Page 5 of Jake

“I’ll fly into Popondetta and join you on your aircraft. Let me go for now so I can get on my way.”

I heard mother screaming at Dad in the background, she’d heard enough to know one of her sons was in danger.

“Let me know when you are about to depart, and I’ll be at the airport ready for your arrival.”

“Love you, son.”

The phone clicked as the call was disconnected.

I dialed the number of Tania’s hotel room and gave her a brief explanation of what had happened. Ten minutes after I hung up the phone, Quinn entered the house, and my phone rang once again.

I held a finger up to Quinn, urging him to stay silent.

“Masterton.”

“Connor, what do you need?” The gruff voice of Don Bonello sounded down the line.

“Sir, I have everyone I need, and Father is on his way. Thank you.”

“What time will you be at the airport?”

“Father said if all goes well, his plane should land a little after midnight.”

“I’ll meet you there.”

“Sir?”

The line was dead, and I didn’t bother calling him back. I figured two powerful Dons should send a message to whoever had Jake.

“What the fuck is going on, Connor?”

Quinn paled as I explained. “They’re dead. Them and their entire organization.”

I stayed silent as Quinn raged. There wasn’t really anything I could say since I felt the same way. I suspected this could be war but had no idea who it was to be against. Or why…

***

Present time

I stood on the tarmac watching as Father’s plane taxied to a stop not far from where our plane was parked, ready to leave. Father had been delayed by a storm that had forced them to land and spend more than three hours in Cairns. It was a little after four in the morning before the wheels of his aircraft touched down in Popondetta.

I made my way across the short distance between the aircraft with Quinn by my side. The steps were lowered into place and father appeared at the top. He noticed us immediately, descended the steps at the run, and hurried over.

Father took Quinn into his arms, an unusual display of affection from him, while I stood back. Then it was my turn to be engulfed in the arms of the man I’d always aspired to be like and respected.

It was following the hug that I looked up to see Mother standing a few metres away.

“Mother?”

I glanced at Father.

“She wouldn’t fucking stay behind and threatened to hire her own plane and go straight to Rabaul. It was easier to give in to her demands. One way or the other, she would have gone to Rabaul, and at least this way, we can protect her.”

Mother approached. One glance at her red, puffy eyes, and it was clear to see she’d been crying. When I opened my arms, she rushed into them. I held her as she cried and muttered about the arsehole being made to pay for touching one of her babies.

She was still crying when I turned her into Quinn’s arms. After a hug, Quinn wrapped an arm around her waist, and we all made our way to my waiting aircraft. Logan had started the engines when Father’s plane had arrived, and all was in readiness to leave.

Father and I stood back while Quinn led Mother up the stairs to board first. We then followed them inside. Don Bonello stood off to one side, waiting to meet my father.