circumstances had been reversed.
They’d had a whirlwind affair. Fireworks and excitement and dancing until dawn. Making love until her thighs had ached.
But they hadn’t really known each other long enough to build unfailing trust. He hadn’t stood by her the way he had since the girls had gone missing. She hadn’t known the Adam she knew now. She’d never loved him the way she loved him now.
And she did love him, so very, very much.
Finally, he turned to face her and pulled her into his arms. He held her so close she could feel his heart beating aginst her own chest. When she tilted her chin and looked him in the eye, she could see love there, as well.
He kissed her, and she melted into the need and emotion. Part of her ached to stay in his arms and find comfort tonight. But nothing about that felt right. She pulled away.
“I’m sorry,” Adam said.
“For the kiss?”
“For everything. Mostly for not being here for you or for the girls.”
“You’re here now, Adam. We’ll work this out once they’re safe. But right now, I can’t deal with anything else.”
“I understand. And I’ll be here, as long as you let me stay.”
Somehow she knew that this time he meant it. And she’d be here for him. True love didn’t have an expiration date.
* * *
MARY NELL HAD JUST bathed the twins and put them in the pajamas she’d washed by hand and dried on the back of the headboard. They were getting used to her now and they talked more and more. They loved the puppets she’d made them out of the worn washcloths.
They were on their pallets now, eating the chicken nuggets and fries Sam had brought them.
“Let’s take the girls for a ride, Sam. They’re as tired of this motel room as I am.”
“You’ll get plenty of chance to ride once we get to Mexico City.”
“I thought you said last night that we were going to Rio.”
“The plans changed.”
“How many more times are they going to change before we get the money?”
“None. This is a done deal.”
“Does that mean you’re calling Hadley tonight?”
“I’m thinking we’ll call right now.”
She rushed over and threw her arms around him.
“Watch it, woman. You’ll spill my beer.”
But she could tell he was as excited as she was.
He took out his phone. “Where is that voice disguiser?”
“I put it in the drawer next to the bed.” She reached over and got it for him.
Someone tapped on the door. Mary Nell froze, the excitement dissolving so fast she grew sick.
“Take the girls into the bathroom and keep them quiet,” Sam whispered. “Don’t come out or make a sound no matter what you hear.”
She forced her body to move, whispering to the girls that they were playing the quiet game and must be as quiet as sleeping mice.
Lacy giggled but stopped when Mary Nell shushed her with a finger over her lips. But the loudest sound in the room was the pounding of Mary Nell’s heart.
She heard the door open and then an unfamiliar voice call Sam by name. Mary Nell put her ear to the bathroom door and listened closely so that she’d hear every word.
“Quinton. What are you doing here?”
“Just stopping by to see my favorite nephew. Looks like you’re not alone, though. Two little pallets on the floor. A doll. A woman’s handbag. I never took you for a family man.”
“How’d you find me?”
“Finding you was easy. It was figuring out that you kidnapped Hadley O’Sullivan’s daughters that took some time.”
Mary Nell held her breath. If Sam’s uncle Quinton knew, the police were probably not far behind. In a way she’d be glad this was over. But she didn’t want to go to jail.
“You’re not going to turn me in, are you?”
“Turn you in?” Quinton’s laugh seemed loud even behind the closed bathroom door. “I’m here to help.”
“I don’t need any help. I’ve got it all worked out. I was just about to call Hadley.”
“Your plans just changed. I’m taking over. I expect a 70/30 split. The seventy goes to me, of course.”
“I did all the work and took all the risks.”
“Doesn’t look to me like any money has crossed hands and you’re still hanging out waiting for the police to find you. Looks like you need a lot of help to me. How much ransom did you ask for?”
“Five million.”
Quinton emitted a low whistle. “Boy, I like the way you think.”
“I’m not a boy. I’m almost nineteen. I want fifty percent. That’s more than fair