Page 92 of Max's Mission

“I know, honey. It’s all right. You’re safe. But no more running off, okay?” She squeezed her tight before pulling back.

Expression solemn, Emily nodded.

“She’s one-hundred-percent fine.” Max stepped over, running a hand down Emily’s hair. “She even helped save herself.”

“I bited the bad man.”

“She did,” Max affirmed. “On the ear.”

Margot’s heart flip-flopped again at the thought of her daughter putting herself in danger. She wasn’t really surprised, though. The child was a complete daredevil.

“Emmy!”

Margot looked up to see Lily waving from Ford’s boat.

“Come on. Let’s get on Ford’s boat. Your sister missed you too.”

“I’ll help you down,” Tad said. He paused and glanced at Max. “If you don’t mind?”

“Not at all.” He gave Em a quick kiss on the top of her head, then looked at Margot. “I’ll see you soon, okay?”

She nodded, glancing past him at a bloodied and tied up Berry, anger surging for what he’d done. Only the fact that the twins could see her kept her from walking over and delivering a swift kick to his face.

But it was over, and he wouldn’t see the light of day for a long, long time. Exactly what he deserved. Yelling at or hurting him wouldn’t change anything. So, she spun around and headed down the ladder.

Sam and Dean helped her and Tad over the railings onto Ford’s boat. She took Emily inside the cabin and set her on the couch. Annabeth brought Lily, and the girls gave each other a quick hug.

“I missed you, Emmy. You done a bad thing. Mommy cried.”

Emily’s lower lip wobbled. She looked at Margot. “I’s sorry, Mommy.”

Margot leaned in and kissed the girl’s forehead. “It’s over now.” They’d talk about consequences later. Once they’d all calmed down more. Most likely, that would be no surfing or bodyboarding for a period of time.

As she straightened, she caught a glimpse of Tad standing to the side. Blood coating his somber face, he watched them.

“You two stay here for a minute, all right? I need to help your—to help Tad get cleaned up.” He had a nasty gash on his temple that was oozing blood.

Emily nodded, then turned, glancing out the window. “Ohhh, it’s the bad man.” She nudged her sister and pointed. Lily scrambled up to her knees, and they both perched on the seat to stare through the window at the hive of activity going on outside. Margot could see Dean climbing aboard the other boat, a large first-aid kit in his hands.

“I better go help him.” Annabeth backed toward the door.

Margot nodded. “Thank you for staying with Lily.”

“Anytime.” With a smile and a quick wave, she left.

She was glad Annabeth was the one tending to Berry’s bloody face. If it had been her, she might have done her best to make it worse, Hippocratic Oath be damned.

“I’ll be right back, girls.”

“Okay, Mommy,” Lily said, her eyes on the sky.

Above, Ezra circled in the chopper. Margot doubted he’d stay long. There wasn’t much he could do from the air now.

Crossing the small cabin, she dug into the cabinet in the galley where she knew Ford kept emergency supplies. Finding the bag, she turned to Tad. “Come over here and let me look at your head.”

“It’s fine. Nothing a few butterfly strips won’t fix.”

“Humor me.” She pointed at the small banquette built into the wall. “Sit.”

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