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“You little monster. Daddy wasn’t done with his meeting yet. Your uncle is being naughty.” Maxwell buries his face in Levi’s round tummy, eliciting more screeching and giggles.

“Uncle Rex is never naughty, only fun.” I strain a lazy grin and walk to my nephew, who’s trying to wiggle out of Maxwell’s clasp, his grubby little hands reaching for me.

“Wax. Uncle Wax.”

“Rex. Like the dinosaur…roar!” I grab him, hoist him under my arm like a football, and make a break for it.

Levi squeals, his joy piercing the heaviness in my chest.

“Uncle Wax is on timeout today. Your daddy says I’m in trouble. Why don’t we break out of jail, find Silas, and play catch with him?”

“Pway! Doggie!”

“Do you know Uncle Wax used to have a T-Rex stuffy as a friend? His name was Kazoo. I think I know just what to get you for Christmas.”

“T-Wax! Ka-Ka S-See,” he repeats himself, the cute little pumpkin trying to mimic me.

In another life, I’d love to have a mini-me. I’d be a fun dad. My heart twinges. Too bad I’m stuck in the current one.

“Rex! What’s your choice?” Maxwell hollers after me. “And don’t say I didn’t warn you; Greg Masters and the press will be on the cruise. We need good PR.”

There’s definitely no way I’m off the cruise. It’s the only thing keeping me sane now. The only thing resembling meaning in my life.

It’s my last lifeline as I hang over a cliff, my palms sweaty, my arms fatigued.

Images of Mom and Raya’s stiff bodies slam into my vision.

It’s atonement.

My palms sweat when I think about not being on the cruise. Not getting a chance to save someone. Or save myself.

Thereisno other choice. It’s a desperate need. I’d do anything to be on board.

“Fine. I’ll see Olivia on the cruise. But no meds. That’s my condition.”

I’m already hopped up on Velowake. I don’t want more meds in my system. I don’t trust myself enough to take them without abusing them.

But Olivia? I’ll charm her and get her to give me a clean bill of health. I don’t have to tell her anything.

It’ll be fine.

But I have a feeling I’ve signed up for much more than I bargained for.

Chapter Eight

I hear the lighterclicking before I see him.

Slowly, I release my breath. He’s here. This mission is happening. Other than a text last week with the location and time, Elias has been silent.

For a moment there, I was afraid he didn’t want to involve me anymore. That he’d take away my chance at atonement.

“For someone who’s supposed to be invisible, you sure make yourself conspicuous,” I say.

The side door closes behind me with a bang, cutting off the icy early March wind and faint drizzle outside.

Looming shadows cloak the dark hangar at Teterboro, the structure empty except for one lonely jet parked inside. My aircraft is in the Fleur hangar on the other side of the airport, and I know my staff is getting it ready for our evening flight to Greece.

Our. Because Olivia will be there for my first mandatory therapy session.