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"Until then, we’re dead in the water," Landon said

"We have until toht," I added quietly

"What do youbetween Madagascar and Abu Dhabi If Pax isn’t back on board, he’llis terrades are just another probleo home tomorrow if that would keep him safe"

Landon wrapped his ar, his taller, lankier fra hoainstwe can, Leah There’s nothing on’t do, no line on’t cross to get hiears in al ones He was Paxton Wilder, for crying out loud! His father was the head of ato kill hi to lay down for a bit," I said, forcing a severyone out but Penna

"He’s going to be okay," she prootten into before"

"In foreign countries?" I asked

"Well, ine anything happening to him I love him" My voice broke

Her eyes softened "You know he feels the sah he’d never said the words, I felt it every ti "Yeah, I think so He’s never said it or anything I’ it"

She nodded "His parents’ divorce…what happened…" she trailed off

"I know about the girl About what happened the last time he tried to have a real relationship"

Penna’s eyes flared in surprise and then she smiled "I know he’s not perfect, but he cares about you in a way I’ve never seen him with anyone"

"He loves me," I said quietly "He loves me" I repeated with more conviction "He doesn’t have to say the words for theive up on hi what I had to do, and what it ed lad he found you"

I nodded, unable to say anything else for fear I’d tell her what I was about to do With one final squeeze, she leftthe door behind her as she left

Without hesitation, I opened Pax’s nightstand drawer first, pulling out his international cell phone, and then dug through my flex file of cruise papers to find the number I’d hidden The card felt heavier now than it had when I’d taken it