Chapter 40

40

After a textbook touchdown, the plane's powerful engine throttled down, the roar fading to a low rumble as the pilot maneuvered off the runway. Cody's stomach clenched as they taxied toward the low-slung terminal. His eyes narrowed, focusing on two intimidating figures flanking a nondescript sedan. Their black tech clothes and threatening tattoos screamed trouble, even if they weren't visibly armed.

He handed Paige one of their go bags, a grim reminder of what they were walking into. "Consortium muscle. Let me do the talking."

To his relief, she didn't argue. He could feel her vibrating with anxiety next to him, her breath coming in short, sharp bursts. The urge to comfort her warred with the necessity of staying alert.

Searching for something to ease her fears, he found himself quoting, "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?"

"Impressive," Paige murmured, her voice barely audible over the dying whine of the engines.

"I'm learning," Cody added, a wry smile tugging at his lips. Learning verses was easy. Learning to trust in the Lord was the hard part. After three years, he still struggled with it. Maybe he always would.

As they approached the exit, his muscles tensed. The familiar weight of his concealed weapon pressed against his side, a cold comfort as they prepared to step into the lion's den.

He grabbed the door latch. The plane's door hissed open. A blast of humid air rushed in, carrying the acrid scent of jet fuel. His nostrils flared as he took in a deep breath.

The pilot, a tall, slender, silver-haired man, stood in the cockpit doorway bending down to catch a glimpse out the portholes. His lips flattened into a grim line. "Anything I can do?"

"Thanks, but this is our fight. How about hanging close in case we need a lift?"

The man's gaze flickered from the doorway to Cody and back. "I'll fuel up now and run through a preflight. We can be wheels up in five minutes from your signal."

"Outstanding. Other than that, just stay safe," Cody replied, his tone brooking no argument.

"You want me to contact Kate?" the pilot asked, hope flickering in his eyes.

"Negative," Paige answered before he could. "We're on communications lock down. Please don't."

The man glared out the window and turned back to them, his thin shoulders sagging. "Understood. I don't like it, but I understand. Radio silence."

Paige smiled at the man, a wobbly but heroic attempt. "We appreciate it."

The pilot shook his head and headed back into the cockpit. "This is why I got out," he muttered, his words barely audible over the ambient noise.

Cody faced Paige, eyeing her Kevlar vest, obvious beneath her thin tee-shirt. "You ready?"

"Not even close."

That made him smile. "Me, either." He handed her his duffel bag. "You okay with both of these? I need my hands free."

She hefted the two bags, holding them slightly in front of her in the narrow aisle. "Yup."

He nodded, his hand instinctively brushing against his concealed weapon. The cool metal was a stark reminder of the danger they were walking into. With one last glance at Paige, he squared his shoulders and moved towards the exit. Time to kick butt.

He hit the switch to release the plane's stairs and jogged down, his eyes never leaving the two men. To his surprise, instead of ordering them into the vehicle, the goons backed away. The taller one nodded, indicating the sedan.

Nice. At least they wouldn't arrive bound and gagged. Though he was certain the vehicle was bugged with every possible tracking device. So what? The Consortium would know where they were going anyway.

He waved Paige into the vehicle, spotting a burner phone on the driver's seat with a destination already punched in. Dead south, a smallish city just inland from the barrier islands.

Plenty of escape routes for the people who grabbed Jason. They could vanish by boat or car or even helo. "You were right," he told her. "Destination's just within our hour limit. Town called Southport. Right on the Cape Fear River."

Paige laughed harshly. "Seriously?"

He liked that she still had her sense of humor. "I know, right?"

He eased them away from the airport and down the highway, the setting sun at their backs. Paige wound the pink hank of her hair around her pinky finger, anxiety radiating off her in waves.

Hoping to distract her, he asked, "How's your faith holding up? Ever have times when it's hard to lean into it? To trust the Lord and give up control?"

"Totally," she admitted, her voice soft. "I'm surprised by this newfound introspectiveness you've developed."

Cody's fingers tightened on the steering wheel. "I used to think if I was strong enough, fast enough and smart enough, I could handle anything. It wasn't until three years ago, when your dad and I realized getting away from the Consortium was going to be harder than we ever thought, that his continual gentle example of faith really hit me."

"Thank you for telling me that," Paige said, her eyes glistening.

Cody nodded, wishing they were heading off for a beach vacation instead of an ugly showdown where they'd be utterly outnumbered. But not outclassed, he reminded himself. He'd have Paige and Jason. And the Lord.