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Toni’s eyes landed on his and she smiled.
“I am. You’re really going to enjoy yourself, bro. Joel is a very intelligent guy. I learned quite a few things you’ll have to ask him about you-know-who.” He winked at Toni.
“Hopefully they were good things,” she said.
“Well, they certainly weren’t bad, but I learned you were a terrific detective.”
“What?” She looked confused.
He grinned. “Never mind. We’ve got this under control.”
“You sit right down here. We have to talk about this. I need to know if my son and I should have a serious discussion.”
Maddox laughed and left his seat. “Zane, I’m not so sure you’re starting this out right or not.”
“Don’t worry.” He sat down in the seat Maddox had just vacated. “Like I said, I’ve got this under control.”
Toni grabbed the little pillow and smacked him lightly in the face. “Oh, do you?” She laughed.
Maddox chuckled. “Good luck, Zane.” And then he sat down next to Joel.
Zane grinned, looking Toni in the eyes. “You’re a fiery little thing, aren’t you? It’s obvious I’ve got my work cut out for me,” he said, grabbing her hands and kissing her. Her lips were so soft, so delicious. He was so glad that she wasn’t thinking about Jamaica and what they had to face.
* * * *
Toni leaned her head on Zane’s shoulder and looked at the clouds out the window. “We’re going to need to rent a car when we land.”
“No, honey,” he said. “That’s all been taken care of. Clay and Jay have a man meeting us with a vehicle who knows the area. They sent the man’s photo to Maddox before we took off so we’ll recognize him right away. His name is Timothy.”
“That’s good. That’s one worry we won’t have to deal with. We can just go.” She thought about how lucky she was to have Zane and Maddox with her. She felt like she’d wasted time not giving them a chance. That was over. They would get all the chances they wanted from now on. They had proven themselves beyond measure. What would she have done without them? They had dropped all their plans and flown her to Milwaukee, and then without hesitation continued to fly with her and Joel to Jamaica to get Restin back.
Zane and Maddox were her knights in shining armor. She was falling hard for them and for the first time in years, she was letting go of her doubts, of her fear, and of her painful past with Peter.
Peter. What the hell was he up to? She knew she would find out very soon.
“Flight attendants, prepare for landing please,” the captain announced.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have just been cleared to land at Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, Jamaica,” the lead flight attendant said. “Please remain in your seats and make sure your seat belt is securely fastened. We will be passing through the cabin to make a final check and pick up any remaining cups and glasses. Thank you.”
Zane squeezed Toni’s hand. “It’s going to be okay, sweetheart.”
She nodded, praying he was right.
The plane landed smoothly, quite the opposite on how she felt on the inside.
Her anxiety for Restin began to multiply. Until she had her arms around him, she would not be able to breathe easily. Her entire body felt like it was inundated with apprehension.
Maddox pulled her luggage down from the overhead compartment. Zane continued holding her hand. She was so thankful that they were with her and Joel. She was not alone—not alone like she had been since her parents died.
“Mom, do you want to go to the hotel Aunt Izzy booked for us first before heading to the compound?” Joel asked, as they moved down the plane’s crowded aisle.
“No, Joel,” she answered. “I want to go get your brother before we do anything else.”
Toni knew what was behind her son’s question. He was hoping that if they took a side trip to the hotel, he could convince her to stay behind while he, Zane, and Maddox went to get Restin. Of course, that would never happen. She was going to get her son back. No one would stand in her way of that.
Both her boys had always been protective of her. But she was their mother. She was supposed to protect them. Had she failed? Peter was back in their lives, and who knew what he was really up to. One thing for certain, he wasn’t reaching out to Joel and Restin out of a newfound sense of fatherly love.
Maddox brought out his cell and looked at the photo Clay and Jay sent of their local contact, Timothy. “We’re supposed to meet him at the baggage claim area.”
