Page 32 of Rescuing Brinley

“Yeah, what’s happening?”

“We’re all still in the hotel room with the VP and his wife. They’re safe and the hotel is locked down and secure.”

“The conference center?”

“Last I heard, Secret Service and the local authorities had neutralized most of the Red Vipers. Got a text from Zero about fifteen minutes ago. He said Ayla was safe, as were they. They were barricaded in a closet with about five other contestants, waiting for help. Where are you? What’s making all that noise?”

Shadow quickly summed up the current situation, and what had happened.

“Those fuckers,” Grinder bit out. “If they’d gotten away with those women, they would’ve made millions. Enabling them to continue kidnapping women around the world for their sick fucking clients.”

Shadow was well aware of the close call not only the women behind him had endured, but future potential victims, as well. “I need you to get with the local police and make sure there are medical personnel waiting for us when we land. We won’t be docking at any pier until we’re one hundred percent sure it’s safe. We didn’t rescue these women just for them to fall into the Vipers’ hands again.”

“Ten-four. Where should I tell them to send help?”

“No clue. But surely they can track us. We aren’t flying at too high of an altitude, and it’s not as if there are that many other float planes out here.”

“Right. I’ll take care of it. Shadow?”

“Yeah?”

“Glad you’re all right.”

“Me too, Grinder. Me too. The only reason I’m here is because of Brinley. I’ll be in touch when I can.”

“Stay safe.”

“Plan on it.” Shadow clicked off the phone and sighed in relief. His team was all right, the VP and his family were safe, and the end of the siege sounded like it would soon be over. He wasn’t sure if there were casualties other than the Red Vipers, but for now, his only concerns were the people in the plane with him.

Brinley flew the plane for another twenty minutes, and he knew when he saw a cluster of buildings that it would be the best place for them to land. It was about as large a “town” as they’d find on the island, and he pointed to it as he spoke. “There. I think if we can land, that’s our best bet. There’s a pier we can tie up to eventually.”

Brinley nodded. She was sweating and leaning forward in her seat, tension radiating from her. She was doing an amazing job of flying the plane, but she obviously wasn’t comfortable in the least.

“You’ve got this. I trust you.”

She glanced over at him and took a deep breath. “Landings were always my weak point when I was taking lessons. What if I misjudge? Or there’s a wave? We could flip and I’ll kill everyone.”

“You won’t. Trust your instincts, Brin. You can do this. I know you can. Because anyone who can run toward danger instead of away from it has a spine of steel. My mom always used to tell me that a person never knows how strong they are until they have no choice but to be strong. And you might not feel it, but you’re strong. One of the toughest people I’ve ever met in my life. Selfless. Compassionate. Hardworking. There’s no one I’d rather be in this plane with than you.”

Shadow wasn’t talking out his ass either. Small spaces weren’t his jam and this float plane was testing the limits of his endurance. And even though he’d just met Brinley, he trusted her implicitly.

Her lips pressed together, then she nodded. He saw her lips move. He didn’t hear what she said, though it was obvious she was talking to herself.

Then she said out loud, “Hold on. This could get bumpy.”

Shadow’s fingers tightened on her thigh for a moment, giving her more support without words.

She wasn’t wrong. The landing wasn’t perfect. The plane lurched a little and wobbled from side to side, but Brinley managed to hold it steady.

She’d done it. She’d kept everyone safe.

The second the plane glided to a stop and was safely floating on the water, she covered her face with her hands and burst into tears.

Shadow didn’t hesitate; he reached over and pulled her into his arms. It was awkward, as the cockpit of the small plane wasn’t built for this kind of thing, but she didn’t seem to care. Neither did he.

It took several minutes, but she managed to get control over her emotions and straightened. Shadow let her go immediately but kept a hand on her arm.

“You did it.”