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“They’re still on the water,” Julien said. “Let’s head back, say our goodbyes, and see if we can get to the other side before Lavigne.”
“And we removed the fucking tracker,” Joel mumbled. “Why the fuck did we remove the damn tracker?”
Adrían patted his shoulder. “It was for a good reason. I shouldn’t have done what I did, plus you were counting on the ring. She would have never willingly taken it off.”
Joel, nodding, went to take a step toward the car, but he was suddenly rooted in place when something dawned on him.
Josiah and Theo.
What the hell would he tell Josiah and Theo?
* * *
Joel held Josiah against him, rubbing his back. Malia watched, her expression solemn, from the living room sofa.
“Are you okay?” Joel asked her.
She shook her head, mouth trembling.
He called her over and hugged them both.
His mother was also on the sofa, Theo asleep as she gently rocked him. It was a blessing and a curse that Theo was asleep because, in all likelihood, he wouldn’t be there when Theo woke up. Neither parent would be there to explain the situation in a way his four-year-old brain could understand and reassure him they would be back. They wouldn’t leave him like the baby bird who’d searched all over for its mother.
“I promise I’ll get her back,” he whispered.
The words did nothing for Josiah’s anguish.
“I’m sorry.” He kissed the side of Josiah’s head. “I’m sorry. I’ll fix this. I promise I will.”
Malia wiped her eyes and patted Josiah’s back. “Your mom’s strong, Josiah. So is your stepdad. And your uncles are scary. They’ll get her back. She’s probably kicking butt as we speak.”
Josiah wiped uselessly at his face as he lifted his head. “Joel’s not my stepdad. He’s my dad. My second dad.”
“Malia’s right,” Joel said. “Remember, your mom’s been going to Book Club multiple times a week, and we’ve yet to see a book.”
A weak smile pulled at his mouth. “It’s a fight club.”
“Shh. We can’t talk about fight club.”
“Why not?”
He mussed Josiah’s hair. “Guess I just aged myself a bit. That’s a reference for when you’re older.”
“You come back too,” Josiah said. “Be safe, Dad. Please don’t die, okay? Come back. I love you.”
“I love you too, son.”
“Ma said to wait, but I have to show you something before you go.”
Josiah ran off.
Joel gave Malia one last squeeze and joined his mother on the couch. He kissed her cheek and then stared at Theo, wondering if it was worth it to tell him what was going on. But Theo was a smart kid. If Ayesha didn’t show up, he’d know something was wrong.
“I’ll explain it to him, honey,” his mother said. “Oh,caro mio.”She kissed his temple and fixed his hair.“Be safe. I won’t ask you to explain because I know you can’t, but be safe. Come back and bring my new daughter home. I love you,mio angelo.I love you.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
Josiah came racing back, pulling something from an envelope. “This is me and Theo’s gift to you, Dad.”
