters, wanting to ask him a million questions but sensing that now is definitely not the time.

“It’s fine.” Price is steadily looking at his hands in his lap and his voice seems exhausted. The plane shakes with turbulence and Lynell grasps the arms of her seat.

He’ll kill you. And anyone she may love, Markus said. She can’t help but think of Daniel.