Page 56 of Maximus

Elena was on her feet and running across the field. She launched at him, and Max caught her. “You’re late,” she cried as she held him tight.

“Late?” he asked as he held her. The other man continued toward the farmhouse. “Was there a time set?”

She leaned back. “Sunset.”

Max smiled at her. “Then I’m sorry. I would’ve been if I knew I needed to be here then.”

“Is it over?” she asked, knowing he’d know what she meant.

“It is. Are you ready to start your new life?”

“I am. As long as I’m with you, I can do anything.” She dropped her head again and held him tight. “I was so afraid something would happen, and you wouldn’t be able to come to me.”

“Hey, I’m here now.”

She nodded, still holding him tight. “I was afraid for you. They were horrible men.”

“They were,” he agreed. “But we never need to worry about them again. Okay?”

She nodded. “When do we leave?”

“As soon as I call in and tell them we’ve arrived. They’ll send an airplane for us.”

“An airplane? Where will it land?”

“You didn’t do much exploring today, did you?”

She shook her head. Her eyes had been glued to the horizon all day. “No. I just waited for you.”

“Up behind the farmhouse is a flat field Guardian has used several times as an extraction point. Grandmother is crafty and will let her goats out in the field after we take off. The goats will obliterate any tracks left by the aircraft. Guardian provides for her and checks on her as much as they can. She won’t leave, or we’d take her with us.”

He took her hand, and they started walking to the house. “When we reach the States, we’ll tell your father you’re safe, and you can call your mom to let her know where you are.”

“With you?”

“Yes.”

“Max?”

“Yes?”

“What is your last name?”

“Olsen. My name is Max Olsen.”

She smiled at him. “Mrs. Max Olsen. It has a ring to it.”

He grabbed her and crushed her against his chest. “Are you asking me to marry you, Elena?”

“No … yes … will you?”

“As soon as we reach the States.” Max dropped to kiss her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She’d never felt so safe in her life.

“That iswhat we’re flying to Athens in?” Smith asked as the little plane circled for a landing, well under radar detection.

Max nodded. “That’s an Eclipse 550 with a range of two thousand eighty-four kilometers. Seats seven.”

“Seven normal people,” Smith grumped. “We’re larger than normal people.” He looked at Reaper, Malice, and then Max. “It won’t make it.”

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