Amelia spoked from behind them, "The storm's clearing up. We should head to the airport."
Taylor stepped back and scanned his face. He gave her a half grin, hoping that she could see the change in him that he felt inside. Her reminder shifted something in him, and for the first time in three years, the guilt didn't feel as suffocating as it usually did. As if the beast inside wasn't going to consume him anymore.
"I'm ready." Kam attempted to put the raincoat he was borrowing from Ted on. He wanted to take the sling off, but he knew that if he wanted to be able to take Dasha and the rest of Spartak down, he needed to let it rest. For now at least.
"I'm coming with you." Taylor zipped her jacket closed then did the same for him.
They dashed across the yard to the waiting car. Taylor got in the back and Kam decided to slide in next to her. Amelia sat behind the wheel constantly scanning the trees as if a threat was just beyond their field of sight. Taylor spun her ring as Ameliastarted the vehicle. Kam wanted to take Taylor and run away from this mess, but that wouldn't solve a thing. They'd stop Spartak for good then he'd see what the future held for them.
Amelia flew down the road toward the island's only airport. The rock cliffs and forest battled for prominence in the terrain. Kam had always loved visiting his grandparents on the islands because they reminded him that life could be forged even in the toughest of circumstances.
He stole a glance at Taylor, who stared out her window lost in thought. They had not been dealt an easy path, but somehow God was giving them a second chance to create a life together. His mind circled back to what Amelia told him. What would their life be like after he was done? Would he ever be done?
Instead of parking in the visitors lot, Amelia pulled around to the private gate. She handed the guard papers and he waved them through.
"How did we get clearance to enter here?" Taylor asked the question buzzing in his own head.
Amelia looked in the rearview mirror with a smirk. "Alexei gave me his pass. It's easier to sneak into somewhere when the paperwork is legit."
At least now they wouldn't have to deal with security and prying eyes. Kam still had to face Paul. He was glad that Taylor was here, but he needed to do this on his own.
They pulled into the hangar and a second smaller plane sat parked next to Alexei's luxurious ride. Paul was on that plane. It was time to give that guilt he carried over and humble himself.
When the car came to a stop, he put his hand on Taylor's leg to stop her from getting out. "I need to do this. Alone."
Taylor opened her mouth to object, but he squeezed her knee and continued, "I promise I'll let you stop us if it comes to blows."
His joke fell flat as Taylor narrowed her gaze at him. "Fine." She crossed her arms, but stayed in the car.
He climbed out the same time as Amelia. He was going to tell her to also wait in the car, when she started to walk away. "I'm going to guard the door.” She threw the words over her shoulder. She was taking this protection detail seriously. Something he was grateful for. Would she offer him a protection job? Was that the plan to help him after this was all over?
Kam pushed those thoughts to the side. He needed to face Paul. His steps echoed off the metal walls of the hangar. Paul stepped out from behind the tail of the plane and dropped his bag at his feet.
He stood there, arms crossed, staring at Kam, daring him to take another step closer. Kam took a deep breath while he prayed for the right words.
"I thought Nalani or Taylor would be here." Paul's words were edged in suspicion.
Kam hiked his thumb over his shoulder. "Taylor is in the car and Nalani is probably still mad that I won't let her come. She's safer at the homestead than being exposed here."
Paul didn't move. At least he hadn't punched Kam, yet.
"I wanted a moment to ask for your forgiveness. What happened to you…"
Paul grunted. "If you want us to be best buds, it's not going to happen." Paul's shoulders relaxed. "I know what you did for Nalani and Taylor. And if I'm honest with myself, what you did for me. Knowing this in my head isn't as easy as letting it settle in my heart."
Paul stared at him looking for something. Kam held still. Words wouldn't come to him, so he let the silence work between them.
After serval beats, Paul stuck out his hand. "I'm willing to try, though."
Kam clasped Paul's hand and the weight of the guilt lifted off of him.
Paul picked up his bag. "So what crazy idea does my sister have planned?"
Quick footsteps sounded behind him. "We need to move. Security is incoming." Amelia's voice commanded authority that even Paul moved without question.
"I thought you said the papers were legit." Kam jogged around the car.
Amelia slid in slamming the door shut. "They are, but apparently someone reported a strange person hanging around the hanger."
