Page 87 of The Restaurant on Plum Island
“We’re fine,” Carly said with a nervous laugh and looked at Shay. “Are you okay?”
Shay nodded and threw her arms around her father’s neck again. “I knew you’d find us,” she said.
“Always, baby, always.” Ethan’s arms wrapped around his daughter. His and Carly’s eyes met, and her heart melted at the emotion shining in them.
“I’m fine too, thanks for asking,” Alex piped up, standing behind them.
“You were so brave, Uncle Alex,” Shay left Ethan’s arms and leaped into Alex’s.
“Yes, thank you, Alex,” Carly had to admit he’d stepped up when they needed him.
“Alex saved the day?” Harley caught up with them, immediately scooping Carly into his arms. “Don’t do that again, okay?”
“I’ll try not to get taken away against my will again.” Carly laughed, hugging her brother. Relief finally flooded her as she realized it was over.
“Harley, we’ve got them,” a man said from behind them.
Carly, Shay, and Alex turned to see the masked men being led out by two armed men in military uniform.
“You called your SEAL buddies?” Carly looked at her brother.
“Yup!” Harley nodded.
“Where do you think we got the chopper?” Ethan grinned.
“I thought you’d finally bought me one,” Alex said, admiring the bird.
“Let’s see who…” Harley stepped around them and was about to unmask the one man.
“Wait!” A familiar voice called from the house next door, and they all turned and gaped…
“They’re with me. I can explain!”
“Uncle Sam?” Carly and Harley gasped in unison.
CHAPTER 20
Ethan sat on the overstuffed sofa with his daughter beside him and Alex beside her. His eyes kept drifting to Carly, who was on the sofa opposite him next to her brother Harley. Daphne Rose was serving everyone tea. Sam Donovan was waiting for her to finish so he could finally explain to them what the heck was going on.
Never in his life had Ethan been so scared when he realized what Shaun Vos was about to do. His stomach was still in knots, and Ethan wished there was a neat whisky in the teacup. His hands still shook as he lifted the sweet brew to his lips. Ethan was still trying to wrap his head around what drove a person to do what Shaun had done. He was drawn from his thoughts when Sam started to speak.
“Before I start, I just want to let you know that Shay, Carly, and Alex were never in any real danger,” Sam stated. “Or at least they weren’t when the US Marshals took over the operation.”
“That’s comforting…” Alex drawled sarcastically. “Was it the US Marshals who knocked Carly and me out with a sedative?”
“No!” Sam’s words stiffened Ethan. “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to intervene when the real kidnappers got to all of you.”
“That was my fault,” Daphne’s voice was full of remorse as she took a seat in an armchair. “I’m sorry.”
“So, when did your men take over the operation?” Alex asked.
“Can you let Sam talk, please!” Ethan hushed his brother.
“You weren’t the one knocked out and tied to a chair.” Alex pointed out and looked at Shay. “Sweetie, what happened to my fishing knife.”
“Alex!” Ethan growled warningly.
“It’s the knife Granddad gave me.” Alex glared back at Ethan.
