Chapter 13 #2
They dashed across the yard to the waiting car.
Taylor got in the back and Kam decided to slide in next to her.
Amelia sat behind the wheel constantly scanning the trees as if a threat was just beyond their field of sight.
Taylor spun her ring as Amelia started the vehicle.
Kam wanted to take Taylor and run away from this mess, but that wouldn't solve a thing.
They'd stop Spartak for good then he'd see what the future held for them.
Amelia flew down the road toward the island's only airport. The rock cliffs and forest battled for prominence in the terrain. Kam had always loved visiting his grandparents on the islands because they reminded him that life could be forged even in the toughest of circumstances.
He stole a glance at Taylor, who stared out her window lost in thought.
They had not been dealt an easy path, but somehow God was giving them a second chance to create a life together.
His mind circled back to what Amelia told him.
What would their life be like after he was done? Would he ever be done?
Instead of parking in the visitors lot, Amelia pulled around to the private gate. She handed the guard papers and he waved them through.
"How did we get clearance to enter here?" Taylor asked the question buzzing in his own head.
Amelia looked in the rearview mirror with a smirk. "Alexei gave me his pass. It's easier to sneak into somewhere when the paperwork is legit."
At least now they wouldn't have to deal with security and prying eyes. Kam still had to face Paul. He was glad that Taylor was here, but he needed to do this on his own.
They pulled into the hangar and a second smaller plane sat parked next to Alexei's luxurious ride. Paul was on that plane. It was time to give that guilt he carried over and humble himself.
When the car came to a stop, he put his hand on Taylor's leg to stop her from getting out. "I need to do this. Alone."
Taylor opened her mouth to object, but he squeezed her knee and continued, "I promise I'll let you stop us if it comes to blows."
His joke fell flat as Taylor narrowed her gaze at him. "Fine." She crossed her arms, but stayed in the car.
He climbed out the same time as Amelia. He was going to tell her to also wait in the car, when she started to walk away.
"I'm going to guard the door.” She threw the words over her shoulder.
She was taking this protection detail seriously.
Something he was grateful for. Would she offer him a protection job?
Was that the plan to help him after this was all over?
Kam pushed those thoughts to the side. He needed to face Paul. His steps echoed off the metal walls of the hangar. Paul stepped out from behind the tail of the plane and dropped his bag at his feet.
He stood there, arms crossed, staring at Kam, daring him to take another step closer. Kam took a deep breath while he prayed for the right words.
"I thought Nalani or Taylor would be here." Paul's words were edged in suspicion.
Kam hiked his thumb over his shoulder. "Taylor is in the car and Nalani is probably still mad that I won't let her come. She's safer at the homestead than being exposed here."
Paul didn't move. At least he hadn't punched Kam, yet.
"I wanted a moment to ask for your forgiveness. What happened to you…"
Paul grunted. "If you want us to be best buds, it's not going to happen." Paul's shoulders relaxed. "I know what you did for Nalani and Taylor. And if I'm honest with myself, what you did for me. Knowing this in my head isn't as easy as letting it settle in my heart."
Paul stared at him looking for something. Kam held still. Words wouldn't come to him, so he let the silence work between them.
After serval beats, Paul stuck out his hand. "I'm willing to try, though."
Kam clasped Paul's hand and the weight of the guilt lifted off of him.
Paul picked up his bag. "So what crazy idea does my sister have planned?"
Quick footsteps sounded behind him. "We need to move. Security is incoming." Amelia's voice commanded authority that even Paul moved without question.
"I thought you said the papers were legit." Kam jogged around the car.
Amelia slid in slamming the door shut. "They are, but apparently someone reported a strange person hanging around the hanger."
"What? I was out of sight. I swear." Paul put up his hands. "Who are you exactly?"
"I'm a friend," came Amelia's curt reply.
Taylor leaned forward. “She and her husband have been protecting us since we arrived on the island."
Paul turned in his seat. "It's good to see you still alive." He swallowed, "After the explosion, we weren't sure where you were. Davin kept saying to have faith that we'd find you, but…"
"It's hard to keep the faith when the answers seem out of reach," Taylor finished.
Kam's heart ached for all of the days and years that Taylor had no answers about him.
At least ones that she knew were true. He entwined their hands.
If it was up to him, they'd never be apart again.
Maybe whatever Amelia had for him, she could include Taylor.
That was, of course, if she'd want to leave the FBI.
Amelia pulled out slower than Kam liked. They needed distance, not discrete. Amelia nodded with a two finger wave to the security vehicle as it approached. The car started to stop and everything in Kam screamed to run. What was she doing?
"Have you seen anyone around your hanger, ma'am?" the security officer asked.
"It's all clear as far as I could tell." Amelia gave in a clipped tone.
The security officer eyed her then nodded.
Kam only let out a breath as they drove through the gate finally.
He didn't believe in coincidences. Was someone watching them?
Could Dasha, or worse, Katarina, have found them?
They needed to stay vigilant. Their plan would never work if Spartak got wind of what they were going to do.