Page 408 of The Romance Adventure

I’m not done yet, but keep that to myself. CJ is certainly up to the task of facing my father and his men, but I’m not sure about the rest of them. I have a plan in place. No matter what happens, they won’t be left in the field, er, ocean, without backup.

“You’ll be waiting right here for me to come back, right?” CJ asks.

I smile, but I’m not sure and that breaks my heart.

He leans in and plants a soft kiss on my lips. I give back, give more and I’m afraid it’ll be the last one.

Von Dräger is the head of a terrible snake, but he has allies all over, and like a hydra of mythology, they have the potential to multiply. Surely, they’ll come for me. If I continue to associate with CJ and the rest of the McGregors, I’m putting them at risk.

It’s time for me to be in the wind.

CJ

CHAPTER 20

It’s time for me to meet everyone at the Driftwood. I kiss Jolie one more time. And then again. Then she gets a third kiss because I don’t want to leave her.

As I get in the Jeep, she waves from the porch and something clenches inside, tugs deep. Ah, that’s my intuition. Why does this seem like more of a goodbye than a normal, I’ll be home by dinner, see you later kind of goodbye?

For one, I’m going on a mission, so that’s kind of a big deal. Also, there’s a very good chance we’ll find our parents. That’s an even bigger deal.

But this sense has to do with my wife, who’s not coming with me.

We were on. Now it feels like we’re off.

Like things are ending, and when I get back from this trip, they’ll be over.

Or I’m getting way too much into my head right now.

This is a moment of doubt when my focus should be on the mission. But Jolie is all I can think about because I want my wife and my family. Both. But that’s too much. Perhaps our relationship was a means to this end. Not to say it wasn’t worthwhile in its own right, but she was placed in my life for this very reason—to rescue my parents.

My thoughts spin round and round as I drive through town and park in the big lot behind the Driftwood.

As I round the corner to meet my brothers and the others on the steps, I overhear Magnus saying, “There is more to CJ than meets the eye. Don’t underestimate him. But Jerkovic is no slouch. We have to be careful. For that reason, I vote Lally, Harley, and Isla stay behind.”

I can picture the protests now, but the women remain quiet and wave at me as I approach. “Are we ready?”

Everyone nods.

But am I?

“The courier is bringing Jerkovic the fake postcard from Lorena?”

“Check,” Harley says.

“I still don’t understand that move,” Isla says. “Won’t that mean Jerk-o-whatever will be expecting us?”

“He’ll be expecting us or a kindly older woman who’s had enough of hiding treasure for one lifetime and wants her family back,” I answer.

“What about Captain J? Won’t that put him on our tails?” Lally asks.

“That’s the hope.”

Magnus is the only one whose expression looks like he has the full picture and maybe that’s by design too. I’m used to working solo or with small groups of covert operators. With so many moving parts, we can’t risk anything going wrong. The less everyone knows, the better.

“The faux pearl, the diamond, and the red coral are in place?” I ask.

Isla nods. “Check.”