Page 88 of Max's Mission

She ran around the side, climbing into the passenger seat as he deposited the girl into her seat and drew the belts over her shoulders. With her secured, he hopped into the driver’s seat.

The engine roared to life with the push of a button. It was an agonizing few seconds as he waited for the garage door to open. Once it was up, he put the car in gear and pulled out, thankful he always backed in.

Heart pounding in his throat, threatening to choke him, he descended his driveway and turned onto the road. He had to force himself to swallow and to take a deep breath. Losing his shit wasn’t an option. Not with Lily watching their every move.

So, he prayed. Harder than he ever had before. All the way to the marina, he prayed for Emily’s safety as he clutched Margot’s hand.

Finally, after what felt like eons, but was only a few minutes, he turned into the parking lot and brought them to a stop behind Ford’s car.

“Where is everyone?” Margot scanned the area.

Ford and Sam’s cars were empty. Max also spotted Dean’s vehicle. “Not sure. In the office, maybe.” He pulled on his door handle. “Let’s go find out.”

Margot climbed out, rounding the hood to meet him on the other side as he lifted Lily from her car seat. Together, they jogged toward Ford’s office.

A sharp whistle from the water drew their attention. Max looked over to see Ford standing on one of his boats—the new one Brooke bought to replace the one that blew up last year—motioning to them. Brooke popped up from behind a pillar, a rope in her hands. She was on the dock, hurriedly untying lines.

“They took off!” Ford yelled.

Max ran toward the dock. “Not that boat. Mine’s faster.” He ran past Ford to where his speedboat was moored.

“It doesn’t have the cover mine does,” Ford called.

“Then follow me. I want to catch up, not wait for them to stop.” Max came to an abrupt halt, though, considering Ford’s logic. “Here.” He passed Lily to Margot. “You two go with Ford. It’s safer on his boat.”

“Wha—” She took the girl. “Max!”

Feet thudded onto the dock, rattling it, as Sam, Audra, and Marchand jumped off Ford’s boat.

“Go with Ford.” He pointed as he backpedaled toward his vessel.

The three ran past Margot toward Max.

“Let’s go!” Marchand yelled.

Giving Margot one last look, he waited long enough to see her nod, tears in her eyes, before he turned and followed them.

On board his speedboat, he found the right key and shoved it into the ignition. Sam pulled the lines and pushed them away from the dock.

“Ezra’s going up in the bird. Edie and Jordan are too far away to get here before Ford casts off, so they’re going to deal with the local police, along with Marchand’s guys.” Sam hooked a thumb toward the marshal. “Dean’s on board with Ford. So are Brooke and Annabeth.”

“Sounds good.” Max eased the speedboat away from the slip and entered the harbor. He looked at Sam. “Did Ford say which way they went?”

“No. I—I don’t know… if… Let me find out.” Taking a deep breath, Sam raised his phone and dialed. A moment later, Spanish flowed from his mouth. He’d called the office and not Ford.

Max glanced back.

Sam nodded once, then pointed to the northwest. “That way. He said they were moving quickly too.”

Easing the throttle forward, Max went as fast as he dared with the other boats around. If harbor patrol spotted him, they’d light him up for sure.

He didn’t care. They could come along and help.

A minute later, they were away from the other vessels, and he opened up the throttle. “Hold on,” he yelled.

The boat shot forward, and they were quickly cruising in open water.

Several minutes passed. Max glanced back, looking for Ford, but didn’t see him. In the distance, he saw the dark shape of Ezra’s chopper in the sky.

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