Chapter 48 Above the Law
Every passenger sat frozen in their seats, their eyes wide as they looked between the military men in the aisle and the man that stood in the middle.
Julian looked terrifying even without a frown.
“We didn't agree to leave Savannah," he said coldly as he walked to her.
Elena sat back, looking away from him and hoping he'd just disappear.
Julian’s hand was still clamped firmly on Elena’s forearm with a force that made her wince.
"Get up, Elena," he said. It wasn't a request.
"No," Elena spat loudly. She didn't care about the audience. "Let go of me, Julian. Or Samson. Or whoever the hell you are today!"
Julian didn't let go. "You’re making a scene. We’re leaving this plane right now. Move."
"I’m not going anywhere with you!" she shouted, wrenching her arm back with every bit of strength she had.
“I've been calling everyone I know. Why did you leave the hotel?”
“Because I can't be with a pathetic liar!"
To her surprise, he let go, though he didn't move an inch back. "You’ve been lying to me since the moment we met! You’ve lied about your name, you've lied about your past, and you lied about that woman in the park! You’re Samson Miller, Julian. I know it. Just fucking admit it!"
Julian’s face went blank. "Samson Miller? Elena, you’ve let that woman’s delusions get into your head. I told you yesterday, and I am telling you again. I’m your husband. I’m Julian Thorne. I have no idea who that man is. You're losing your grip on reality."
"Stop it!" she screamed, the tears finally making tracks down her cheeks. "Stop acting shocked! You’re a chronic liar! You’re a cheat, and you’re a stranger! I saw the records in this city, Julian. I saw the face of the man who died ten years ago, and he has your face. He has that scar by your hair. He has your eyes, your real eyes, before you changed them into whatever they are now!"
Julain looked around and then sighed. "We are not doing this here. There are too many eyes, Elena. Think about your family name. Think about the scandal. Come with me to the terminal and we can talk privately like adults."
"I am not leaving this flight," Elena said, her voice shaking but still, she stood up, forcing him to take a half-step back into the narrow aisle. "If you try to touch me again, I will file a restraining order the second we land in Chicago. I’ll call every news outlet. I’ll tell them exactly how Marcus Vance’s son-in-law uses private militias to kidnap his wife. You might think you own the city, you might have the military in your pocket, but you are still not above the law. You cannot kidnap me in front of a hundred witnesses!"
Julian stared at her. For the first time since she had known him, he seemed to hesitate. He looked at the passengers, then back at Elena’s tear-streaked face.
The fury in his eyes softened into something that looked like genuine pain, though Elena didn't trust it for a second. She knew he was a master of manipulation.
"Elena," he said, his voice quiet now, almost pleading. "I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you. I really am. This trip was supposed to be for us. It was supposed to be a honeymoon. We never had one after the wedding. I wanted to give you something real. I wanted us to be away from the house, away from the noise of the city. I wanted to start over."
"I don't need a honeymoon from a ghost!" she cried, her voice cracking. "I don't need an apology! I need the truth! Who is Samson Miller? How did he know Chloe? Why is there a hospital beneath our house?"
She waited and dared to hope for just one second, that he would look at her and say, “I’m sorry, Elena, I lied.” She wanted the truth more than she wanted her next breath.
But Julian just shook his head. He looked her straight in the eyes. "You’re seeing things that aren't there, Elena. I am your husband. I have never lied to you about who I am. You’re tired, you’re stressed, and you’ve let a grieving, crazy woman confuse you.”
Elena felt her heart break into a million pieces. The denial was so perfect and so practiced, that she realized she was fighting a wall.
There was no point in asking about the basement or the records she found. He would just tell her she was hallucinating those, too. He was going to gaslight her until she stopped asking.
"Leave," she whispered. When he didn't move, she gathered every bit of breath in her lungs and screamed it. "LEAVE! NOW!"
Two airport security guards appeared at the front of the plane, looking panicked and confused. "Sir, we have reports of a disturbance—"
One of the military men stepped into their path, his hand resting visibly on the holster at his hip.
The guards stopped dead, their faces turning pale as they realized they were outgunned.
"Julian," Elena said coldly. "Let this plane fly, or I promise you, I will make sure you never see me again. I will disappear so deep not even all your money and that of your father-in-law's or your little army can find me."
Julian stood there for what felt like an eternity.
The other passengers were dead silent, watching the showdown. Finally, Julian closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He raised a hand and gave a signal to the men in uniform.
"Stand down," Julian commanded.
He turned toward the flight crew and smiled politely. "I apologize for the delay," he said loudly. "It was a slight family misunderstanding. My wife has decided to head back to the city early. Please, proceed with the flight. I'll take responsibility for the gate fees and refund everyone on flight. As an apology."
He turned back to Elena one last time. He didn't touch her. He just leaned in close, his expensive cologne filling her lungs and making her feel sick. "I'll see you back in Chicago, Elena."
He turned on his heel and walked off the plane, his military escort following him like a swarm of bees.
Elena collapsed back into her seat, her body shaking so hard she could barely breathe.
The lead air hostess hurried over, her face full of pity.
"Ma'am? Are you okay? Do you need medical attention?" she asked softly.
"I’m fine," Elena choked out. "I just... I just need to go home."
The hostess nodded quickly, bringing over a glass of water and a handful of tissues. "Here. Take these. We’re going to be in the air in just a moment."
Elena wiped the salt from her cheeks and stared out the window.
As the plane began to taxi away from the gate, she saw Julian standing on the tarmac next to a black SUV. He didn't move. He just stood there, watching the aircraft as it began its ascent.