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The brothers grabbed each other as Langston broke and dropped to a squat. Tears fell from his eyes as he was racked with pain of the unknown.
“I can’t lose her,” he wept. The thought of being cursed in love came back like a nightmare. What were the odds that when he found the only woman who completed him, she would be taken from him in this way?
Another hand covered his back as his mom squatted down with her boys. “She’s strong. And I don’t think they’re going to hurt her.”
Langston glanced at his mom; his eyes full of hope.
“From the time I was there, this is what I know. The leader told us that we were thirty miles from the nearest gas station on the first day. His exact words were:‘We’re thirty miles from the nearest gas station. Before you think about running, understand that you’ll have to get through the gunfire from an army of bullets to make it to the front door. And the reason I’ve got all three of you is just in case one of you might be stupid enough to try it,it’ll leave me with other bargaining chips if I have to put one of you down.’I don’t think he plans to hurt them. He’s using us to get whatever he wants from you.”
Resilience and hope filled Langston just then. “Where’s the nearest gas station from Dunes Cafe?”
“There’s four in a thirty-mile radius around that location.”
“That means thirty miles from that location could be where he’s holding them,” Malik said, entering the conversation.
They rose to their feet, and Langston wiped his eyes quickly. He placed a hand on Cynthia’s shoulder. “Thank you for always being there for me, even when I’m supposed to be there for you.”
Cynthia smiled and sniffled. “I love you, son. I’ll always have one up on you.”
Her comment eased the sadness, and he pulled her into his arms. “I need you to be safe while we finish this. But it means we’ll have to take our eyes off you. I can only do that under one condition, but it means you’ll have to go away until this is over.”
She stared at him quizzically. “Go where?”
“It’s someplace you’ll love. I promise you might not want to come back.”
She peered at him. “I trust you. If you say I need to be there, then take me.”
Twenty-Four
Langston
They stood on the tarmac as the Royals of Kéra Asnela’s plane touched down on the runway. A mobile staircase was rushed to the plane exit door, and the doors opened.
Exiting first, King Isaac Winthrope walked down the stairs, confidence in his stride as his royal shoes hit the tarmac. Dark melanin covered his rich features, muscular tone, and sharp jawline.
Next to Langston, he saw his mom inhale a heavy breath, and a tiny smile curved her lips. She tried to suppress her happiness, but her face brightened with joy.
“Your Majesty,” Langston addressed, holding out his hand for a shake.
“Mr. Clark.” King Isaac accepted his handshake, but his gaze quickly slipped to connect with Cynthia’s.
She brightened even more, and her mouth parted, but nothing came out. King Isaac spoke again, moving to stand in front of Cynthia. “Queen of the Clarks.”
She giggled heavily and shook her head. “You’re never going to let me live that title down, are you?”
He chuckled. “I thought we already covered this.”
“We did.”
“Ah.” He glanced between her and Langston. “Thank you for calling me. It is my pleasure to keep your mother safe. Nothing and no one will get past my militia, and I’m sure you know this.”
“I do,” Langston said.
“I was surprised to see you emerge from your aircraft first. Doesn’t security need to sweep the area first or something?” Cynthia asked.
King Isaac smirked. “Royal security was here an hour ago, sweeping the area, as you put it. No one has gained access to the airstrip or this airspace since they arrived.” He winked, and she blushed.
Tristan and Malik approached, both shaking hands and greeting the king.
