Page 27 of Finish Line

They mean well and are trying to help me, but it’s making me worse, not better.

“If you’re sure, I have a place ready for you. It’s one of the Knight’s smaller vacation homes. You said you wanted to go somewhere warm, so I picked Hawaii. The house sits on the beach, so hopefully, you packed your swimsuit. It’s a private, gated community. You’ll be safe,” he says the last part firmly.

I finally meet Frank’s eyes and even manage a small smile. “Thank you. It sounds wonderful.”

We say nothing else for the rest of the trip to the airport.

I expect him to drop me off at the entrance, but he drives around to an unfamiliar area. “The Knights own three different planes. I made arrangements for you to fly out on the smallest one. I figured if the guys were in their right mind, they would let you use it.”

I pick imaginary lint off my arm. “How are the boys?”

“Better. We found out the morning maid was the one who was triggering their hypnosis by putting music on for them in the morning. We also caught the security guards who cut the cameras.”

I already heard about this, but it’s good to hear and reinforces that they’re safe. “That’s good.”

“I’ve found someone who can help undo the hypnosis. He’s supposed to be here next week.” Frank drums his finger on the wheel.

“When he does whatever he does for the boys, can you make sure Hannah’s there? I think she was hypnotized as well.”

Frank glances at me briefly. “Will do. He hypnotized you, too, Shelby. Should I send him down to you?”

“He made the boys hate me, and he made Hannah molest Luke. All he did to me was make me follow him to break into places. I was fine the last time. I just had a headache and threw up. Nothing I can’t handle. I’m not worried about it right now.”

“I’ll have him come back when you return to town.” The SUV rolls to a stop near a small plane. “When you arrive in Hawaii, a car will be waiting for you.”

“Frank, I can’t thank you enough.”

He twists in his seat to face me, not trying to touch me, just sitting and holding my gaze. “You can thank me by getting better. Stay safe, and contact me if you need anything.”

Not wasting any more time, I slide out of the SUV and walk to the plane, where the pilot takes my bag and tells me we’ll take off soon before he climbs the stairs and heads inside the plane.

I pause for one second to peer over my shoulder toward where Frank still sits in his SUV. I can barely make out his form in the driver’s seat.

With a wave, I turn and walk up the stairs into the plane, where my mouth falls open in shock.

This is nothing like what I’ve seen on TV, with seats so close your knees knock against the back of the chair in front of you, filled to the brim with weary travelers, crying babies, and annoying neighbors that crowd in on all sides.

No, everything is white, buttery soft leather, and wooden surfaces gleam in the overhead lights. A large screen TV hangs across from a couch. How can you watch TV in the air?

An older guy in his forties waits patiently for me to overcome my shock. “You can sit anywhere you like, miss.”

I nod, still trying to take it in.

I move down the middle of the plane. After the couch, two tables sit between two chairs on each side of the aisle. I take a seat in one of the chairs.

He takes two steps toward me, and I pull up my leg and arm, protecting myself.

He freezes. “I’m sorry, miss. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I just wanted to ensure you were buckled in.”

“I’m sorry. It’s as tight as it can go.”

The man inclines his head toward me. “Since it’s a small plane, we don’t have an attendant on staff. I’ll check on you when we reach flying altitude.” He walks toward where the cockpit is.

“No, you stick to flying the plane. I’ll be fine.” I wave my hands in front of me, panicking at the pilot not sitting at the controls while the plane is in the air.

He laughs. “I’m only the co-pilot.”

I’m a fool, but I chuckle. “First-time flyer, here. So, I’m a bit nervous.”

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