Page 63 of Broken
“We’re going today,” Prescott said with enthusiasm. “Your mommy needs to stay with the doctors. But we’ll have fun, right?”
“I have complete confidence in you,” Z said. “You’re my rock, Prescott.”
TWO HOURS LATER,Prescott climbed the stairs, Ethan in his arms, and boarded his private jet.
“It’s sooo big,” Ethan exclaimed.
“Have you even flown on an airplane?” Prescott asked.
“Nuh-uh. Where is the people?”
“This is my plane, so it’s just us and two pilots. Do you want to see where they fly the jet?”
Prescott set down the diaper bag and made his way through the cabin toward the cockpit. There, he waited until the pilots finished talking.
“Good to see you, Mr. Armstrong,” said the pilot. “Who’s this little guy?”
“My nephew, Ethan.”
The pilot asked if Ethan wanted to sit on his lap and look out the window.
Ethan wrapped his small arms around Prescott. “No, fank you.”
Prescott’s heart expanded as he hugged the child back. “Ethan, these two pilots fly the airplane in the sky.”
“Okay,” Ethan replied.
Prescott tossed them a nod. “Safe flight.”
“We’ll be taking off shortly,” said the female copilot.
Prescott returned to the cabin and set Ethan in a leather chair by the aisle before sitting next to him. He buckled him in, then tightened the strap. There was so much strap leftover… and that’s when it hit him. Ethan was small, helpless, and completely dependent on Prescott to look after him. His guts churned.
Z’s right. I need to hunt down the monster who stole my sister’s life and make him pay for what he’s done.
Determination streaked through him. He would do whatever it took to bring Jack back with him.
We will find this killer.
Ethan slipped his thumb into his mouth. “I’m cold.”
Prescott pulled a blanket from the overhead bin and covered him. “Better?”
“Can I sit on your lap?”
“Not yet, buddy. You have to stay buckled until that light up there goes off, then you can sit on my lap.”
Tears filled Ethan’s eyes as the plane taxied toward the runway.
Fuck the rules.
After unbuckling him, Prescott pulled Ethan onto his lap.
“I love flying,” Prescott said. “If I had enough time, I’d get my pilot’s license and fly the airplane myself. Uncle Nicky’s a pilot… one of the best.”
Ethan looked out the window as the plane started gaining speed.
“This is my favorite part,” Prescott said. “We’re gonna fly like a bird, buddy. Fly like a bird.”
