Fifty Nine.

I cast Aydem a sidelong glance with Sandro in his arms as we stand at the top of the staircase, facing the influx of reporters who are armed with cameras and microphones. They have arrived early, waiting to get the inside scoop of Aydems sudden return.

"Burada ne halt ediyorlar?" Neriman hisses from behind us. [What are they doing here?]

"I don't know, but it is too dangerous for Mila and Sandro to be seen. If the photos end up in the wrong hands our cover is blown." Aydem snarls, looking over his shoulder.

I follow his gaze and it lands on the air hostess who is cleaning. She must sense that she is being watched because she slowly raises her gaze and when her eyes collide with Aydems, she scurries into the back of the cabin.

[Shit!] "Bok! Give Sandro to Mila and deal with the media hungry vultures. I'll deal with this orospu [bitch] and we will meet you at Sedars." Neriman says in a thick accent as she removes her stilettos. "No matter what you hear, Mila, don't come into the back." She growls as she storms off in the same direction the unlucky hostess has taken off in.

"Do as she says, yuvru kedi.' [kitten] Aydem warns me. "This is her way of protecting you and Sandro." He kisses me on the head then looks down at Sandro with a smile casting off his face before he kisses Sandro on the head. "I will see you when you get to Sedars."

I watch in awe as he walks down the stairs exhibiting a shit load of attention with another shit load of self-confidence exuding off him. Like it was an everyday occurrence to walk out and greet a mob of reporters.

A high pitch scream comes from the back of the cabin followed by noises of cutlery being thrown around with the odd thud of bodies being thrown up against a wall.

The rowdy noises last for at least a good ten minutes and then the plane goes silent. All I can hear is Sandro breathing on my shoulder as I rub his back, bouncing him up and down.

"Seni hain! Bir daha asla başka bir havayolunda çalışmamanı sağlayacağım!!" Neriman yells in her mother tongue.

[You traitor! I will make sure you never work for another airline again!!!]

I move away from the window and far away from where Neriman and the air hostess is going at it. Moments later, Neriman walks out from the back cabin dragging the air hostess out by the roots of her hair. I stare with wide eyes as the poor woman crawls along the ground trying to keep up with Nerimans pace.

"Say you're sorry!" Neriman hisses, pulling on the air hostesses hair harder.

The hostess screws her nose up, raising her gaze to meet mine. "I'm sorry." Her words are barely audible.

"Say it,  like you mean it," Neriman growls, releasing the woman's hair.

"I'm sorry!" The air hostess chokes out as black tears from her runny mascara slide down her cheeks. "I needed the extra money, my son." She pauses and swallows thickly. "He is two years old and he needed grommets. I was desperate and if I had to do it all over again, I would. He no longer screams the house down." Her voice quivers, as she sniffles profusely.

"Ugh!" Neriman utters, pushing the woman away by her head. "You're fired. But before you pack your things and leave, I suggest you clean the mess in the back." She says as she slips her stilettos back over her feet. "And take some self-defence classes, you fight like a real woman. How are you to protect your son in the future if something happens to him?" Neriman gives the air hostess a pointed look.

"Tamam [okay]." The air hostess replies as she rises to her feet on trembling limbs.

I stare at her through eyes full of pity. From a mothers perspective, I can understand that she was only thinking about her son's wellbeing and I can respect that. But then, she works for one of the most notorious families in Istanbul, and she should have taken that into consideration, knowing that her scheme would have grave repercussions once her intentions were discovered.

"Did you honestly have to continue beating the crap out of her once you realised she couldn't fight?" I arch my brow with a questionable tone.

[Yes, ] "Evet, she needed to be taught a lesson and just between the two of us, I did hold back." Neriman winks as she takes Sandro from my arms.

"If that was you holding back, I'd hate to see you go all Xena Warrior Princess on her." I snort.

"Really?" She states firmly. "Xena Warrior Princess." A look of sheer horror crosses her face. "I've seen the series and it was a major flop.

I shake my head laughing, " You're a badass."

Exhaling out of her nose, she peers down at Sandro. "It wasn't by choice, believe me." She walks to the lavish white sofa and sits down. "Come," she pats the seat next to her. "We have some time to kill before we can leave."

I oblige, sitting down beside her and I shift in my seat, facing my body towards her. Sitting in absolute silence. I patiently wait for her to speak and tell me how she became a badass Turkish female.

"I used to believe my life was dull until I discovered I was a Peker. Not to mention Sedar's twin sister." She swallows heavily, her gaze fixed straight ahead. "I was Sedars' personal assistant. I lacked a sense of style, a boyfriend, a life, and, as with every cliched scenario, I lacked money. Considering the mundane existence I lead, I was content, or should I say comfortable, with my way of life. Then Sedar's wife was kidnapped in front of me, and everything went sideways from there. Mr Ozturk Snr. cornered me, kidnapped me, and informed me that the life I was living was not my life and that I was a Peker descendant. I was told stories of the Pekers as a child when they were all assumed to be dead, and about their horrific deeds against the innocent. I did not want this life, but I chose it in the end in order to get to know Sedar and protect him, his lovely wife, and their children. Surgically removing my uterus...." She abruptly comes to a halt, pausing for a moment or two to gather her breath and regain her composure. She returns her gaze to Sandro in her arms, her grin brimming with pain, struggle, and chasm. "That is a story for another day." Standing up, she whispers. "It is imperative that we return to Aydem before he and Sedar organise a search party." With a click of her tongue, she mutters.