Chapter 21. Ticking Time Bomb

Elena’s POV

I stood frozen in the aisle, watching the ground shrink beneath us as the plane climbed. This is a trap. This has to be a trap. The thought circled my mind like a vulture, but there was nothing I could do now. We were airborne.

Mark stood near the cockpit, arms crossed, his expression carved from thunderclouds. The moment our eyes met, the air between us crackled with barely suppressed hostility.

He didn’t speak to me. Instead, he pulled Bella aside, his voice dropping to something low and furious—but not low enough.

“What the hell is she doing here? I thought this trip was supposed to be private.”

Bella’s arms crossed her chest, matching his stance with practiced ease. “Elena is my friend. I wanted her here.”

“Your friend?” He practically spat the word. “Since when?”

“Since I decided she was.” Bella’s voice sharpened. “And honestly, Mark, this way you don’t have to pretend to enjoy shopping and spas. You hate that stuff.