“‘Anders and I?’” Cheyenne said with a teasing note to her voice. “Sounds like you’re a couple or something.”
“Hardly,” Molly scoffed but heat flushed her face.
On the ground, Anders reappeared from the far side of the plane. His eyes were hidden behind his Gucci sunglasses. A gust of wind caught his hair and toyed with the shaggy blond locks.
Molly scratched an itch on the tip of her nose and turned away from the window. Driving her fingers through her hair, she fluffed the wild curls. “You know, I always knew he was a great person, but he’s been amazing. Flying us all over tarnation and saving our butts when Wade tried to blow us up.”
“I still can’t believe you were almost blown up.”
“It’s all right, baby girl. Anders called Mitch last night. If anyone can deal with Wade, he can. I have faith in him. And Anders too. He’s not going to let anything bad happen to us.”
“You’ve really got it bad, Ma.”
Molly flushed. “I do not.”
“Yeah, you do.”
Anders looked up at the window and smiled when he saw her watching him. She caught her own reflection in the glass. Dressed in a flowy, sleeveless bohemian-style V-neck top with red floral print, a pair of well-worn jean shorts, and her backup pair of Keds, she realized she’d chosen the outfit because it flattered her figure. She could deny it until the cows came home, but she wanted to look good for him.
“We’re just friends,” Molly insisted.
The door opened behind her and a tall, thin Jamaican man dressed in a suit entered the room. Molly took a step back and bumped into the window before she realized it wasn’t Winston Wade. Another man followed behind the Jamaican.
“Mitch,” Molly exclaimed, nearly dropping the phone in her surprise. “I have to go. Have fun tonight. Thanks for calling.”
“Okay, Ma. See you tomorrow.”
Molly dropped her phone into her backpack as she beamed at Mitch. “What are you doing here?”
Mitch grinned through his thick handlebar mustache and opened his arms wide as he came toward her. “Is that how you greet the cavalry? Come here, red.”
Molly hugged him with enthusiasm. Tall, lean, and fit, he might look like an aging long-haired hippie, but Sophie’s father was a retired Navy SEAL and still as wily as they came. “It’s so great to see you. Anders is outside getting the plane ready.”
“We made it just in time then. I want you to meet my friend Sabato Banton.”
When Molly looked past Mitch to say hello, her smile faded. Mitch’s friend was standing by the door, but he wasn’t alone.
“What is she doing here?” The words were out of Molly’s mouth before she could stop them. She couldn’t help herself. Anders’ publicist was dressed in a short-sleeved navy jumpsuit looking sleek, professional, and overdressed for Jamaica.
“That’s a good question.” Anders stood at the top of the stairs leading down to the tarmac, his hand bracing the open door.
“Your label sent me.” Selena crossed her arms. “They’re concerned about your welfare.”
“They’re only concerned about their bank account. How did they know where I was?”
“There’s a paparazzo following you. He’s already published pictures of you walking through the airport with Molly yesterday along with more accusations about an affair.”
Oh, no. Guilt stabbed Molly in the stomach. The only thing worse than having an actual fling with Anders and losing his friendship would be not having one and ruining his reputation anyway.
“Damn it!” Anders’ curse twisted the knife handle impaling her a little deeper.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
Selena went on as if Molly hadn’t spoken. “And you blew off Elizabeth Warwick. So our plan to romance her into going easy on you is finished.”
Their plan? Molly frowned. He’d flirted with the reporter so she wouldn’t write a bad story about him? Molly didn’t know if she was relieved to hear the full story or disappointed he’d go along with something like that.
A muscle worked in his jaw as glanced away. “I’ll call her tomorrow and explain.”
“Forget it. You have bigger problems with that paparazzo on your trail.”
“Not to worry.” Sabato Banton stepped away from the wall. “I’ll find out where the photographer is staying. When he steps out of his room, I’ll have my nephew Romario remove his equipment from the premises.”
“I’d appreciate that.” Anders shut the door behind him and came into the room to shake Mitch’s hand. “Glad to see you. Thanks for coming on such short notice.”
“No thanks needed. We’re family now, aren’t we?” Patting Anders on the shoulder, Mitch turned back to his friend. “Sabato’s got some information on Cheyenne.”
“My connections spotted your girl boarding the Goddess of the Seas yesterday afternoon. The ship is on its way to Nassau.”
“Yes, we’ve heard from Cheyenne,” Molly said. “She’s safe for now. We’re on her way to meet her.”
“That’s good news.” Mitch grinned at Molly. “Can I talk you into calling the local Bahamanian authorities?”
Molly pressed her lips together grimly and shook her head. “No, I want to keep this quiet.”
Sabato’s gaze flickered to Mitch before returning to Molly. “There’s a man after her. His name is Winston Wade. He used to be a high-ranking member of the Jamaican special forces. Now he freelances for the underworld. He’s extremely dangerous.”
Molly folded her arms and squared her shoulders. “I know. We met Mr. Wade. He tried to blow us up last night.”
“What?” Selena pushed past Sabato to get to Anders. “Are you all right? You weren’t hurt, were you?” She squeezed his forearm. “This has gone too far. You’re risking your life for someone you hardly know. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Molly flinched but couldn’t argue with the woman. What she was saying was true. All of it.
Anders drove his fingers through his hair. “Don’t start, Selena. Please.”
“Just listen to reason for a moment. That’s all I ask.”
“For what it’s worth.” Mitch bent closer to Molly. “I’m in. I’ll help you get your daughter back, and I’ll deal with Wade when the time comes.”
Molly was so grateful for Mitch. Now that he was here, she technically didn’t need Anders. She didn’t have to put him in any more danger than she already had. But that meant saying goodbye to him much sooner than she expected. Disappointment mushroomed inside her chest. Ruthlessly ignoring it, she did what she had to do. “They’re right.” She turned to Anders. “You’ve done all that you can for me and Cheyenne. You can go home.”
Yanking his arm away from Selena, he stalked toward Molly and loomed over her frowning. “You still need me. How are you going to get to Jamaica or back to the U.S. without my help?”
Mitch leaned into the conversation. “You aren’t the only pilot in town. I can take it from here.”
Though he was replying to Mitch, Anders’ gaze remained fixed on Molly. The intense expression on his face was as formidable and unyielding as his body. “I appreciate your help, Mitch, but I’m not going anywhere.”
Molly’s heart leapt and then started to fill with hope. If Anders left, she could get through this without him but having his steady confidence by her side would make her feel so much better. She was afraid. So many things could go wrong between now and tomorrow. If wanting him to stay made her selfish then so be it.
“The label is not going to approve,” Selena insisted. “They won’t even let you ride a bicycle without a helmet. You’re worth millions to them.”
“And I’m insured.”
“You’re more valuable to them alive.”
“Too bad.” He started to turn away from her.
“You have no idea the kind of spot you’re putting me in here.”
Anders rounded on Selena and bellowed, “No one asked you to come.”
Everyone in the room grew quiet.
Selena stared at him bug-eyed and bewildered. Fidgeting awkwardly, she closed her gaping mouth as an afterthought.
Molly, stiffly observing from the sidelines, almost felt sorry for the woman even though she’d poked the bear and brought this on herself. But Selena seemed genuinely taken aback by Anders’ outburst. Probably because he was usually so calm and easygoing.
He was anything but at the moment. Tension tightened his shoulders and radiated off his body in waves. Big and muscular, he was pissed off in a way that would’ve intimidated the soup out of her if she hadn’t known him better.
Anders strode away from them, heading for the small continental breakfast buffet that had been set out for them and helped himself to a bottle of water.
Mitch snorted and said to Selena, “I told you coming here was a bad idea, but you wouldn’t listen.”
Molly got the sense Selena wanted to say something, but she wisely kept her mouth shut.
Anders leaned back against the counter. His anger seemed to deflate as he exhaled heavily and opened the water bottle. “Look, Fry. Molly and I can use all the support we can get. I’d like you to stay, but you’re going to have to get with the program. We’re going to the Bahamas to meet Cheyenne. Things could get dicey if Winston Wade finds out where she’s heading. You have a decision to make. Either come with us willingly and keep your opinions to yourself or head back to Key West and wait for me there.”
Selena stared at him, contemplating her response.
“About that…” Mitch hedged, bending forward slightly. Then he nodded toward Sabato, before pivoting to look at him. “You wanna tell them?”
The Jamaican puckered his lips and nodded sagely. “Winston Wade left Montego Bay this morning.” He paused, his gaze flickering to Molly. “On a flight bound for Nassau.”
Even though Mitch assured Molly they’d stop Winston Wade before he got within a hundred yards of the cruise ship, she had her doubts about how a treasure hunter, a famous country singer, and a worried mother were going to stop a professional killer. Mitch’s SEAL training was their ace in the hole though and evened the odds considerably. Parting with him in Montego Bay made Molly nervous, but he promised he’d meet up with them again in Nassau after he took care of some business in Jamaica.
Molly needed to use the restroom before they boarded the plane, so she hadn’t stuck around to find out what Selena decided. When Molly exited the airport and met Anders outside, she was relieved to see the publicist had left with Mitch. Anders was talking to a member of the ground crew while Obie climbed into his seat. The boy pulled the door closed before Molly could offer to help him. Not wanting to interrupt Anders’ conversation, she walked around to the far side of the plane to the front passenger seat. The doors opened out like a car but were higher off the ground. It was sorta like climbing up into a monster truck. She reached for the handle and yanked the door open.
Selena was sitting in Molly’s seat, typing on her phone. She didn’t glance up from the screen as she said in a bland tone, “Can I help you?”
Confused and mildly irritated, Molly frowned. “You’re in my seat.”
“Get over yourself, honey. This will never be your seat.”
“Excuse me?” Molly’s brows rose and her ire jumped a few more notches.
Anders called to Molly. “Ready to go?”
She shut her mouth and stepped back. Fuming, she opened the rear passenger door and climbed in next to Obie, who watched her with a concerned expression. She gave him a bright smile. “Come on, let’s get you buckled.”
The pilot’s door opened and Anders climbed in. Settling in his seat, he looked over at Selena, then shifted to look back at Molly. The expression on his face clearly said, “What gives?”
Molly shrugged and sat back with her arms folded, making her unhappiness with the seating arrangements clear.
A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. He shot her an intimate wink.
She felt it low in her belly. Clenching her thighs, she shifted uncomfortably.
His grin widened.
She stuck out her tongue.
He chuckled and faced forward again, flicking switches on the control panel.
The private wink almost made Molly feel better about being evicted from her seat. If Selena was paying attention, she might have seen it. Hoping she had, Molly smiled smugly. It was clear the woman didn’t like her, but she didn’t have to be so rude about it. Anders would be back in Nashville soon enough, and Selena wouldn’t need to worry about Molly ruining his reputation, getting him blown up, or seducing him into bed. Nope. That last one was definitely not going to happen anyhow, but it didn’t hurt to make Selena squirm.
Molly glanced at Obie and did a double take when she found the boy grinning at her. Questioning the silly smile, she puckered her brow. In an impressive imitation of his father, Obie winked at her. A bubble of laughter escaped her throat. She rubbed the top of his blond head, messing his hair. He giggled and pulled away from her, returning to the game on his iPad.
The Ostergaard men were determined to make her feel better and it was working.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Flying had always been a form of therapy for Anders. The flight from Jamaica to the Bahamas had given him time to clear his head and think about what he wanted out of life. At twenty, he’d wanted to be somebody. He wanted a way to meet women and get laid as often as possible. And he wanted money and success. Not fame. He’d never wanted fame, but that had been part of the package when he decided to pursue a career in country music. At thirty, he’d wanted his freedom. He wanted out of his marriage. He wanted another platinum record and he wanted to be the biggest country music superstar the world had ever known. He’d achieved those goals and then some.
Now, at thirty-eight, his priorities were changing again. He hadn’t taken the time to acknowledge that, which was more than likely why he’d been so restless lately. As they crossed the Windward Passage between Cuba and Hispaniola, he reached some conclusions and set some new goals.
For starters, he wanted to help Obie get over his shyness, and the only way to accomplish that would be to keep the kid with him from here on out. Greer was just going to have to deal with it. Honesty, he didn’t expect her to put up much of a fight. These days, she was too focused on her career to waste her time antagonizing him. Secondly, as soon as he got back to the States, he was going to hire the best PI in the business to find out the truth about Casey Conway’s death. He’d left it in the hands of the Vegas police for long enough and the only thing they’d turned up was a sketchy suspect with a dubious motive. Anders wouldn’t be able to make peace with what happened to Casey until her killer was brought to justice. Lastly, he was going to take the rest of the year off and stick around Key West. Maybe work on a new record or audition a few acts for the indie label he’d been thinking about starting. His good pal Jimmy Buffet had a full-blown recording studio in town and he’d offered to rent it out to Anders any time he wanted.
Anders’ reason for wanting to stay in Key West a little while longer had nothing to do with a certain feisty redhead, he told himself. He had enough on his plate as it was and he couldn’t promise her more than a few great months. A little voice in the back of his head said maybe that would be enough. But, somehow, he didn’t reckon it would be and that concerned him.
“Did they just say there’s a hurricane heading this way?” Selena’s voice came through the headset.
Anders turned the radio up to listen to the air traffic controller repeat the severe weather advisory. “Attention all aircraft, Nassau tower. Flight conditions expected to deteriorate over next twenty-four hours. Cat.1 hurricane on course for NAS. Wind shear already affecting east runway. Standby for instructions.”
“A baby hurricane.” Anders made light of it, hoping to ease some of the panic he’d heard in her voice. He also didn’t want to frighten Obie, who was listening on his own headset. “If we’re still on the island when it makes landfall tomorrow afternoon, it
’ll blow right over us.”
“As long as Cheyenne’s ship arrives safely ahead of the storm.” Molly’s husky drawl, sexy as hell, came through the headset, making the base of his spine tingle. “I’d gladly ride out the storm in Nassau as long as my baby girl is safe in my arms.”
Selena’s voice seemed abrasive in comparison. “You do what you want, but Anders and I are leaving for the States as soon that ship arrives. He has a press conference in Miami on Tuesday.”
“Since when?” Anders balked. “You never mentioned anything to me about a press conference.”
Selena’s eyes were on her phone. She turned the screen toward him. “I just found out myself. Your record label set it up. They cc’d me in the email they sent you. They want you to make a public statement about Casey Conway’s death and dispel the negative rumors that you were involved because she found out you were cheating on her with a groupie. They wrote the statement for you.”
“Damn it,” he muttered under his breath. “Write them back and tell them to move the press conference to Key West and make it Thursday. And copy me.”
“Fine,” Selena said, not sounding fine about it at all, but typed back a reply.
“I am not a groupie,” Molly grumbled in the headset. “When are they gonna let that go?”
“I’m sorry about all this, darlin’.” Anders truly regretted getting her mixed up in his problems. The only thing she was guilty of was bad timing. She didn’t deserve to be persecuted by the media for something that had nothing to do with her. “I’m going to do that press conference just so I can set the record straight.”
“The label will expect you to read what they wrote,” Selena insisted.
“I’ll say what I want to say and nobody is going to stop me.” Anders’ grip tightened on the yoke.
Selena turned off her cell phone and neatly tucked it away in her purse. She was a tough cookie, but she had her limits. Anders realized she was only trying to do her job. “Look. I know you worry about me, but Molly did nothing wrong here and everyone keeps trying to somehow blame her for what happened to Casey.”
Bahama Mama Page 24