Page 17 of Lyon

“Give him the address,” Max insisted.

“Jeez, my brother and your friend are so nosy. Can’t they pretend not to hear us?”

“You’d think so. Raven’s always been this way.”

“So has Max. He’s always butted into my business,” Niki said. “But I’m glad I have my brother to butt in because I love him.”

“Did everyone hear that? You’re my witnesses when I butt into her business,” Max said. “I love you too, Sis.”

“Buckle up. We’re landing at the German airport,” Gage announced.

“Remember to give me your address,” I reminded her.

“Give me your phone,” Niki said. I handed it over, and she added her number. “Call me,” she said.

When we landed, a man and woman rushed onto the plane. “That’s our parents. They thought Max was dead, so I’m sure they’ll start crying.” EMTs followed them inside. Mom looked at me, then did a double-take before leaning down to kiss Max.

“Max, we love you so much. Thank God Niki didn’t believe you were dead and ignored everyone to find you. I’m sorry for yelling at you, Niki.”

“Mom, you didn’t yell at me.”

“Yes, I did. You just didn’t hear me.”

Michael came over and hugged me. “Uncle Michael, Uncle Chris, Dad, Mom—this is Lyon Spenser. He operated on Max earlier. We need to get Max to the hospital,” Niki said.

“Yes,” her mom agreed. Max was loaded onto a gurney and rushed off the plane.

“Niki, I’ll see you Friday,” I said. I walked over, leaned down, and kissed her. She slipped her arms around me and kissed me back.

“Niki, are you coming?” Michael called from the door.

I lifted my head, and she smiled. “See you Friday.” Then she was gone.

8

Niki

That kiss nearly knockedme off my feet. I shouldn’t have been that close to Lyon—I reeked. For weeks in Afghanistan, Since that one shower at Mack’s home, I’d only managed to clean myself with a napkin and water in the plane’s bathroom. I rarely removed my wig during that time.

I remembered Max’s friend warning me that men in the region might shave my head and use my red hair to make wigs for their wives. To prevent that, I wore one of my disguises. But now, the biggest problem was my stench. When I hugged my parents, Mom gave me a funny look—I knew it was because of how I smelled.

My head itched, and I couldn’t wait to remove the wig. We climbed into the vehicle my parents had rented. They dropped me off at the hotel before heading to the hospital. The first thing I did was strip off my clothes and step into the shower. I stayed there until I felt truly clean, washing my hair three times. I found the extra toothbrush Mom brought and brushed my teeth for twenty minutes.

They had packed a bag with some of my belongings from their house. I put on something comfortable and climbed intobed, sleeping through the night. The next day, I went to the hospital to say goodbye.

“You’re leaving?” Dad asked.

“Yes, I have to report to my boss.”

“Max told us everything you did,” Dad said, pulling me into a hug. “We could have lost both of you.”

“But you didn’t. You and Mom know I’d do anything to save Max. He’s my brother; he’d do the same for me,” I said, resting my head on his shoulder. I remember the first time I saw him when I was seven.

I recognized him at the FBI building in Los Angeles from the photo I kept by my bed. He didn’t know who I was because he didn’t know he had a daughter. That’s when I first realized I also had a brother. Max was one of the kidnapped boys Mom rescued. She was FBI Special Agent Raeann O’Riley.

“Will you visit us when we get home?” Dad asked.

“As soon as I can. I’m already late returning to work. Who knows, maybe I don’t even have a job.”

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