Page 105 of Stolen Beauty

Her son spins through the water, fast approaching the wall.

“I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.” This is all on me. Felix’s death. Maria and her son losing the most important person in their lives.

“Those men have some of the best training in the world.”

“It doesn’t make them infallible.” Heck, Felix had been plagued by an upset stomach. There are so many things that can go wrong. “I just wish I could help. Do something.” At times it feels like my whole life has been spent depending on others.

Ava announces her son’s time to him, and he tells her he’s going to take some easy laps before racing again. I stand and stretch.

“You know, we all have our strengths. The guys,” she angles her head toward the house, making it clear who she means, “from a young age, they excelled in athletics, all things outdoors. They’re addicted to an adrenaline rush. They work hard for it. Don’t get me wrong, but there’s natural ability there. They chose careers that leverage their strengths. I couldn’t do what they do. Wouldn’t want to do what they do. And look at you.” There’s no way she’s about to compare me to them. “I couldn’t do what you do either.”

“What do you mean?” I’m a teacher. That’s easy.

“Put me in a room with half a dozen five-year-olds, and I wouldn’t last a day.” I look away to hide my grin. It’s funny but smiling feels wrong.

“Seriously!” She lifts her sunglasses to emphasize her sincerity. “When Justin was younger and he’d have one friend over, I’d need to rest after a few hours with them. Sleepovers? Forget about it. No way would I do that unless Jack was home to help. And you deal with those wild things all day, five days a week.”

She’s right. It does require patience and the ability to treat them with respect and understanding.

“Look. You’re not the best pick to extract a hostage. But that doesn’t mean you don’t do incredibly important work. Maybe the most important work. You know, you’re teaching kids to read. Giving them confidence and setting up their academic foundations.”

My eyes burn and I rub them, letting her words sink in. Maybe that’s what I needed to hear right now.

“I still wish I could do something for Maria and her son. Maybe a Kickstarter campaign or something?”

“Arrow set up a trust for them. They won’t want for anything financially. We’ll look out for them. Being strong for Knox. That’s what you can do. It’s not easy, but I believe it helps. Knowing he doesn’t need to worry about you will help him and the team.”

She’s right, of course. That’s what I can do. Be there for Knox.

“And we’ll be sure to have you in place so you can see your sister as soon as possible.”

“I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to repay you for all you’ve done.”

“No need. We’re family.”

She wraps her arms around me in a compassionate hug I didn’t expect, but her warmth soothes the twisted frayed emotions I’ve been carrying around.

“Mom?”

We break apart, and I give her shoulder one heartfelt squeeze, then head to the house.

My feet sink into the luscious lawn as she yells for her son to go. Knox greets me outside the basement doors.

“We’ve got a plan.”

I don’t push to go. Ava’s right. I don’t have any skills that will assist in this particular mission. If I’m not an asset, I’m a loss. An impediment.

“Hey.” He steps closer to me. Through the glass, I watch as a couple of the security guys pass through the main room, headed down the hall to the control room. Knox lifts my chin, directing my attention away from the activity inside the house. “Are you okay? I know today’s been tough.”

Tough for me? What about Maria?

“We’re going to find her.” He links his fingers through mine.

“Promise me you’ll be careful.”

Whoosh. We both turn toward the sound of the automatic opening glass doors. Jack looks at Knox. “Ready?”

He squeezes my hand and falls in line behind Jack. I keep a brave face. Being strong is the one thing I can do for him and these men who are doing so much for me and my sister.

---