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“No, I’m saying you don’t have to feel obligated. If you’ve got other places to be, I can manage on my own.”
“No you won’t. I’m in.”
* * *
Charlotte could hear heavy breathing over a loud whirring, then realized the breathing was hers, and reality screamed its way back into her consciousness. She sat up, bumping her head.
“Ouch.”
She flattened a hand against the top of her head and looked around. The small cabin hummed loudly with the sound of the plane’s engines. Crates filled the cabin, but she could see the head of the pilot at the front, and leaning against the other side of the plane was a man watching her. He held a gun resting across his belly.
“What’s going on?” she said to him. “Where are we going?”
He sniffed.
She looked around her for anything that could be used as a weapon in case she needed to protect herself, but there was nothing.
Out the window directly below them was the ocean, but up ahead, land was beginning to take shape behind the haze.
She looked back at the man. “Where are we going?”
When he didn’t respond, she moved to stand, but he raised the gun and pointed it at her, then the seat. She settled herself back. She’d never been on a plane this small before. It was bumpy, and that didn’t help the queasiness in her stomach.
“Antonio drugged me?” she said. “Is that what happened?”
No response.
“Have we left America? I don’t have my passport. You think they’ll let me in a foreign country without one?”
“Mr. Delgado will meet you when we land,” the guy said, startling her.
“Mr. Delgado? You mean Antonio?” Her chest tightened. “When we land where?”
He didn’t say any more, and she closed her eyes, praying for the strength to endure whatever it was she was about to face. Being on a small plane full of supplies of some kind, they were probably smuggling her into the country, which meant no one would know where she was. She had no chance of rescue unless God did another miracle to rescue her.
Chapter24
After moving through customs,Peter led the way out of the airport. He had a connection in the area and was able to get them a vehicle.
“It’s in the far lot,” Peter said, hefting his bag over his shoulder as he crossed the parking lot.
They checked the rows until they found the license plate. It belonged to a 1983 Chevrolet C10 pickup, blue with a white stripe down the side.
“A classic,” Peter said, running his hand along the side before reaching for the keys that were stowed on the back tire.
“Is it?” Will yanked open the passenger door. It groaned, protesting the movement. “Looks like it’s seen better days.”
“Nah. These are the best days of its life. Forget the fancy vehicles they have now with computerized everything.” He jumped in the driver’s side and rolled down the window with the crank. “Don’t ever have to worry about a broken switch in the window mechanism.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve been in a vehicle this old. I hope she runs.”
“Only one way to find out.” He turned the key, and the engine resisted but finally turned over after a second try. Smoke poured out of the back as he revved the engine. “There she goes. Just needed a little coaxing.”
Will laughed. “I saw the fear in your eyes. You weren’t sure.”
“This guy’s not always reliable, but he was all we had on short notice.”
“Then we better pray God holds it together for the duration.”
