Page 57 of Maximus

Max chuckled. “It’s only just over fifteen hundred kilometers to Athens. Considering an average headwind and the extra weight per male in the plane, we’ll make it with just over one hundred kilometers of gas to spare.”

Smith turned to stare at Max. “Why? Did I have to know that? Couldn’t you have just said we’ll be fine?”

Val laughed and patted her husband’s back. “We’ll be fine, dear.”

Malice narrowed his eyes. “Did you count our luggage? I’m not leaving this rifle. Anya made it for me, and I’ll be damned if it stays.”

“Cargo and fuel were calculated into the equation.” Max shook his head. “Do you think I would get in if I didn’t know it would make it?”

“Probably,” both Reaper and Malice said.

Elena laughed and squeezed his hand. “I believe in your calculations.”

“And you’re the only one who matters.”

“Hey, I matter,” Val said.

“Not to him,” Malice quipped.

“That’s not nice,” Val pouted.

“Here she comes.” Max watched the small plane land and taxi up to them. They stowed Malice’s weapon in the cargo hold, then entered the plane. Within three minutes, they were airborne again. Max looked down as Grandmother opened the gate for her goats. The pilot kept them low, under any radar detection capability, and they flew that way until they were out of Russian airspace. After that, they reached a comfortable cruising altitude and headed east. Elena slept against his shoulder as the day stretched on. As the lights of Athensappeared under them, he woke her. “We’re almost there.” He pointed at the lights below.

“The first step of our new life.” She smiled excitedly. He studied her face. She was the most beautiful thing in the world, and he’d spend his life proving that fact to her.

“Our first step until our last on this earth. My heart is yours, forever.” He kissed her softly, sealing his vow.

EPILOGUE

TEN YEARS LATER

Malice walkedthrough the crowded Atlanta airport. He’d missed his plane due to the weather and had three or four hours to kill. Sitting on those pieces of shit plastic chairs was akin to killing himself, so he walked and observed people. It was a habit he’d honed through the years. He frowned and stopped. Turning around, he met the eyes of a man he hadn’t seen in years, although he’d heard him a couple of times when he was on particularly dicey missions.

“Max?” Malice walked over to him and extended his hand. “Damn, good to see you again.”

Max smiled and extended his hand. “You aren’t supposed to be here. Did you miss your plane?”

“Weather.” Malice chuckled. “I won’t ask how you knew that.”

“Smart decision,” Max agreed.

“Daddy, Daddy!” A small girl ran up to Max.

“Hey, princess. Where’s Momma?”

“She’s right there.” The girl pointed to Elena. The woman’s eyebrows popped up when she saw Malice. She walked up with a smaller boy in her arms. “Mal, it’s good to see you again.”

“Elena, you look wonderful.” Mal kissed her cheek. “I take it married life agrees with both of you.”

“It does indeed,” Max said. “Honey, there are four seats available over there. Could you give us a minute to catch up?”

“Absolutely. Come on, sweetie. We’ll go over and read a book.”

“You’ll come soon?” the little girl asked her dad as he set her down.

“Yes. Very soon,” Max agreed, and Malice watched as Max tracked his family to their seats.

“How old are they?”