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Forty-nine

“THE AIRPARK is straight ahead,” their Uber driver said. “Remember, ask for Randy. He’s the best pilot there.”

“Thank you so much,” Riley said. “But I don’t see the airfield?” Only a mesa.

“It’s on a plateau, so you can’t see it from the highway, but we’ll be there in two minutes. Fast, like you said.”

Greyson handed the man a cash tip when they stopped.

“Thank you. Randy with Free Air is in the last hangar.” He pointed down the narrow row—too narrow for cars to maneuver down. The only cars on site were in a small lot at the beginning of the row.

“Thanks again,” Riley said, climbing out.

Grey lifted his eyes. “Ready for a run?”

She bounced back and forth from foot to foot. “I’ve got so much adrenaline coursing through me that a run will do me good.”

A plane engine thundered.

They looked at each other and bolted into a run. Just over the rise, a Cessna Skyhawk roared down the airstrip.

“No!” Riley said, heat searing her limbs as they raced forward.

The Cessna gained speed and soared into the air.

She slowed her run, Grey beside her. Her chest rose and fell with the heightened breaths. “I hope that wasn’t them, but...”

“With an airfield this small and the same kind of plane as the one shown online...” Grey said.

A man, their man according to the Uber driver, strode out of the last hangar and took a long sip from a mug. He wore a Red Sox baseball hat, a white T-shirt, and jeans. His gaze followed the bird in the sky until it vanished into the clouds.

“Our guy,” Ri said, pointing at the man.

Grey nodded, falling in step beside her as they hurried across the tarmac. “On a full tank of gas, a Cessna Skyhawk has a distance of around six hundred miles. So we’re talking max flying time of four hours, maybe less.”

“How many hours is Vegas from here?” She slipped her hair over her shoulder, grabbed the hair binder off her wrist, and whipped it up into a ponytail.

Grey blew out a breath. “I’d wager a little over an hour.”

They came to a stop in front of Randy.

“Can I help you folks?”

“We’re looking for a flight. Our Uber driver said to ask for you.”

“Where are you two headed?” he asked before taking another sip.

“We aren’t positive,” Grey said, explaining situation.

“Huh.” A curious expression blanketed Randy’s face. “I’ve never met PIs before. Kind of cool.”

“Any chance you know where their pilot took them?” Grey asked.

“Yeah.” Randy took another sip of the steaming liquid, then met Grey’s gaze. “Vegas.”

“I knew it,” Riley said, fear tracking through her at the very name.

Heated frustration stiffened her body. Why did she still allow it to affect her so?

“We’d like a ride there,” Greyson said, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Silently letting her know he had her.

“I’ll get the plane ready,” Randy said. “Be ready to roll in ten.”

“Thanks.” Grey shook the man’s hand and then paid him.

“Y’all can take a seat if you like.” He gestured to two metal folding chairs Riley hadn’t even noticed. Adrenaline burned her limbs, anxiety rattling her. She couldn’t sit still if her life depended on it.

“I’m going to make a quick call,” Grey said, pulling out his phone. “I think your brothers should join us.”

“I can face this on my own.” Well, with him. After the Lord, who was her ultimate rock, Greyson had become a rock for her too. Even if he didn’t believe they could be together, he’d go to any lengths to protect her, regardless of their relationship status. She trusted in that and in him.

He rested a hand on her shoulder. “I know you can do it alone, but the fact is you don’t have to.”

“Neither do you,” she said.

He held her gaze, a deep expression passing across his features, and then a soft smile curled on his lips.

A smile? Interesting.

“Besides,” he continued, “we’ve got a big city to comb. Having two more feet on the ground will help. We need to catch up to them before Brent does. He won’t stop hunting them.”

Taking a steadying breath, she nodded. Having her brothers there would be a blessing.

As Greyson guessed, the flight to Vegas took just over an hour, and as they cruised above the strip, a flood of horrid memories pummeled over her, threatening to drown her.

“I’ve got you,” Greyson whispered in her ear as he clutched her hand.

She held on tight, her stomach quaking. The old hollow feeling in her gut that she’d carried as a child came rushing back, and they hadn’t even landed yet.

Focus on the case , God whispered to her soul. I’ve got you. Even when your mother and father forsake you , I will take care of you.

A sliver of peace penetrated her tortured heart.

Focus on the case .

Grey was right. They had to track Kelly and Jared down in Vegas or they’d be looking for a needle in a massive wilderness. Time was not on their side.