Page 5 of The Captive Missing

They made it out of France. Jace was safe.

Chapter 3

Out the tiny oval window, a vast sparkling ocean spread itself in every direction. They were somewhere high above the Pacific, and their final destination wasn’t too far off. Tracing her fingertips over the thick glass, Val’s eye caught on the far promise of islands. She could see their flash of browns and greens dotting the cerulean blue water.

An entire day spent on board an airplane would have been grueling for most. And in all honesty, Val was bone tired. Thanks to the luxury of a private jet, however, Jace had been able to pass the time well. With no other passengers, he stretched and jumped about, working out the jitters that youthful bodies seemed bound to contain.

Despite the threat of an impending sugar crash, Val indulged him. He watched movies, played video games, and ate junk food to his heart’s content. Really, she was just putting off the inevitable.

When Jace questioned her about his father and their sudden trip, she told him only that Jason had been called away on business. Her boy had frowned at the simple explanation until she mentioned visiting Bee and Gabe. The little boy simply adored his Auntie and Uncle, so he swallowed that bit of information happily.

Throughout the years they had traveled to the Maldives a number of times. It was always a comfort to reconnect with her old friends in their tropical hideaway. Although, only Bee had ever reciprocated by coming to France. Since landing in the islands after Sharon’s trial, Gabe had never left.

As Jace continued to rush about the cabin, the jet began its descent. The sun was just setting over the water now, making the light from the runway and collection of nearby buildings seem small and isolated. Reaching out a hand, Val finally snagged her son’s wrist and pulled him onto her lap. She pointed out the window, redirecting his attention to the lone airstrip below. It occupied an entire small island by itself.

Wriggling excitedly, Jace pressed his face against the glass for a better view. Somewhere down there, Gabe was waiting.

During the flight Val placed a call to Bee who set everything up. They weren’t able to speak openly with Jace listening, but oddly Bee seemed to already know what was going on. A strange sense of foreboding pricked at the back of Val’s mind ever since. Though she tried to push the feeling aside, it continued to spring up again and again, blending itself with worry over Jason’s arrest.

Purposefully now, Val shook her head. The strip of asphalt was rushing up to meet them and Jace’s eyes had grown to the size of saucers. Squeezing his little body tight, Val whispered to him until the bump of landing gear signaled they were safe. Beyond the window, the promise of tropical heat hung heavily in the air.

Gabe was waiting for them, as promised.

His golden-blonde hair stood out amongst the crowd in the terminal, though his tan skin had grown even darker with all the days spent in the sun. Island life made this already gorgeous man more so, if that was possible.

Val flashed him one of her winning smiles before wondering at how effective it was. Gabe’s brown eyes were filled with concern and didn’t waver at her reassuring expression. It was easy to fool most people, but a fellow captive… that was a different matter.

Upon spying Jace though, Gabe produced a brilliant smile of his own. Faker, Val thought ruefully, as they stopped beside him.

“Uncle Gabe!” The boy cried, before flinging himself up to be caught in Gabe’s strong arms.

“It’s my favorite guy!” Gabe hoisted the boy easily onto his shoulders, where Jace grinned triumphantly. “Ready for some man time? Fishing? Snorkeling?”

“Oh yeah.” Jace bobbed his head.

“What about your Mama?” Gabe reached for Val, pulling her in close with one arm. “How’s she doing?”

“She’s fine.” Jace dismissed the question.

“Fine is good.” Gabe gave Val a knowing look before lowering the boy and grabbing their luggage.

* * *

Out on the docks, the wooden platforms shifted with each step they took. Dusk had settled in, filling the ocean with uncertain shadows. There were no roads or bridges connecting the airport to the rest of the islands, not even the capital city of Male. To get to the house, they would have to take a ride in Gabe’s speedboat.

Val’s stomach twisted uncomfortably as she stood back, watching. Gabe loaded first Jace and then their bags. He was being too quiet, his eyes glancing at her every so often. Something was definitely up. But then his hand was bracing her waist and she was stepping inside. Normally, the two of them would have traded jabs by now, teasing each other as they always had. But instead, only the sound of Jace’s excited banter filled the air.

Gabe stepped to the wheel of his sleek white boat, fired up the dual outboard engines and cut through the dark water without comment. Eager to catch the mist of salty spray, Jace leaned his face over the side, laughing. Val gripped the blue nylon straps of his lifejacket in both hands but did not stop him from experiencing the rush.

The truth was, she didn’t want to hold him back from anything. She wanted him to be as free as free could possibly be. Feel the wind in his face, taste the salt of the water, laugh in the night. Everything she had never been allowed to do, she wanted Jace to have.

Soon, a massive two-story home appeared in the distance. It was built up on stilts over the water, a lone structure poised at the end of a winding wooden dock. Just like in all of Gabe’s daydreams, the tiny island was mostly empty. There was even a white sandy shore with a scattering of palm trees. He had come a long way from the windowless bedrooms of Cambric and Val was proud. It was everything he had ever described, and maybe more.

Pulling up to the home now, Val marveled at its beauty. All lit up in the night, the in-deck pool and jacuzzi glowed, throwing light against the face of the house. Its windows poured forth with illumination. The slim figure of a woman could be seen standing still as a silhouette in one. Bee. Here, waiting for her. Even after all these years, it made Val’s heart heave with relief.

Angling the bow of the boat towards the dock, Gabe cut the engines and let them coast until they bumped lightly against several large buoys. In a heartbeat, he was throwing ropes and hopping out after them. Before he even had a chance to secure the boat, Val heard Bee’s cry.

“Val!” Bee jogged towards them along the dock. “I’m so glad you’re both here.”

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