Page 124 of Rescuing You

But he knew where it came from. He’d memorized Psalm 91 years before, back when he’d first joined the CIA. Because what he did was dangerous, and calling on God as Protector was never a bad idea. Now, he recited one verse in his head. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

God had gotten them this far. He had their backs.

Michael hated that he didn’t have a better plan, but Lesvos had been the only way out of Turkey.

The problem was, if he’d come to that conclusion, no doubt others had too. He doubted Brock had bothered to try to head him off, not after their conversation the morning before, but Leila and Jasmine’s enemies were close. He could feel it.

The only fast way off this island was by flight. The longer Michael, Leila, and Jasmine could avoid being seen between here and the airport terminal, the better.

He didn’t sleep, but the sisters did for a few hours. Even after they all woke up, they stayed hunkered out of sight until Michael got a text from Derrick around nine thirty in the morning.

We’re on the ground.

How long before you can take off again?

About an hour. There’s a wait to refuel.

Any food on board? We’re starving.

I’ll call Dominos.

Michael wasn’t in the mood for jokes but tapped back the standard “Haha,” then added,

Text when you’re ready to go. We’re thirty minutes out. We need to be wheels up as fast as possible once we’re on board.

The three dots flashed, telling him Derrick was considering a reply. But after a few seconds, Michael got a thumbs-up. Good thing, because he wasn’t about to explain.

Michael, Leila, and Jasmine shared the last protein bar and tried to get cleaned up without the benefit of running water. Not such an easy task while still wearing the makeup and wigs.

Derrick texted again less than an hour later.

We’re ready.

Walk to the door to the terminal and send me a pin. Wait for us there.

Because Michael had never been to this airport and didn’t know exactly where to go, and he sure didn’t want to pause to ask for directions. Again, those three dots danced. Michael was tapping a quick explanation, as if he had time for that, when Derrick’s reply came.

One sec.

Michael shouldered his pack and stood. “I’m going to get us a car. You two stay out of sight but be ready to go.”

Seated with her back against the wall, Leila yawned and stretched. “Any chance you could grab coffee on your way back?” By the humor in her voice, she was kidding. But also a little serious.

“They’ll have some on the plane. And food.” Probably not pizza, but he’d take whatever his brothers could rustle up.

He left the twins to gather their few belongings and brush sand off each other. At a break in the traffic, he hopped over the low retaining wall and walked toward the airport. He hadn’t put a pebble in his shoe to cause a limp—he might need to run—but used the cane he’d bought in Antalya as he meandered south toward the airport, just an old man out for a walk.

Which might look a little more authentic if not for the clouds that’d moved in overnight. The wind and scent of rain. Michael wasn’t that familiar with the weather in this part of the world, but he’d lived on the coast enough to recognize the signs. A storm was coming. He prayed it would hold off until he, Leila, and Jasmine were aboard Derrick’s Cessna and winging their way toward freedom.

It was a small airport. Tiny by most standards. From the road, the entrance veered off to his right and led to the terminal maybe seventy-five yards away. Cars were parked along both sides of the road. He saw no people, but even so, he had the distinct impression somebody was watching him.

Just an old man out for a walk.

Which a stranger might believe, as long as they didn’t watch him too long.

He figured Leila and Jasmine would expect him to return in a taxi or an Uber, but those weren’t really options. Instead, he searched for something suitable—meaning old.

He wasn’t exactly the grand-theft-auto type, certainly not twice in the same week. But was it really stealing if he returned it when he was done? Or was that more like borrowing-without-asking?