"Keep your eyes on the white cab ahead if you don't want to get your eyes ripped out of their sockets," Zion threatened, gesturing sharply at the cab in front of them.
A few minutes later, Joey's cab came to a halt in front of Longrich Hotel. As she strolled toward the glass entrance, she stole a quick glance above her shoulders. Joey's heart pounded hard against her chest when she saw Zion's and his companions' cab screeched to a stop behind her.
"Just a few more minutes and I'll get all of you off my tail for good," Joey muttered to herself, gripping the strap of her handbag tighter. A wave of relief washed over her as she realized she was only moments away from reclaiming her freedom.
As soon as Zion saw Joey heading toward the underground club entrance at Longrich Hotel, he immediately dialed Carlos' line, the one left behind to watch the salon.
"We're at Longrich Hotel right now. Get here ASAP. We need more hands on this," Zion ordered the second Carlos answered. He hung up before Carlos could reply.
…
Back at the salon, the air was still, almost eerily. The scent of disinfectant clung faintly in the hair. Rebecca sat on edge, her handbag on one of the tables in front of her.
She tossed aside the cleaning towels in her hand and grabbed the bag the moment she saw Carlos dart out from his hiding spot.
"Well done, Joey," she murmured, a grin tugging at the corner of lips. "I knew I could count on you somehow."
Without delay, she pushed through the salon door and stepped into the cool night. She followed the route she had mapped out, avoiding busy streets, staying out of sight, and slipping into a series of alleyways where there were no cameras or cars.
….
At the hospital, Timberlake sat on a chair, a gray laptop balanced on his thigh as he typed away. His head jerked toward the door the instant he heard someone slip in.
"What the~"
"Sshh…" Rebecca placed a finger to her lips, silently motioning toward the sleeping boy on the hospital bed in the far corner.
Timberlake closed the laptop and rushed to her side.
"How did you get here? You said he was watching your every move, making it impossible to get away. Are you hurt? Did something happen?" he asked in disbelief.
His sharp eyes scanned her face, arms and legs for injuries.
"Sweet Peanut is fast asleep. Let's talk outside before we wake him," Rebecca whispered.
Timberlake nodded, falling in step with her as they slipped into the quiet hallway.
There under the soft hospital lightning, Rebecca recounted everything that had happened in vivid detail. Timberlake couldn't help but applaud when he heard how cleverly she'd pulled off her escape.
"I can't believe you outsmarted those freak elite men with a single move," he grinned, slipping a hand into the pocket of his baggy gray trousers. His eyes lingered on Rebecca, who returned his smile.
"I wish I could be there to see the look on his face when he finds out he was duped," Timberlake said, chuckling.
Just picturing Maxwell's furious expression when he discovered everything was a carefully planned sham made Timberlake laugh even harder.
"And trust me," Rebecca replied playfully, "he won't hesitate to shoot you in the head the moment he sees you. He won't let you have the last laugh."
She turned, her words hanging in the air as she headed back into Jeremy's room.
…
"Momma!"
Jeremy's face lit up with joy, his tiny arms already reaching for her as he prepared to get out of bed, IV dangling dangerously from his hand.
"Hey, stay right where you are," she said, rushing to his side.
Before she could even sit, Jeremy knelt on the bed and wrapped his tiny arms tightly around her neck like he never wanted to let go.
"My Sweet Peanut," Rebecca whispered, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Momma's missed you more with each passing day."
A single tear rolled down her cheek, falling onto Jeremy's bare neck.
Suddenly, he pulled away as if he'd been burned, leaving both Timberlake and Rebecca stunned.
"Are you okay, Sweet Peanut?" Rebecca reached out to touch his face, only for him to gently swat her hand away.
"Are you upset...?"
"I'm sorry, Momma," Jeremy said softly. He reached up and wiped her tears from her cheeks. "I promise to be a good boy from now on, so don't be sad again, okay?"
His voice was gentle, but firm… too wise for his years. Rebecca's heart ached. She had forgotten how deeply he felt things, how much he hated to see her cry.
This was all Maxwell's fault. Days of torment had cracked her spirit.
"Hey, I'm not sad, Sweet Peanut," Rebecca reassured him, flashing her sweetest smile. "I'm happy. So, so happy to be with you again. Seeing your sweet face again makes Momma's heart full."
She placed a hand over her chest and scooted closer, pulling him in for another hug.
"Look who's finally talking huh," Timberlake teased, watching the boy cling to Rebecca without letting go.
"And here I thought I was your favorite. Did I just get scammed?" Timberlake joked, pretending to frown as he playfully ruffled Jeremy's neatly styled hair.
"I see someone's asking to be arrested for grand theft," Rebecca laughed, her joy echoing through the room as she held her son tightly.
…
The next day, Maxwell, dressed in a fitted black T-shirt and matching trousers, stormed into Longrich Hotel with ten men at his back. His eyes blazed, jaw tight, fury radiating from every inch of his frame.
He ignored Zion's attempted greeting at the door and marched directly to the reception desk.
"Get your manager here. Now," he ordered coldly, not sparing a glance at the three receptionists behind the counter.
"Who are you~"
"The last person who made me repeat myself is lying in a hospital bed with two bullets in his legs," Maxwell interrupted, his voice like ice. "I wonder how many a fragile woman like you can take."
His cold, dead stare made all three women tremble in fear.
...
Kindly support the book with your Golden Tickets, gifts, comments and reviews.