Damon unfastened his belt. The flight attendant appeared instantly. “Sir, sit down.”

“There are children back there.”

“There are many children on this flight.”

“My children may be back there.”

Her expression changed, but not enough to let him into the aisle. “Then the best thing you can do for them is stay seated until the captain turns off the sign.”

Damon obeyed again. It was the longest twelve minutes of his life. When the turbulence ended, he walked toward row twenty-eight. Cassandra saw him coming and shifted protectively toward the twins.