by Chloe Lang
“I won’t except for great surprises. Is that hard to do, Joel?”
“Yes, it is,” Joel said. “My brother and I have only been able to really surprise her twice, once on her birthday and another time on Mother’s Day. Other than that, she only pretends she’s surprised, but we always know.”
“That sounds like Toni. Maybe the four of us will have to get together and make sure we surprise her on her next birthday.”
“Now that’s a plan I can help with. You better switch seats soon, Zane, or you’re not going to get to sit by my mom. We’ll be landing in less than an hour.”
“You’re right. Thanks, Joel.” Zane turned and faced Toni and Maddox, who were deep in conversation and unaware of his or anyone else’s presence. He was glad they were holding hands. It was a very good sign that she had relaxed some.
Maddox looked up at him. “Hey. You ready to switch?”
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.”
They found Timothy quickly. He was a large black man who looked like he could take down a battalion single-handedly but also who had very kind eyes.
“Weh yuh ah seh?” Timothy asked in Jamaican Patois. “How are you?”
“We’re doing as well as can be expected, Timothy.” Zane shook the man’s hand. “I’m Zane. This is my brother Maddox. And this is Toni and her son Joel.”
“Hail up. Hello. The ride is this way.”
They followed Timothy to a white van. Dark, ominous clouds swirled overhead. It looked like it was about to storm.
Timothy turned to Zane and Maddox. “I have the equipment in the back for you.”
Maddox opened the side door for her. “How about you sit in the middle, sweetheart, between me and Zane?”
“Sure thing.” She had little doubt what the equipment was that Timothy had mentioned. Weapons.
“Joel, you ride shotgun, next to Timothy, okay?”
“Sounds good.”
Zane and Maddox walked to the back of the van with Timothy. She didn’t want Joel to know about the guns, but she was very glad that Zane and Maddox would be armed. She wasn’t sure if having the guns was illegal or not in Jamaica, but if something went south and the authorities showed up, Joel would be innocent.
Zane and Maddox got in the van and slid in next to her. She liked being between them. It made her feel safe. The bulges in the side of their jackets told her what she already knew—they were armed.
Timothy jumped in behind the wheel and started the engine.
“How long before we get to my father’s compound?” Joel clearly was anxious about his brother.
“Thirty-five to forty minutes, depending on how long it takes to get out of the city.”
The rain began to fall and Timothy turned on the windshield wipers.
Chapter Ten
Listening to the pounding of the rain on the van, Toni felt her heart beating rapidly during the entire drive. Everyone was unusually quiet. No doubt each of them was wondering what was going to happen.
Zane and Maddox held her hands.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl, each mile they drove taking so very long. But it was her own anxiety that was warping her sense of the clock.
Montego Bay was quite modern and filled with beautiful resorts, but as they drove out of the city it started looking like a rainforest sparsely populated with shanties and small trailers.
As the rain began to let up, finally, they arrived at Maroon Town, the place her ex lived. It was a very small town that looked quite poor.
Tim
othy parked the van a block away from Peter’s compound. “That’s the place.”
It was massive. The building behind the twelve-foot wall was four-stories. Large double iron gates looked to be the only way in from the street. What the hell did Peter need this compound for? What was he keeping out? Or in? She already knew firsthand that he was a criminal. Apparently, nothing had changed since she’d last seen him.
She clenched her fist. Restin was inside that compound. How are we going to get him out of there?
“This is where we part, my friends,” Timothy said in perfect English, which shocked her. “You go to those gates. There’s a call box next to them. Tell them who you are. I believe they will let you in.”
“What happened to your accent we heard back at the airport?” she asked.
“That was for anyone who might have been nearby as a precaution, ma’am. I wanted everyone to think I was just a local picking up some American tourists.”
“What about you?” Joel asked him. “Why are you leaving? What are you going to do?”
“Find another way in. Give you cover in case we find danger,” Timothy said. “It’s just a precaution. I’m sure we’ll be toasting your brother’s safe and trouble-free return at the bar in Montego Bay this evening.”
Joel nodded. “Precaution seems to be your favorite word, Timothy.”
“It’s one of them. Precaution is how I survived three combat tours of duty. You should take the wheel, Joel, and when you get up there tell them your name and that you are Peter Swift’s son.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Toni said, worried about Joel. “Maybe Joel should get out here and wait for us. He’s only eighteen.”
“Mom, no. I’m going. Restin is my brother.”
Maddox turned to her. “Sweetheart, I don’t think we have to be concerned for him or Restin. Your ex obviously needs both of them for some reason. Remember, he sent his man to get them.”
“Besides, I’m the one they will open the gates for,” Joel said. “Without me, how will you get in?”
“Oh God, I hate this. I hate everything about this. But okay. I don’t think we have any other choice.”
“Give me ten minutes and then drive up to the gate,” Timothy said.
She was glad to have him on their side. “Be careful.”
The rain stopped. The air was heavy. Her heart pounded like a jackhammer in her chest every second that ticked by. Please, God, don’t let my boys get hurt.
After the allotted time Timothy had asked for, Joel drove up to the iron entrance. He reached out the window and hit the green button on the callbox.
“State your business,” a deep voice said.
“I’m Joel Edmunds, Peter Swift’s son. I’m here to see my dad and my brother Restin.”
Toni had never heard either of her sons refer to Peter as dad before. Father, yes, but never dad. She realized that Joel had used “dad” to help get them inside. It was very smart of him.
The gates swung open, and Joel drove into the compound. “Oh shit, Mom.”
Three men with machine guns met them in the driveway.
Oh, God. “Joel, just do what they say, understand?”
“Okay.”
“Get out of the vehicle,” one of the men shouted. “Hands in the air.”
Zane and Maddox weren’t moving.
This is bad. Really bad.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw her ex appear in the doorway of the building.
“What the hell are you doing, Leron?” Peter glared at the three guards. “You and your men put down your guns. This is my boy.”
“Ya sah,” the man who had shouted at them said and stepped back. He and his companions lowered their weapons as Peter had ordered.
Looking thicker in the middle and with little of his hair left since when she’d last seen him, the bastard spread his arms wide. “Come to your dad, Joel. I want to take a good look at you and give you a big Jamaican hug.”
“Asshole,” Joel whispered.
“Put on a smile,” Maddox said in a low tone. “We’re here for one reason. That’s to get your brother back. Got it?”
“Yes.”
They all exited the van, Zane and Maddox stepping so that she and Joel were between them.
“Son, I see you didn’t come alone,” Peter said, still smiling. “Hello, Toni. It’s been a very long time. You haven’t changed a bit. You look great.”
“Stop shoveling your bullshit, Peter.” The old anger at being betrayed by him erupted inside her, but an even more powerful emotion took charge—the need to find her Restin. “Where is my son? Where is Restin?”
“Toni. Toni. Toni,” he said in that familiar condescending way of his. “I guess you have changed.” He looked past her. “And you brought reinforcements with you. Who are these two?”
“My friends. Stop stalling. Where is Restin?”
“He’s here. Safe. With me. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough guest rooms for you and your friends. Joel can stay but you three need to go.”
“What do you want with me and Restin?” Joel asked. “You’ve not been around our entire lives and now you show up? Why?”
“I have my reasons, son. And once your mother and her friends leave I’ll be happy to tell you everything.”
She glanced over at the three men with machine guns. Where was Timothy? Was he inside yet?
Peter was in charge. That was very clear. Stealing her inheritance had only been the beginning for him. Also clear. He was neck-deep into criminal activity. Again, crystal clear. And he had Restin.
She’d been married to the asshole. She knew what made him tick. He was arrogant and full of himself. That certainly hadn’t changed.
Peter stepped up to her, Joel, Zane, and Maddox, standing less than two feet in front of her. Moving forward in her direction, he said, “You really do look great, Toni.” He reached out and touched her arm. “Better even than when we were married.”
“Don’t touch me.” She jerked her arm back.
“Oh, honey.” He reached out again.
“Didn’t you hear the lady?” Zane glared at Peter. “She told you not to touch her.”
The lying bastard held up his hands and stepped back. “You haven’t introduced me to your friends, Toni.”
“That’s not necessary. I want Restin and we are leaving.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible. Leron.”
Peter’s three thugs raised their weapons.
“What the hell are you doing, Peter?” Joel shouted.
“You just don’t understand, my boy. This is going to benefit you and Restin. You just need to stay with me.”
“I’m not staying with you,” Joel said indignantly. “Ever.”
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Zane and Maddox slowly reach inside their jackets.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Peter stated flatly. “Unless you want to be carried out of here on a stretcher.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary, Mr. Swift.” Timothy’s voice rang out from somewhere above in the building or on the roof, but Toni couldn’t see him.
Peter’s men raised their guns in the direction Timothy’s voice had come from and began firing.
As Zane and Maddox pulled out their guns that Timothy had given them, without any hesitation, she instinctively grabbed Joel, forcing him down. The very next breath, Joel twisted around, placing his body over hers.
“Mom, don’t move.” He was protecting her.
Leron fell to his knees from a bullet that clearly had come from Timothy, who was still invisible. The other two men started running, and Zane and Maddox rushed after them.
When Timothy came out of nowhere and appeared on the second floor balcony, Zane and Maddox tackled the two men to the ground, knocking their machine guns out of reach.
She looked at Joel. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Mom. Are you?”
“Yes. I’m okay.” She glanced over at Zane and Mad
dox, who were restraining the two men with handcuffs. More of the equipment Timothy had given them, thank God.
“Are you and Joel okay?” Maddox shouted.
“Mom and I are fine,” Joel answered, standing. “How about you and Zane?”
“We’re fine, too.”
Toni got up from the ground, shaken from what had just happened, staring at the man on the ground. They all could have been killed.
“Did you get them?” Timothy asked from the balcony.
“Two restrained and one shot,” Zane answered, moving to the man Timothy had shot. “He’s alive but needs medical attention ASAP. How about you?”
“I need medical attention, too. I’m afraid you’re on your own.”
Joel’s eyes widened. “Mom, where’s Peter?”
She turned to where her ex had been standing moments ago and realized he had escaped during all the commotion. She saw an open door into the building. “Oh my God. Restin.” She ran as fast as she could.
She heard Joel running after her.
“Mom, stop,” he yelled.
But stopping wasn’t possible. She had to find Restin but wanted to keep Joel safe. As she stepped through the door, she shouted, “Go back, Joel. I can handle this.”
And then her heart stopped at what she found inside—Peter holding a gun to Restin’s head less than ten feet in front of her.
“You always have to fuck things up, don’t you, bitch?”
“Mom, get out of here,” Restin said. “Please. I’ll be okay. Just step back outside. I don’t think he’ll hurt me.”
“Shut your fucking mouth, asshole,” Peter said. “Or I’ll blow your head off right now.”
Oh God, no. “You don’t want to do that, Peter. We can work something out.”
Joel ran into the room, moving next to her. Where are Zane and Maddox? Just then, she saw them through a window to her left. They were obviously trying to get the drop on Peter. She had to keep the bastard talking to give Zane and Maddox the time they needed to get into position.
Peter glared at her with eyes full of hate. “One wrong move and this kid’s brain will be splattered all over this room.”
