by Leigh James
“Yes. He’s with a guard, and there are two other cars. There are five men total in his security detail.”
“Does he have the address for where he’s going to wait?” Levi asked. Levi had spent more than an hour on the phone with me earlier, coaching me and running over the final details. But Gabe hadn’t spoken with him—probably so Levi couldn’t try to talk him out of following me.
“Once we get to the airport exit, he’s going to turn into one of the first office parks. He promised.”
“He’d better do it.” Levi grunted. “The area is clear so far. The FBI checked in. They set up at an alternate site. They haven’t seen anything suspicious—there’s no sign of Li Na’s crew yet.”
My mouth had gone dry. “Okay.”
“I’m not going to let anything happen to you or your sister. You need to get her into the car, okay? Just like we talked about.”
I swallowed hard. “I know. I will.”
“Let’s run through it one last time,” Levi continued. “As soon as Hannah’s inside the car, tell Li Na’s security that you have the keys in your pocket, that you forgot to leave them for her. Show them the keys so they believe you. And then walk to the driver’s side to approach your sister. If they try to get her back out of the car to get the keys, give them hell. Tell them you don’t want her to be vulnerable. That’s when we’ll come out. As soon as you see us or if you hear gunfire, get in that car with Hannah and get the hell out of there. Don’t even look back. We’ll have a team waiting to follow you out. Get to Gabe, okay?”
I nodded, mostly to reassure myself. “Got it. Have you been to the actual office park yet? Is anyone there?”
“We’re here. It’s empty. The offices are closed today, so the parking lot’s vacant. The FBI’s around, like I said, but they set up their own surveillance spot. They haven’t seen anything either.”
I gripped the steering wheel, my palms sweaty. “Okay. I’ll see you soon.”
“If everything goes according to plan, you won’t see me until we’re back at your place, having a celebratory drink with your sister.”
He hung up, and I checked the GPS. Twenty more minutes—almost there.
Fifteen minutes later, my phone rang again—it was Levi. “They’re here. I’m not going to get in touch again, because I’m going to be on the ground. There’re two cars. Two armed men, that I can see.”
“And Hannah? Can you see her?”
“They haven’t brought her out. Stick to the plan, Lauren. You won’t see me, but I’ll be out there—don’t be afraid.”
I followed the signs to Oakland International Airport. I checked my rearview mirror and could still plainly see Gabe’s silver sports car, flanked by the rest of his team. By the next time I checked, they were gone. I took a deep, shaky breath as I maneuvered the car down the road to the airport, carefully reading the signs, looking for Langham Place.
Before I felt ready, the exit came into view. I pulled into the massive, mostly empty parking lot and headed for Building 900. Two cars were parked in the lot over to the side. Heart pounding, I headed for them. I checked my mirrors again. Gabe had kept his word. He wasn’t following me. And as promised, Levi and his team were completely out of sight.
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Two men stood outside the parked cars. Both were tall and thickly built. I squinted at the cars as I stopped and shifted mine into Park, desperate to get a glimpse of Hannah. The tinted car windows prevented me from seeing anything inside. Dammit. Was she even in there? Was this a trap?
I parked and jumped out of my car, far enough away from the men that I had to raise my voice. “Where’s Hannah?” My voice was shaking, my whole body thrumming with the rush of adrenaline.
One of the guards, who had a reddish beard, jerked his thumb toward the cars. “In there, Ms. Taylor. You need to get in too.”
I shook my head. “Not until she’s out of there and safely in my car. That was the deal I made with your boss.” Li Na hadn’t specifically agreed to anything, but I refused to accept anything less. “Before I leave with you, she needs to be driving out of here. Alone.”
The bearded guard nodded at the other one, who opened the car door. He pulled my sister out. I watched as she fought his touch, clearly trying to get his meaty hands off her.
“Hannah!” I yelled. “Stop!”
Our eyes met for a split second—but then she ignored me, trying to push the guard away. He grabbed her roughly. Then he took out his gun and shoved it against her rib cage.
That didn’t slow Hannah down a bit. She struggled against him, an enraged look on her face. “Get off me!” she yelled.
I watched as the guard pulled her against him, ramming the gun into her side.
“Stop it!” I screamed. I didn’t know if I was yelling at her or at him.
Hannah stopped fighting the guard, but she still gave him a filthy look. He pressed the gun firmly against her, not budging, looking as if he’d be thrilled for an excuse to pull the trigger.
“Let her go!” I shrieked. “Let her come to me. That was the deal.”
“You have to come here first,” the guard with the red beard called. “Step away from the vehicle.”
“Don’t you dare!” Hannah yelled at me. “Don’t do it, Lauren!”
I shook my head at her, hoping to shut her up, and took several wobbly steps toward them. Hannah watched me, that same furious look on her face. Her blonde hair was matted, hanging over her shoulder, and her normally impeccable clothes were torn and dirty beyond recognition.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Not if you come any closer,” she said fiercely.
“Let her go,” I told the guard who was holding his gun to her. “Let her go, and Li Na can have what she wants. Me.”
“Hold on,” Big Red said. He came toward me and thoroughly patted me down. “She’s clean.” He nodded at his partner.
The guard shoved Hannah toward me.
She stood there, not moving, watching me warily.
I held out my hand. “It’s okay, Hannah. Come to me. We’re going to get you out of here.”
She jutted her chin out defiantly. “No.”
My eyes filled with tears as absolute panic descended on me. I have to get her into the car. “Please. It’s okay. They’re not going to hurt you.”
She nodded. “I know they’re not. But they’re not going to hurt you either. They shot Wes already. I’m not having another person get hurt to protect me—especially not you. I’m not worth it.” Her voice shook.
“Wesley is alive, he’s doing better, but he needs you. You. Because you are important, and you mean everything to him. And to me.” I took a step toward Hannah, noticing that the guard still had his weapon trained on her. “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay. Just come to me and get in the car. Please.”
Hannah didn’t budge. I suddenly remembered a time when we were little, when she’d found a bird about to die in the woods. Even though it was getting dark and we were going to get in big trouble, she wouldn’t leave it. I’d cried, and I’d begged her, but she wouldn’t move. I remembered the wild panic I’d felt as I’d watched the sky darken. A child’s terror, stark and overwhelming. I was older, but I felt the same way right now. I couldn’t leave her. She was so stubborn—and if she didn’t do what I said, we were both going to be lost.
“Hannah. Listen to me.” Except I had nothing to say. I couldn’t tell her Levi and his team were waiting nearby. I’d ruin everything. “Li Na wants me alive. She’s not going to hurt me. I talked to her. We’ve figured it all out. We have a deal.”
Hannah shook her head, tears coursing down her face. “It’s a trap, Lauren. I meant what I said.”
I clenched my fists. I could feel the guards watching us. “Just get in the car.”
“I’m not going to let you sacrifice yourself for me. I told you, I’m tired of that Mother Teresa act.” She smiled at me through her tears and took a step back, turning to the
guard. “There’s not going to be a trade. But would you consider letting us both go? We could pay you.” She jerked her thumb at me. “My sister’s a billionaire, and her boyfriend’s a mega-billionaire. We could totally make it worth your while. We can triple whatever it is you’re being paid—or more. Cash. And you can both walk away, no questions asked.”
Hope kindled in my chest because Hannah finally sounded like herself, attempting to throw money at the problem.
The guards looked at each other. Big Red looked as if he were considering it, but the other guard grunted. “No deal—I don’t trust them. We have strict instructions. You go, she stays. If that doesn’t happen, we’re bringing you back.” He looked up at me. “Both of you.”
Hannah ran at him. “No! You can’t!”
He shoved her off and turned the gun on her.
“Hannah!” I screamed hoarsely.
She sank to her knees in front of the burly guard, her eyes never leaving his face.
“Just do it,” she said. “Shoot me!”
“Hannah!” I screamed again. “NO!”
Hannah looked at the guard, her hands clasped together, begging him. “Please. I don’t want to be a liability anymore.”
“Get up,” the guard growled at her. “Let’s go.”
“You too.” Big Red pulled out his gun and pointed it at me. “Get in the car, ma’am.”
“Don’t do it, Lauren!” Hannah yelled, her voice shrill in the empty parking lot. “She’s just going to use me against you. You were meant for great things. Don’t let her take that from you!”
“Shut up,” the guard said, disgusted. He grabbed Hannah by the shirt, dragged her to her feet, and shoved her back inside the car. He nodded at Big Red. “Get the other one. I’m done with the drama. Let’s go.”
Big Red kept his gun trained on me. He motioned to the other car, and I went, holding my breath the whole time, praying that Hannah kept her mouth shut and stayed alive.
There was a driver waiting inside the car. I hadn’t even noticed him. Where is Levi? I wondered, climbing shakily into the backseat.
Big Red hopped into the passenger seat, and the driver sped off.
Another question pierced my heart. Am I ever going to see Gabe again?
But all thought soon ceased. We didn’t even make it to the freeway. Everything happened at once. I heard something loud, something I couldn’t place. Then the windshield shattered. The driver slumped over, and the car spun wildly in a circle, out of control.
Big Red reached for the wheel, but I felt us slam against something, and the car screeched to a stop.
“Lauren! Get down!” someone outside bellowed, and then Big Red started shooting. I covered my head and hit the floor in the back.
The gunfire went on for what felt like forever. I stayed down in the backseat, cringing. But Big Red suddenly stopped—a spray of gunfire came in through the windshield, and I heard him slump over. I stayed down and kept my hands over my head. It went quiet for a moment, except for my own ragged breathing.
He must be dead. He and the driver both must both be dead.
There was more yelling but no more shooting, so I cautiously sat up. I held my breath, looking wildly around the scene for Hannah. There was no sign of the car she’d been taken in—just a van.
Big Red and the driver were both slumped over in the front seat. I shut my eyes and turned from them, wincing.
The back door opened, and Levi pulled me gently but firmly from the car. “Get in the van. Now.” He waved his team over as he looked at the bodies in the front seat.
Smoke rose from the hood of the car; we’d slammed into a concrete barrier. “Where’s Hannah?”
Levi wouldn’t look at me. “Ash went after her. They had a head start, though. I don’t know if he’ll be able to get to them.”
“Where were you? They almost shot her,” I spat.
He turned to me, his jaw taut, reminding me very much of Gabe. “I couldn’t get a clean shot, and I didn’t want your sister taking a bullet in the head. What the fuck did she pull back there, anyway?”
I wrapped my arms around myself. “She didn’t want me to get hurt. She was trying to sacrifice herself.”
Levi shook his head. The forced gentleness was gone, and he looked infinitely pissed. “When we finally get her home safe, she’s going to hear it from me for that little act. She almost got herself killed.”
“She was trying to be brave,” I said, defending Hannah. If I ever saw her alive again, I planned to smack her. But that was my job.
It had been Levi’s job to rescue her, and he’d failed.
He jerked his thumb at the van again. “Go. We’ll clean up the scene. I want you out of here before the police and the FBI show up.”
I didn’t move. “Why? Aren’t they going after her too?”
Levi’s eyes flashed. “Don’t ask any more questions. Just get in the van!”
A car squealed onto the scene then, and I saw Agent Marks in the passenger seat. He was yelling into his cell phone and gestured at the smoking car. His angry gaze settled on Levi.
Levi pointed to the van. “Now, Lauren—don’t make me say it again!”
I hustled into the van, where I proceeded to interrogate the driver as he immediately threw the vehicle into Drive. “Have you heard from Ash? Does he have Hannah? Can we follow them?”
The driver sped out onto the freeway, shooting a quick look at the guard riding in the passenger seat. “Can you get her to stop asking questions? I gotta drive.”
The other guard turned to me. “We don’t know anything else, Ms. Taylor. We’re under strict instructions to bring you home. No more questions, please. Let us do our job.”
He didn’t look my way again. Dismissed, I turned from them and scanned the freeway. There was light traffic, no signs of anything amiss, no sirens.
We were abruptly back in the real world. And I had no idea where Hannah was, again.
The guard in the passenger seat must have gotten a text, because he looked at his phone and cursed. “Pull over,” he told the driver.
“What? We’re under direct orders to get back to the Betts property ASAP.”
The guard held up his phone. “Gabriel Betts just texted me. He said to pull over or he’s going to run us off the road.”
The driver swore under his breath as he maneuvered the van to the side of the highway. A moment later, Gabe’s Spyder skidded to a stop in front of us. Gabe jumped out and stalked around the van. He threw open the door and grabbed my wrist. “Let’s go.” He turned to the guards. “We’ll see you back at my place. Stay close. I think I lost my security team back there because I was speeding so goddamned fast to catch up with you.”
Gabe marshaled me to the car, opening the winglike door and practically stuffing me inside. He didn’t say a word until we were back on the freeway, flooring it toward home. From his demeanor, I felt certain that Levi had already caught him up on the details of the botched exchange.
His knuckles were white as he changed lanes, flying above the speed limit. “What the fuck was that back there, Lauren?”
“Hannah wouldn’t come to me. She didn’t want to…trade herself for me.” My voice was hoarse.
The Spyder was going well over a hundred. Gabe passed three cars in a row, weaving in and out of the lanes so quickly that I felt dizzy. “So you volunteered to go too?”
I closed my eyes. “If you’re so interested in keeping me safe, do you think you could slow down a little?”
I felt the car slow, coming closer to the speed limit. I opened my eyes and stole a glimpse at him, but he looked the same—pale, jaw taut, hands clutching the steering wheel.
“Hannah wouldn’t exchange herself for me. Then she offered the guards money to let us both go, but they refused.” I paused for a beat, trying to calm down so I could tell him the rest without bursting into tears. “Then she asked the guard to shoot her. She said she didn’t want to be…a liability anymore.”
“Hannah ha
s a flair for the dramatic,” Gabe said tightly.
“She’s so stubborn. It almost got her killed back there. I don’t know what they’re going to do to her now.” My eyes filled with tears, but I willed them away. I had to stay strong, and I had to get her back before she did something else crazy. “Levi said he couldn’t get a clean shot at the guards without harming her, so that’s why he let them drive out of there. He killed the men who had me, but Hannah’s car got away. Ash is chasing them.”
“I know. Ash’ll find her.” Gabe sounded certain. “I told Levi that you were the number-one priority. He wasn’t allowed to leave you alone.”
I bristled. “My sister is the number-one priority. You don’t have the right—”
“Yes, I absofuckinglutely do.” Gabe cut me off. “You’re my number-one priority, and Levi works for me. I love Hannah too, but I only let you go today because you promised me you’d follow Levi’s instructions.”
“It wasn’t my fault—”
“I don’t want to hear it, Lauren.” His tone was final, unyielding. “You’re not going to be put in a situation like that again. Levi fucked up because he let you get in that car in the first place. He’s going to have hell to pay when I get my hands on him.”
Panic tightened my chest, and not because of what Gabe had planned for Levi. “He didn’t want to shoot Hannah in the goddamned head. Please stop! I have no idea what Li Na’s going to do to her now that this got so messed up.”
He surprised me by immediately putting his hand over mine. “She’s not going to hurt her. That’s her play. Hannah’s the only thing you’d be willing to bargain for. She’s worth nothing to Li Na if she’s dead.”
I squeezed his hand, relishing his touch even though we were both angry. “I know—the problem is, Hannah knows it too.”
“She won’t do anything to herself.” The furious tone drained from his voice. “She loves you too much.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.”
I appreciated that Gabe had set aside his anger, but his words couldn’t soothe me. I’d been so close to Hannah just now—close enough to touch her—and she’d slipped through my fingers. I vowed if I ever got her back, I would never let her go.