Riley’s hands trembled as she fumbled with her seatbelt, her heart pounding in her chest like a drum that refused to slow.

She hated flying—the closed-in space, the unnatural sensation of leaving the ground, the helplessness of it all. The moment the plane’s engines roared to life, a wave of anxiety crashed over her, threatening to pull her under. Her breathing quickened, shallow and erratic.

River, sitting beside her, seemed oblivious at first, his expression unreadable as he stared ...