UNEXPECTED FLIGHT

*CHAPTER SIX*

**UNEXPECTED FLIGHT**

Clemson led Eleanor toward the sleek, black helicopter, his hand firm yet gentle around hers. The blades above were still, but the faint hum of the engine vibrated through the ground beneath her feet. She paused, her gaze locking onto the massive machine that looked more like something out of a spy movie than a typical ride.

Her steps faltered. “This… this is really yours?”

Clemson smirked, giving her hand a playful tug. “Of course, princess. You don’t think I’d let just anyone fly us to Paris, do you?”

Eleanor’s heart pounded. Part of her wanted to ask him who he really was, why he’d helped her so effortlessly, but the fear still gnawed at her. She had no time to question miracles. She needed to leave—fast.

“Come on,” Clemson urged, lowering his voice so only she could hear. “Trust me. We need to go before someone changes their mind about letting you leave.”

His words sent a shiver down her spine, but she forced herself to move. He helped her climb into the helicopter, and the plush leather seats immediately surrounded her in comfort. Clemson followed, closing the door behind them before signaling to the pilot, who gave a curt nod.

The blades began to spin, and Eleanor’s breath quickened. She pressed herself back into the seat, gripping the armrests as the helicopter lifted off the ground.

Clemson chuckled beside her. “First time?”

She shot him a look, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Is it that obvious?”

“Only a little.” He leaned back casually, completely at ease. “Don’t worry. I’ve done this a million times. You’ll be fine.”

Eleanor tried to relax, but her eyes kept darting toward the windows, scanning the airport below. Every shadow seemed like a threat. Every person looked like someone sent to drag her back. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was still being watched.

“Hey.” Clemson’s voice was softer now, pulling her out of her spiraling thoughts. “You’re safe with me.”

Her head snapped toward him, and for the first time, she noticed something in his eyes—concern. Real, genuine concern. She didn’t know why, but it steadied her.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Clemson grinned. “Anytime, princess.”

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at her lips.

The helicopter climbed higher, the airport shrinking into a patchwork of runways and roads below. Eleanor’s stomach twisted, but she forced herself to focus. She needed to keep moving forward.

“So…” Clemson’s voice broke the silence. “Are you going to tell me why you’re so desperate to get out of here?”

Eleanor froze. Her grip on the armrest tightened. “I… I told you. My mom’s sick.”

Clemson arched an eyebrow. “Right. And I’m a unicorn.”

Her mouth opened, but no words came out.

“Look,” he said, leaning forward. “You don’t have to tell me everything. But you should know I’m not an idiot. You’re scared. Really scared. And whatever you’re running from? It’s big.”

Eleanor swallowed, her throat dry. Could she trust him? She barely knew him, yet he’d stepped in without hesitation, defended her, and whisked her away like some sort of knight in shining armor. But knights didn’t exist. Not in her world.

“Let’s just say…” She hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. “There are people who don’t want me to leave.”

Clemson didn’t push. Instead, he leaned back and crossed his arms, his gaze never leaving her. “Fair enough. But if those people come looking, you should know I don’t scare easily.”

The determination in his voice sent a surprising wave of relief through her. Maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t as alone as she thought.

The helicopter lurched slightly as it leveled off, and Eleanor flinched. Clemson reached over, his fingers brushing against hers.

“Relax,” he said. “We’ll be there soon.”

She nodded, though her mind continued to race. What if “they” were already ahead of her? What if this wasn’t far enough?

“Why Paris?” Clemson asked, breaking the silence again.

Eleanor blinked. “What?”

“Why are you going to Paris? Is it really just about your mom?”

She hesitated before nodding. “It’s complicated.”

Clemson’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t press further. Instead, he leaned back, closing his eyes as if the conversation hadn’t just left an open wound between them.

Eleanor exhaled slowly, trying to push the panic out of her chest. The hum of the helicopter filled the silence, but her thoughts refused to settle.

Suddenly, Clemson’s phone buzzed, breaking the quiet. He pulled it out, his brows furrowing as he read the screen.

“What is it?” Eleanor asked, her voice sharp.

Clemson didn’t answer right away. Instead, he turned the phone toward her, showing a single text message.

**“She’s on the helicopter. Don’t let her land.”**

Eleanor’s blood turned to ice. Her breath hitched, and panic clawed at her throat.

Clemson’s gaze met hers, and for the first time, she saw it—the flicker of doubt, the calculation.

“Who sent that?” she demanded, her voice shaking.

Clemson locked the screen and slipped the phone back into his pocket. “We need to land. Now.”

Eleanor’s heart dropped.

“Wait—what?”

But before she could say anything else, Clemson leaned forward, speaking quickly to the pilot. The helicopter dipped, turning sharply as it began its descent.

Eleanor grabbed his arm. “What’s going on? Who sent that message?”

Clemson looked at her, his expression unreadable. “I’ll explain everything when we land. Trust me.”

But trust was the last thing Eleanor felt.

As the helicopter dropped lower, she pressed herself against the seat, her heart pounding harder than ever.

She wasn’t safe.

Not even close.