“I assume you’ve filed the flight plan?” Matt asked, watching Andy battle with his seat belt like it had personally offended him.
“Of course, sir.” Davidson’s poker face didn’t twitch. “Though I should mention Mr. Maxwell called. Three times. In the last ten minutes.”
“Only three? He must be distracted.” Matt moved to help Andy, who was now somehow tangled in not just his own seat belt, but the one from the adjacent seat as well. Even Bruno’s stoic expression cracked slightly at the sight. “Pup, how did you even?—”
“Don’t ask,” Andy muttered, face flushed. “Just fix it.”
Matt efficiently untangled him, pressing a kiss to his temple before buckling him in properly. “Try not to get into a fight with any more aircraft safety equipment while I make a call.”
Eddie stepped forward. “I’ll handle the arrangements on the ground, sir. Mr. Maxwell’s security team is expecting us.”
“Good.” Matt pulled out his phone, moving toward the front of the cabin. James answered on the first ring.
“Where the hell are you?” James’ voice crackled with barely contained fury.
“Hello to you too, sunshine. We’re about to take off.” Matt caught Eddie’s eye, receiving a confirming nod that everything was secure.
“Good. I have updates.” James’ voice was tight enough to snap. “Tell Andy… tell him she’s smart. She left us breadcrumbs.”
Matt glanced at Andy, who was now attempting to peer out the window and check his phone simultaneously, while Bruno stoically pretended not to notice his charge’s fidgeting. “That’s our girl. We’ll be airborne in ten minutes, landing in under an hour.”
“Make it faster.”
“James, even with a private jet, I can’t break the sound barrier?—”
“Try, Matt.”
Matt pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ll talk to Davidson. Try not to terrorize all of LA before we get there.”
“Just get here,” James bit out.
Eddie approached as Matt ended the call. “Sir, I’ve arranged for additional security to meet us at LAX. Mr. Maxwell’s teams are already in position.”
“Good.” Matt returned to his seat beside Andy, noting how Bruno had shifted slightly closer to them during the takeoff sequence. Tyrone remained by the door, his attention never wavering.
“What did James say?” Andy asked immediately, his fingers twisting in his lap.
“That your sister is leaving us a trail,” Matt caught one of Andy’s hands, stilling its nervous movement. “And that he’s terrorizing half of California trying to find her.”
“Only half?” Andy’s attempt at humor was shaky but present.
“He’s saving the other half for when we land.”
The jet rumbled to life, its engines drowning out Andy’s restless fidgeting.
“You know,” Matt observed, “the seat will still be there even if you don’t try to merge with it.”
“I hate flying,” Andy muttered through clenched teeth.
“Since when?”
“Since my sister got kidnapped and every second we spend in the air is another second we’re not finding her.”
Matt covered Andy’s hand with his own, gently prying his fingers from their death grip on the leather. He stroked his thumb over Andy’s pulse point, feeling it race. From the corner of his eye, he caught Eddie discreetly checking his phone—likely receiving updates from James’ security team.
“I just…” Andy leaned into Matt’s shoulder, tension thrumming through him. “I can’t lose her, Matt. After everything with our parents…”
“Hey.” Matt tilted Andy’s chin up, meeting those worried eyes. “You’re not losing anyone. You’re gaining a small army of very motivated people who are excellent at making problems disappear.”
