Banished Souls MC (28 page)

Chapter 17

Lydia

"You knew my paranoia would pay off in spades, one day, didn't you, sister mine?" Mary said, her image crisp and clear on Paul's phone. Now that the jammer was off, Lydia was able to call Mary.

And Lydia was very happy to see her.

"How did you know we were in trouble?" Lydia asked. She glanced up at the beach.

The chopper had landed on the beach, and marines had secured the prisoners. In the distance, a United States Navy frigate had just made anchor not far from Oswald's own boat.

Mary laughed. "My dear, when you said you had something very, very important to tell me, and that I had to listen, only then to have the connection cut off, I suspected something was amiss. I tried your number many times. And when that didn't work, I tried Paul's phone. And when that didn't work I went into full panic mode. I called his assistant, who called someone in the government, who contacted the navy, and, well, there you are."

Lydia grinned at her sister. "Sister, mine. You can be as paranoid as you want. Don't ever stop." Lydia glanced up to see Paul talking to one of the marines. He then started to walk over to her.

"So tell me," Mary said, her voice all conspiratorial. "Is he handsome or what?"

"Who's that?" Paul said, walking over to stand next to Lydia.

"Oh!" Mary cried in surprise.

Lydia laughed and pointed the phone at Paul. "Paul, this is my sister Mary. Mary this is Paul Morgan. He's very talented at cutting ropes."

"Nice to meet you Mary. And thanks for bringing us the cavalry,"  Paul said, smiling into the phone. Lydia knew the effect this would have on her sister.

"Oh, my!" Mary said. "Such a pleasure to meet you... Oh, ropes? Cutting? What are you not telling me, Lydia!"

Lydia and Paul both laughed.

"I'll call you once we make it back to the main island. I promise."

"Of, course. Take your time, I understand. But, you must know, I am absolutely starving for details!" Mary said.

"And you will get them," Lydia said. "Bye for now." She signed off and looked to Paul. He looked a lot more relaxed than he had a short while ago, tied up on the beach.

Paul smiled at her. "They're searching the island for Oswald's other men. I don't think it will be much of a problem for these guys." He looked over at the marines who were now loading the prisoners onto the chopper.

Oswald was about to step on board when he looked in Lydia and Paul's direction. He grimaced.

Lydia waved, and Oswald vanished into the helicopter.

"Now what?" she asked Paul.

He stepped closer to her, and eased his arms around her. She liked it. She really liked it. He beamed down at her.

"Well, I think we have some unfinished business to attend to."

Lydia's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? After all of this, you still want this island?"

Paul blinked, then looked around at the jungle as if seeing this place for the first time. "Oh, yeah. Right." He looked back down at her. "I just consider the island a bonus. I already found what I really wanted."

Lydia smiled at him.

Then he leaned forward and they kissed.

End.