Avery squirmed in her grasp, but Lily held firm. "Don't even think about it," she whispered, surprising herself with the steel in her voice.
Lily caught her reflection in one of the cabin's polished surfaces. She barely recognized the woman staring back at her – fierce, determined, a far cry from the scared, insecure girl she'd been just hours ago. In that moment, Lily realized something profound. She wasn't just fighting for her survival anymore. She was fighting for a chance to become the woman Chris always saw in her – strong, capable, and worthy of love.
She still wasn't sure if she would or would lose at the last minute… but at least she tried, and it was more than enough.
Then she faced Avery's bodyguards who stumbled forward, their eyes locked on her. "You're an easy target, little girl," one of them growled.
"Lily, show them otherwise," Chris's voice crackled through the phone. "Flip Avery and point the knife at her throat vein. Now!"
Adrenaline surged through Lily's body. In a split second, she twisted Avery's arm and spun her around, pressing the knife against the pulsing vein in her throat. The move surprised even Lily herself, her body responding to Chris's instructions with an efficiency she never knew she possessed.
Avery's eyes widened in shock, a small gasp escaping her lips. "You little bitch," she hissed, but Lily could hear the tremor of fear in her voice.
"Don't come any closer," Lily warned, her voice steadier than she felt inside. "Or I swear, I'll do it."
The bodyguards hesitated, their hulking frames frozen in uncertainty. "Miss Sterling?" one of them asked, clearly unsure how to proceed.
Lily pressed the knife slightly harder, drawing a single drop of blood. Avery let out a strangled cry, "She actually did it... She's killing me!"
"Good job, Lily," Chris's voice came through, filled with pride. "You're doing great, sweetheart."
Then his tone shifted, addressing everyone in the cabin through the phone. "Listen up. I don't even have to be there to win this fight or tackle you all. What I just did by instructing Lily? That's just the beginning." His voice dripped with dangerous confidence. "Now, one of you bring the intercom device. The one used to communicate with the pilots."
The bodyguards exchanged confused glances, their eyes darting between Lily's pocket and Avery's terrified face.
"Do it!" Lily snapped, channeling a strength she didn't know she had. "Or your boss loses more than a drop of blood."
One of the guards slowly moved to retrieve the intercom, while the other remained rooted in place, frowning at Lily. She could feel the fear coursing through her veins, but alongside it was a glimmer of hope. Chris was with her, guiding her every move.
As the guard approached with the intercom, Lily felt a bead of sweat trickle down her back. Her hand trembled slightly, but she kept the knife steady against Avery's throat.
"Good," Chris's voice came through, calm and controlled. "Now, put it on speaker."
The bodyguard complied, his massive hands dwarfing the small device.
"Pilots," Chris's voice filled the cabin, authoritative and commanding. "This is Chris Eaton. I'm sure you've heard of me. Your passenger, Avery Sterling, is currently being held at knifepoint. If you value her life, and your own, you'll follow my instructions exactly."
Lily's heart raced as she listened to Chris take control of the situation. She marveled at his ability to command respect and obedience, even from miles away. He was truly born to be a leader, to guide and inspire people.
Chris's voice crackled through the intercom, firm and unwavering. "Pilots, turn this plane around and head back to Nyrosia immediately. If you don't comply, Avery Sterling will not survive this flight."
There was a moment of tense silence before one of the pilots responded, his voice filled with relief. "Mr. Eaton, we're not involved with Ms. Sterling's plans. Her bodyguards forced us to change course. We work for Nyrosia and are loyal to Lady Lily. We believe she should inherit the gold mines."
Chris's tone brightened noticeably. "I'm glad to know we're on the same team. Now, I need one of you to leave the cockpit and tie up these two bodyguards. The other can continue flying or engage autopilot."
As the pilots acknowledged the instruction, the bodyguards tensed, eyeing Lily warily. They took a menacing step forward.
"Hold your ground, darling," Chris's voice came through the phone, steady and reassuring.
Lily's grip tightened on the knife, her heart pounding. With a swift motion, she drew the blade down slightly, causing another drop of blood to well up on Avery's throat.
The bodyguards froze in their tracks as Avery let out a panicked shriek. "Don't come near! This girl really hates me. She could definitely kill me too - I've tortured her so much. Stay back!"
"Drop your weapons and kneel," Chris commanded the bodyguards. "Now!"
Just then, the cockpit door opened, and one of the pilots emerged. With swift, practiced movements, he subdued and tied up the stunned bodyguards. Lily felt the burden on her shoulders lessen slightly, but she maintained her grip on Avery until the pilot had secured her to a seat as well.
As Avery was being tied up, she spat curses at Lily and the pilot. "You'll regret this! Both of you! I'll make sure you suffer for this betrayal!"
Lily's hands were shaking as she finally lowered the knife. She pulled the phone from her pocket, her voice trembling with a mixture of relief and disbelief. "I did it, Chris! I did it! How did you even make me do this?"
Chris's warm chuckle filled the cabin. "You're a natural, dear. I just gave you the push you needed."
Tears of relief streamed down Lily's face as the adrenaline began to subside. She looked around the cabin, still struggling to believe what had just transpired. The bodyguards were subdued, Avery was restrained, and she, Lily, had been the one to make it happen.
"Chris," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I don't know how to thank you. You saved me again, even from miles away."
"No, Lily," Chris replied, his voice filled with pride and love. "You saved yourself. I just reminded you of the strength you've always had inside you."
As the pilot returned to the cockpit to begin their journey back to Nyrosia, Lily sank into a seat, exhaustion washing over her. She kept the phone clutched tightly to her chest, Chris's presence a comforting lifeline.
"Stay with me?" she asked softly.
"Always," came Chris's immediate response. "I'm not going anywhere, sweetheart. We have a lot to talk about when you land."
As the plane banked, turning back towards Nyrosia and towards Chris, Lily felt a profound shift within herself. She wasn't the same woman who had fled in fear just hours ago. She was stronger now, more confident. And she knew, with absolute certainty, that whatever challenges lay ahead, she and Chris would face them together.
….
As the plane touched down in Nyrosia, Lily's heart raced with anticipation. The door burst open, and Chris stormed in, flanked by armed men. His eyes scanned the cabin frantically until they landed on her.
"Lily," he breathed, relief washing over his face. But the tenderness vanished as his gaze shifted to Avery, still tied to her seat. His jaw clenched, eyes blazing with fury.
Chris strode over, pressing the barrel of his gun against Avery's forehead. "You miserable witch," he snarled, his voice dripping with venom. "You tried to kill her. You tried to take her away from me!"
Avery's eyes, burning with rage and unshed tears, met his defiantly. "I may have lost this battle, Chris Eaton, but I will win the war."
A cold laugh escaped Chris's lips. "You won't live long enough to participate in any war, Avery."
Lily's stomach churned, torn between relief at their safety and horror at the scene unfolding before her. "Chris," she said softly, reaching out to touch his arm. "It's okay. We can just leave. We're safe now. We don't have to kill her—"
Chris whirled on her, his eyes flashing. "Shut up, Lily! You know nothing about this world, about what needs to be done. Stay out of it!"
His harsh words stung, and Lily recoiled as if she'd been slapped. She closed her eyes, unable to watch as Chris turned back to Avery, his finger tightening on the trigger.
The tension in the cabin was palpable, the air thick with the promise of violence. Lily's heart pounded in her ears, each beat a desperate prayer for this nightmare to end.
Just as Chris was about to pull the trigger, a commanding male voice cut through the chaos like a knife.
"Stop it, Chris Eaton! Stop right now!"
The authority in that voice was unmistakable, causing everyone in the cabin to freeze. Lily's eyes flew open, searching for the source of the interruption. Chris's hand wavered, the gun still pressed against Avery's forehead, as confusion and frustration battled across his face.