Page 124 of Stains of Desire

Axel's head snaps backward, and he laughs. "What did you do?"

"It was super cool. And we marked it off our bucket lists," Julieta claims.

"Ahh. It's about time you made a dent in yours," Axel says.

"Do you have one?" Julieta asks.

"Mine's pretty short. I've been crossing items off for a while. Ryker has some catching up to do."

"On it." Ryker grins and pulls Julieta closer to him. "Have you been in Honduras this entire time?"

Axel's face falls. "No, man. Nicaragua."

"What? Why?"

"After the earthquake, we had to get passports and..."

The woman returns on the loudspeaker and announces the final call for the plane.

"That's us," Ryker says.

"See you on the other side," Axel replies, and they embrace.

Julieta and I hug each other, and Ryker kisses me on the cheek.

"See you tomorrow," Julieta chirps, and she and Ryker go stand at the back of the line.

We watch them give their tickets to the flight attendant and step into the jetway. The door closes, and I turn to Axel. "They look happy."

He nods and grins. "Yeah. Ryker deserves it."

"Why? What happened?"

While we wait for our flight, he tells me about how Ryker's wife struggled with cancer for fifteen years and passed away.

It makes me happier Julieta and he found each other. And it further strengthens my belief that Millie will be rescued and we can have our happily ever after, too.

We get on the plane. The entire way, Axel and I make out. As we land, I stare out the window at the turquoise water and pink sand. The vision of Millie sitting in Julieta's lap and singing with Zoe is so clear.

We've made it.

Now we can concentrate on finding my baby.

We get off the plane and almost get to the end of the corridor when an immigration officer steps in front of us. "Excuse me, ma'am. I need you to come with us."

Axel tightens his arm around my waist. "What for?"

My pulse increases, and my insides shake.

"Not you. Just her."

"She doesn't go anywhere without me."

The passengers on the flight shove past us, and one bumps into my back. I step toward the officer, and Axel pulls me back.

Another officer joins us. He pulls out his handcuffs. "We were hoping not to do this here, but since you aren't cooperating with us."

Axel steps in front of me. "What are you attempting to arrest her for?"