Page 90 of Bobby

I nod, only to appease him. I don’t get how throwing a fake grenade around is a joke, but anything to keep the guy smiling, I guess. Liam seemed friendly, and I trust Bobby well enough to know he wouldn’t leave me with someone who would hurt me.

At least I hope not.

Swallowing the fear for myself and my girls, and Bobby, I look out the window. Bobby might know how to take care of himself. At least I assume he does. He seemed sure enough of his skills, as did the rest when I asked that he be the one to go get my girls. I might not know a lot about Danny, but he doesn’t seem the type to let inexperienced people on his “extraction,” as he called it.

But just because Danny trusts Bobby’s abilities doesn’t mean I won’t stop worrying about him.

Time passes slowly as Mason keeps playing game after game. Too slowly. Slow enough for something to have gone wrong. I just know it. He keeps trying to engage me, but each time, I decline. He doesn’t seem put off by me, nor does he put the fake grenade away.

His muttering about what he’s doing is oddly comforting as my heart continues to beat out of my chest with each thought that comes to mind about what a passing minute really means. Because each time no cars come back, it’s another minute that something could go wrong.

“Eyes up,” Mason says as he keeps playing his game. But this time it’s louder than the rest of his muttering, pulling my attention away from the window.

“What was that?”

He looks up at me and nods toward the window a second before I hear a vehicle pulling up.

I smash my face against the window and see only one car. That could mean anything. I look at Mason, who doesn’t seem to care, and then back at the SUV. I see a car door open, and then I hear the one sound that could make my heart start and stop all at once.

“Mommy!”

It tears me open.

I trip over myself to get out of the chair and run to the door, racing down the steps and falling to my knees on the last one as Lily and Ivy jump into my arms. I don’t want to cry, but the tears don’t listen as I grab Ivy’s face and look her over before doing the same with Lily.

“Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

“He had them sedated.” Bobby’s calm voice coming up behind them is the only reason I don’t fall apart. “We’ll have a doctor look them over fully when we get home, but for now, Danny has a man who will check their vitals.” He looks behind him, and one of the men who stayed behind comes up next to him with a bag in his hand.

“I’m ready when you are, ma’am.”

I sniff and nod before standing. “Yeah. That’s fine. Um, where do you want them?”

“There’s a room in the back where we can all fit,” Bobby offers, and I’m grateful he’s suggesting a place where I can have both my girls with me. I don’t plan to let either of them out of my sight for a very long time. Since they were taken, I’ve been contemplating homeschooling and working from home so I can watch them constantly. I know it’s not healthy, but until I feel better about any of this, that’s my plan.

I pick up Lily and grab Ivy’s hand as we make our way back into the plane. Mason is still playing cards and doesn’t even look up when I pass and keep heading to the back. I didn’t know this place was here. I’ve only sat in the one seat since I boarded. Looking around wasn’t an option for me; containing myself in one spot was the only thing I could do. Now I can breathe. I feel my body loosening with each step with my girls in my arms.

The back isn’t overly large, but it’s bigger than what I expected, with a full-size bed, a desk, a side table, and an attached bath, as well as enough room for all four of us to move around.

I sit Lily on the bed, and Ivy sits next to her. I step back and let the doctor look them over, but I’m close. And so is Bobby.

“Tell me.” It’s all I can say. It’s all I need to say. I speak so softly that I wonder if he can even hear me.

But when I feel his arm wrap around my back and pull me in close, kissing my temple, I let out a heavy breath.

I need his touch as much as I need theirs. Maybe more than I want to admit.

“Danny’s taking care of it. We found them in a wardrobe. Ivy said he gave them something on the plane and they didn’t wake until just before we showed up,” he whispers in my ear, then holds me when I feel my knees give out.

I nod as tears run down my cheeks. I can only pray that was the worst of it. I don’t want them to fear flying or to have nightmares from this. Having your father kidnap you is enough.

“What the fuck is this?”

I turn and look out the door. It’s not a straight shot to the front, but enough that I see Marco standing next to Mason. I don’t hear what he says, but I hear Marco’s reply.

“Get it the fuck off the plane. That’s live, man! We’ve got kids here.”

I look at Bobby, who squeezes me and then heads to them. They speak quietly before Mason and Marco both exit.