Killing Me Softly: A Romantic Suspense Anthology, page 160
“Hey, boss, how is she?”
“She’s in and out of it. I think she might have an infection; she’s starting to run a fever. Antonia cleaned around the wound and has been releasing the tourniquet slowly. At least the bleeding has stopped.” He’s checking her out while my heart is in my throat.
“Okay, how many other people are we going to have to airlift out of here that are ill?”
“The girls’ guards were ill, not sure on them now. I suppose it might be some sort of food poisoning. I’m going with Grace.”
“We can fit one more, what do you want to do?”
“I’m taking Antonia with me. I’m sure Jax will want her out of here as quickly as possible. Load the rest of the people on the large chopper. Oh, and there is one guy up front. His name is Mason.”
We get Grace strapped into the stretcher and Oliver pulls a harness out of his backpack for me to get into. He double checks everything before giving the thumbs up. Slowly, we start our ascend towards the chopper. The wind begins to pick up and I’ve got a death grip on the stretcher, praying it doesn’t go into a spin. My pilot, Gillian, knows what it takes before it starts the spin and she increases our ascending speed. We reach the top and the crew quickly gets Grace in the chopper. I stay in the harness, so I can get down to glide Antonia up.
“Jax, Grace is safely on board. I’m going to have Gillian lower me down to get Antonia. I’ll take her with me while you get everyone out of here.”
“Okay, good luck getting her to agree to that.”
He’s grumbling but with the wind, I can’t really make out what he’s saying and I probably don’t want to.
“Gillian, I need to pick up Antonia. Lower me down and be prepared to get an earful.”
“Okay, but the winds are picking up, so make it quick.”
When I get to the ground, she stomps her way over to me. “Uncle Max, I’m not a thrill junkie like you or Gracie. Riding the horse back to safety will be just fine for me. You need to just get Gracie to the hospital.” She waves me off like that will do anything.
“Of course, you’re fine with that. That’s where you and Junior were always the most comfortable. I want you out of here now. I don’t know what happened to bring this plane down, or what made half the people on board get sick. I want you safely tucked away.”
I give Jax the look, the one I’ve always given him when something is wrong. The tingle up my spine was out of control in there.
“You have nothing to worry about, we will be hooked together.” Her eyes are wide and she’s looking from the harness to her dad, like he’s going to help her.
“Don’t look over to your father for help, because you are not going to get any. Look, you know your mum is deathly afraid of heights, yet, she trusted me and we tandem base jumped while she was pregnant with you.”
“Has everyone in this family lost their ever-loving mind? My mum base jumped while she was pregnant with me?!”
“She did it to save your life. Come on, we’ve got to go and so do those boots you’ve got clutched to your chest.”
She tosses the boots at Bo nearly knocking him in the head. My feisty niece is back. I open my arms and she stomps over. “Just remember, I’m doing this for Gracie.”
When we are strapped together, I give the thumbs up as Jax reminds her he loves her always more.
Gillian gets us up quickly and once we are safely on board, we’re out of there.
Jaxson
* * *
“Junior, I’m going up to organize the evacuation. Once everyone is in the chopper, I’ll have them pick you and Bo up. Then, let Tim know once we’re gone, he can leave. Bo, I don’t know what went on between you and my daughter, but I venture to say it’s far from over. I’m only telling you this once. I don’t care who you are; none of that matters to me. You fuck with my daughter’s heart again and I will rip you from limb to limb.”
“You can threaten me all you want, sir. What happened is between me and your daughter. She’s the one who stomped all over my heart and she’s the one who has to answer for it.” He crosses his arms and steps right in front of me. He might think he’s standing his ground, but he’s never had to deal directly with me. It was always Max that would step between us. After today, I can see that won’t be the case anymore.
“Uncle Jax, why are you going up? Oliver is still in there; he can organize the evacuation. There’s no need to go up.”
“Junior, your uncle had a bad feeling in there. I need to see for myself what happened exactly.” He knows well enough that he has no chance of winning this argument.
I climb the tree and then work my way over to the window in the flight deck. Once inside, I start to look around as best I can with a tree in the way. I take out my phone and begin to take a lot of pictures. I might not see anything, but maybe Max or little bits will. As I climb under the tree, I see Grace’s pant leg that Antonia must have cut away. I also see a foot. Jesus, I wonder where the rest of him is. “Oliver, I’m in the flight deck. What is the status with the others?”
“The last guard is going up now. It’s just you and the guy at the front of the plane. The wind is picking up, Jax.”
“Okay, I’ll make my way towards you.”
When I get to the other side, there is a man standing there with a rope around his waist. He’s looking around but not moving. When he notices me a sudden look of fear crosses his face and he gets very pale. This must be the client.
“Hello, I’m Jax, Antonia’s dad.” I put my hand out and he slowly shakes it. Nothing worse than a limp dick handshake.
“I’m Mason. Everyone is being airlifted out of here. Are you here to help?”
“Yes, Oliver will get you out. Right now, you need to slowly work your way toward the first bedroom.” I wave my hand towards the room where Oliver is evacuating everyone. He’s still hesitating, which I find very irritating.
“What about the plane, is it stable?”
“For now, the faster we get out of here, the better. Come on, the airlift is waiting.”
He heads towards Oliver while I stay up here and look around. I rummage through some of the cabinets and I find exactly what I was looking for: a trash bag and some gloves. Oliver’s voice comes booming through my earpiece.
“You’ve got three minutes. The wind has picked up and I’m not sure how much longer this plane is going to stay stable.”
“I’m almost done.” I shout out before racing back into the flight deck. I find the foot, and with my gloves now on, I put the foot in the bag. I look further into the tree and I see the owner of the foot. His head is pinned right to the trunk of the tree. It’s Gregory, the co-pilot. I say a quick prayer and try to get out but there is a gust of wind that shifts the tree.
“Jax, the wind has picked up and a storm is moving in. Michael sent the guide to safety. You need to get your arse out here now!”
“I’m trying! If you have to go without me, then go! Save my family, Oliver!”
“No one gets left behind. Besides, if I did, Max would kill me, so move your arse!”
I make it out of the flight deck and I’m pulling myself up the rope towards the back of the plane while holding the foot and snapping photos as I go. I truly am a man of many talents. I finally make it to Oliver. I hand him the bag while I get the harness on. He hooks me up and we climb on top of a table that he put near the window.
“Jax, jump on three.”
“Okay, but don’t lose the foot! Three!” Once again, my life is dependent upon a leap of faith.
23
Antonia
I made it to the hospital with that crazy, thrill-seeking family of mine. Grace had x-rays and a scan to see what damage there was. Miraculously, it did no damage. It’s the infection that is making her sick. She’s on an intravenous antibiotic. All of our family is here, including my father who, apparently, saved Gregory’s foot. Poor Mason is sitting in a chair in the corner, no doubt wondering what to do next and how the hell did he get mixed up with this crazy family. I know I have to get him to California, no matter what. I walk over to him prepared to apologize for a plane crash that really wasn’t my fault when it hits me about the wine.
“Mason, as soon as I can leave, I’ll take you to California.”
“Miss Phillips, I understand. I’ve gone through life this long without knowing anything, I think a little bit longer won’t hurt.”
“I think, at this point, you can call me Antonia.”
He smiles for the first time since I met him. I want to trust him, but Gracie’s words keep blaring in my ears: “Trust no one but yourself.”
“Antonia, I have to say that the last seventy-two hours have changed my life. I only wish I could remember more of my past. Maybe if I did, it would help me have a clearer picture into everything we found out.”
I give his shoulder a gentle squeeze. “This might sound crazy, but maybe the accident was a good thing.”
His eyes grow wide with a look that could be shock or guilt. I’ve been second-guessing everything since the wine comment.
“Why would you think it’s a good thing? If I didn’t have the accident, I wouldn’t have found out all this really bad stuff from my past.”
“What makes you think you didn’t already know? After all, you were in possession of all those thumb drives. You had all that money in your safety deposit box. Maybe losing your memory was your brain’s way of protecting you from the horror of your father’s past.”
He doesn’t say anything. I’m sure he’s taking the time to digest it all. I get up, giving him some space and go sit by Gracie, taking hold of her hand. I need her to wake up and I need to talk to her alone.
I’m looking around the room, trying to figure out how I’m going to get everyone to leave. Aunt Jackie is lying in the bed next to Gracie, stroking her hair. Yeah, she’s not going anywhere. Sammy is sitting at the foot of her bed. He’s on the phone with Jeff, giving him an update. They are only minutes apart in age but, as far as they are concerned, Gracie is their baby sister. My mom is talking to Uncle Max. I wish I knew more about her past, but she’s very reserved when it comes to talking about it. Whenever I would ask her about her past and her family, she would paint a picture with very broad strokes. I’m trying to read their lips, but I can’t make out what they are saying. The little bit Uncle Max revealed was shocking and intriguing. Maybe he’s telling her what he told me to get me to trust him enough to go on that ridiculous, thrill-seeking ride of my life. She nods at Uncle Max and then comes toward me. I think I need to ask her now while everyone’s emotions are still on high.
“Mum, did you really base jump when you were pregnant with me or was Uncle Max playing me like a fiddle?”
She sits on the arm of my chair with a very faraway look on her face. Oh, my goodness, she did!
“Antonia, that was such a long time ago. Someday I’ll tell you the whole story. Your father was there, too.”
“Why did you jump with Uncle Max and not Dad?”
She looks over towards my dad and I see that moment when their eyes lock. He’s always said violet to blue. I think I might actually understand it now.
“Your dad had a lot on his mind at the moment and Maxwell said we were leaving. I believe his actual words were, ‘I need to have you wrap yourself around my front like a monkey hold.’ He ran to the edge of the cliff and jumped. But not before I threw up all over him. He never thought twice about jumping. He was there to save me; nothing and no one was going to stop him. That’s how we both got shot, but that’s a story for another day.”
“Save you from what?”
“A very bad man.”
My mum got shot. What kind of crazy life did they have before me? I have so many questions. Not unlike the experience Mason is going through. Maybe that’s part of the reason I keep giving him the benefit of the doubt. At the nurse’s demand, the room begins to empty out. I get up and stop Michael before he leaves.
“When are you going home?”
“Tomorrow. I want to be there when my son wakes up, so I can give Dagen a much-needed break. What do you need?”
“Can Mason and I hitch a ride with you?”
“Bo, will be with us.”
“I know. After I deliver Mason to his location, Bo and I have some stuff to work out.”
“We leave at ten and not ten your time.” He laughs as he heads out the door with Bo.
I don’t have a spidey sense like Uncle Max or Gracie. I look at a situation and see the logical side of it. If no one see’s my logic, I make them see it. The older I get, the more I’ve come to realize I’m more like my dad than I care to admit. My world is very black and white. You know—right vs wrong, good vs bad. I really need to talk to Uncle Max and go over everything I know about this case. I need his clarity.
My mum and Aunt Jackie are by Gracie’s bed. Everyone else, except for Mason and two of Uncle Max’s guards, has left the room. I excuse myself and step out into the hallway. I find Daddy and Uncle Max in a heated discussion. As I approach, they stop and plaster fake smiles on their faces.
“Hey, guys, I’m going to get right to the point here. I have some ideas on what went wrong, but before I go over it all with you both, can you have one of the many guards take Mason to a hotel?”
My dad pulls me into his arms, giving me a reassuring hug. The kind that says no matter how bad the outside world gets, you’ll always be safe right here.
“Princess, go tell Mason the plan and when he’s gone, we can talk.”
While Uncle Max heads over to talk to one of the guards, I let go of my dad and head back into Gracie’s room.
“Mason,” I grab his attention, “one of the guards will take you to the hotel. Try and get some rest. We will be leaving at ten am to go to California.”
“Thank you. It’s been a wild day. I think we can all use a good night sleep. Are you coming to the hotel, too?”
“No, I have stuff to go over with my family. Besides, I would never leave Gracie’s side. I’ll pick you up in the morning.”
I nod to the guard and he holds the door to the room open singling to Mason it’s time to leave.
I really want to talk to Gracie only to find my mum and Aunt Jackie curled up on either side of her. Gracie is going to have to fight to get her freedom back. I give them some more time with her. I slowly back out of the room and come face to face with my dad and Uncle Max. “Jesus, you scared the living daylights out of me.”
Uncle Max, takes my hand and leads me to the lounge area. I have a seat and my dad pulls two chairs in front of me.
“Princess, tell us everything from when you woke up all the way through the crash.”
The memory of Michelle hits me over the head like a brick. I gasp, “oh, Dad, with everything going on I forgot all about the message I was asked to give you. I met Michelle, the owner of the flower shop, Bigger on the Inside. She said to tell you ‘I am.’ She said you would understand. She is a very talented lady.” The surprised look on his face doesn’t go unnoticed.
“You met her?”
“Yes, Mason’s apartment is across the street. She told me how you met. She shared with me all the things she’s doing to pay it forward. Her story is an inspiration. I’ve learned quite a bit about my parents past in the last twenty-four hours.”
“That seems like a lifetime ago. I’m glad she is doing well. Now, please tell us everything that has gone on.”
I tell them everything about Mason from the first day we got the case through today. I make sure to tell them his comment about the wine. My dad’s jaw is tight and slightly ticking.
Uncle Max is hanging on every word, he leans in closer, lowering his voice to his library voice, “Let me get this straight; you girls have spent the last seventy-two hours or so hanging around with a serial killer’s son?!” Now he grits his teeth and the veins on the side of his neck are bulging.
“Well, when you put it that way, it doesn’t sound very good. Grace has been uneasy about this case from the beginning. I told her once we deliver Mason to California, then we’re done. Well, except for any of the stuff G might have found out about Mason’s paternal side of the family.”
“Princess, what happened on that plane before you went into the flight deck with Grace?”
I have a banging fucking headache. I rub my temples and try to recall everything that happened. “I was in the office preparing a letter that I wanted to send to G. Before I sent it, I went over the instructions with Gracie. She agreed with my decision. Just as I sent it, Gregory called and said we were going to hit some rough weather . . . turbulence. Just as she hung up with him, there was a big bang. She jumped out of her seat, grabbed me and we ran into the main cabin. Gracie ran into the flight deck while I helped everyone in the cabin get situated.” Uncle Max holds his hand up stopping me in mid story.
“Was the letter part of this case, and why did you have to help everyone in the cabin?”
“I told you. Mason brought all the stuff he found to the agency. We categorized it and G put it in the safe. It was all going to Fitz, the man who took down Mark Chambers, Mason’s dad. He was nearly killed in the process and his wife was held hostage by Mark. I asked him to take the money and start a scholarship fund in the victims’ names. As far as my helping everyone, they were all sick. Everyone except, Sunny, Gloria, and Mason. They are also the only ones who didn’t eat anything.”
“So, you sound like you think they were poisoned.”
“Yeah, I do. Only the people who ate got sick. On top of that, Gracie said the plane was serviced only two weeks ago. For all that went wrong, it had to be sabotage.”
“I would have to agree with you. I need to talk to my daughter and find out the details of what went on while she was flying. I would also like to see everything you have on Mason and Mark Chambers. I’m sure you didn’t miss anything, but when I spoke to Grace the other day, she said something about the case was bothering her. She talked about running it by me but she never did. I just assumed she got it all figured out.”
