Page 89 of Holiday Hostage
Dad rushed forward, catching me when I tripped over my own feet. “What happened?”
“Too much.” I held on to him like my life depended on it. “Tucker saved my life. They all did.”
Dad patted my back and stuck out his hand toward Tucker.
“Thank you. I wasn’t sure what I was facing when you pulled up. Thought maybe those men had kidnapped her again.”
“Not under my watch.” Tucker sounded so much like Reed that my bones turned soft.
I tried to stand up straight, but my knees buckled. “You hired the best men for the job. I’m sorry to have to tell you that all three men perished while performing their duty to protect your daughter.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I liked them.” That was high praise coming from the man who disliked everyone except me.
Dad swept me into his arms, the look on his face so tender it took me back to my childhood. “You’re okay now. You’re safe.”
Safe. What did that even mean when I’d lost everything?
“Do you need us to take you somewhere?” Dad turned his attention back to Tucker.
Tucker shook his head and shoved his hands into his pockets. “No, sir. I appreciate the offer, but there’s some things I need to take care of here.”
Like going back for Reed’s body. I struggled in Dad’s arms, and he lowered my feet to the frozen asphalt. “Tucker?”
He shifted to look at me. “I’ll take care of everything, Payton.”
“Will you…will you let me know…” I couldn’t say it. I couldn’t ask him to tell me where they were buried.
“Of course.” Tucker held out his arms, and I hugged him, putting all my sorrow into the embrace. “Take care of yourself, kiddo.” He gripped my shoulders and ducked to stare into my eyes. “You do that for him. For all of them.”
“Okay.” I promised because he needed to hear it. I gave him one last hug and walked backward toward Dad.
Tucker turned away.
His shoulders bunched toward his ears, and his head fell forward.
A single cloud of air burst from his lips.
I fisted my hand and raised it to my mouth, biting hard into the knuckle to keep from screaming. My teeth broke the skin, and even then, I didn’t stop.
Dad took my hand and led me up the steps and into the plane.
He talked to me, but I heard nothing.
Once he realized I wasn’t going to respond, he settled me in one of the leather chairs and retreated to the cockpit. Minutes later, he snapped my seatbelt in place and took the chair across from me.
I stared out the window.
Trees blurred past as the plane moved into position.
Seconds turned into minutes and then into hours.
We flew high into the clouds, and it was so beautiful. Too beautiful. How did the whole world not mourn the way I did? How dare the clouds be so beautiful and perfect?
“Everything will be all right.” Dad took my hand and held it between his.
I’d kept my fists clenched the entire flight. Blood dotted my knuckles where I’d bit them.
Worry creased a double line across his forehead. “I’m sorry, Payton.”
