Chapter 1 - The Little Boy Who Couldn't Hear His Father's Love
The first thing Khloe Gallagher did was tell the most intimidating bodyguard on the aircraft to move.
Victor Sterling stared at her.
"Excuse me?"
"The little boy is terrified, and you're blocking my way."
His expression hardened.
"Miss, I don't think you understand who you're talking to."
"I understand perfectly. You're a very large man standing between a frightened child and someone who might be able to help him."
Behind Victor, the screaming continued.
Silas Costello turned.
"What is going on?"
Victor straightened.
"Boss, the attendant insists on entering the cabin."
Silas looked at Khloe.
His eyes were dark, exhausted, and unmistakably dangerous.
"I told the crew to leave us alone."
Khloe swallowed.
Every survival instinct told her to apologize and return to the galley.
Instead, she looked past him.
The little boy was rocking against his seat belt, his tiny hands still pressed against his ears.
His breathing had become frantic.
And something about his movements caught her attention.
He wasn't simply crying.
He was searching.
His eyes darted toward the ceiling, the window, and the overhead lights.
Then he made a quick movement with his fingers.
Khloe recognized it immediately.
She stepped closer.
"Mr. Costello, is your son deaf?"
Silas's expression changed.
"Yes."
"Does he know American Sign Language?"
A pause.
"Some."
Khloe glanced toward the child.
"May I try something?"
Silas hesitated.
Then he nodded.
Khloe approached slowly, staying within the boy's field of vision.
She didn't touch him.
She didn't raise her voice.
Instead, she crouched beside his seat and gently waved one hand where he could see it.
The boy's tear-filled eyes found hers.
Khloe signed slowly.
HELLO. MY NAME K-H-L-O-E.
The boy froze.
His mouth remained open.
But the screaming stopped.
Every adult in the cabin went still.
Khloe continued.
YOU ARE SAFE. I AM HERE.
The boy stared at her hands.
Then his little fingers moved.
YOU KNOW?
Khloe smiled.
YES. I KNOW SIGN LANGUAGE.
His face crumpled.
Not from fear this time.
From relief.
He signed so quickly that his hands trembled.
DADDY DOESN'T UNDERSTAND.
Silas stepped forward.
"What did he say?"
Khloe looked up.
"He's trying to tell you something."
Silas's face tightened.
"What?"
Before Khloe could answer, the boy grabbed her sleeve.
His tiny fingers moved again.
This time, she went completely still.
BAD MAN. DON'T LET HIM TAKE ME.
Khloe felt cold.
She glanced toward Silas.
Then back at the boy.
WHO? she signed.
May you like
The child lifted one trembling finger.
And pointed directly at Victor Sterling.
