Chapter 2 - THE MAN WAITING AT LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL
The plane landed at 9:17 p.m.
Maya woke as we taxied toward the gate.
“Mommy?”
I brushed hair from her forehead.
“I'm here, sweetheart.”
She looked around.
“Are we at Cousin Jenny's?”
“Almost.”
She hugged her rabbit.
“Good.”
I tried to smile.
My phone had been vibrating for hours.
Forty-three missed calls.
Twenty-six messages.
All from Richard.
The latest read:
You think I don't know where you're going?
My blood ran cold.
Then another message appeared.
Terminal B. I'm waiting.
I stopped breathing.
Dante noticed immediately.
“What happened?”
I showed him the screen.
His expression hardened.
Marco approached.
“Boss?”
Dante handed him the phone.
“Find out whether he's here. Coordinate with airport security.”
Marco nodded and stepped away.
I looked at Dante.
“I can't let him take Maya.”
“He can't simply take her because he demands it.”
I swallowed.
“He has lawyers.”
“Then you need one too.”
I looked down.
“I have eighty-seven dollars.”
Dante studied me.
Then said, “I know an attorney who handles domestic violence and custody cases.”
I shook my head.
“I can't afford—”
“She works with a legal aid organization.”
I stared.
Dante continued.
“You don't have to owe me anything.”
For the first time in months, I felt something unfamiliar.
Relief.
Then Marco returned.
His face was grim.
“Boss. He's here.”
Dante stood.
“Where?”
“Outside the arrivals area.”
May you like
Marco hesitated.
“And he's not alone.”
