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“And I’ripping Allister’s shoulder

“He can press charges,” Allister said stubbornly

Mac’s face turned red He’d obviously had enough of this nonsense “Let’s all travel together For once think of Ellie”

Allister snarled “When don’t I think of Ellie?”

“The trip is important to her, hon” Markie played devil’s advocate “Everyone is here now and most of ’em are already on the plane You can stay behind, and chances are this dude will press charges You’ll go to jail Make bail Andto add a touch of theatrics, he quickly added, “That is if you’re even per to balk about”

“Ellie’s not getting off that plane You kno stubborn she is,” Mac pointed out “And chances are, this fella can have you hauled out of here and he’ll still board without so ht”

“He’s right, baby boy,” Markie said, nodding rapidly in agreement

Allister snarled “I swear, if he so much as lays a hand on her, I’ll—”

“You’ll let us handle it,” Mac told him in a firm voice “Now come on, bro Let’s start this vacation It’s party time”

The stranger saluted Allister with one finger, a esture “No worries, Mr McCall It was an accident”

As Allister walked ahead of them, Mac and Markie looked back at Mr Jones He had a peculiar blank look on his face The only way to describe the ht suspicious All play had immediately left his expression The charade was over

It was then when Markie realized—the man possessed two faces andthey’d soon find out all about them

Chapter Two

They quickly gained altitude and the pilot’s voice filled the aircraft “Looks like it’s about sixty-eight degrees on the ground in Atlanta We should be pulling up to our gate in about seventywith us today Sit back and enjoy your flight”

It would be a cold day in hell before Allister remained in his seat He’d warned Mr Seth Jones before he ever ate