Alone with me and our child, he narrows his gaze and points. “Remember what I said. You try to escape, and Abigail will pay the price. It will be your fault, not mine.”
Years of gaslighting fast forward in my mind’s eye. As my fists clench, Beyoncé angel gives him hell.Dammnn, you are one stupid motherfucker. Never threaten a mama bear’s cub.
In agreement, I wash my baby girl and dress her in clean pajamas. I’ve barely laid her down to sleep when Farid and another man bluster into the bedroom.
The stranger, who resembles my ex, throws a burka at me. “Put this on.”
As I slide into the hooded covering, something hard clunks my shoulder. Adjusting the fabric, I locate the hidden knife in the inside pocket.
Perhaps, my sister-in-law has a spine, after all? Inspired by her bravery, I trip over Abbie’s sneakers. On my knees, I grabthe one holding the tracker and hide it beneath the tent-sized garment.
Once I’m led outside to a waiting BMW, my ex growls. “Show me your hands.”
I pretend to be unable to find the arm holes and stick out a fabric-covered fist. The other bump is not my hand, but rather Bun-bunny's head. Unaware of the ruse, Parisi tightens one side of a plastic tie around my wrist and the other around the stuffed animal’s neck.
More emboldened, I twist in my seat. “Please, Farid, let her ride in my lap.”
“She’ll sit in the back.” I can’t believe how easily I can manipulate the idiot.
Now awake, Abbie claws at the man I suspect is Farid’s brother. He fastens her seatbelt and screams at her to be quiet.
In the past, I never would’ve gambled with her life. Now, I realize the worst risk is to do nothing at all.
As my abductor races through the narrow streets, my adrenaline pumps. I know in my heart Axel and his team follow at a distance.
In my side mirror, a flash of light blinds me repeatedly. Someone inside the sixty-year-old Cadillac behind us is telling me to be prepared.
Hidden by the massive mound of fabric, Parisi and his brother cannot see me use the knife to remove the tie wrap from my wrist.
My ex spots our tail, and as he shouts something to his mini-me, I grab the wheel. Using all my strength, I tug it down.
We hit a building, and the airbags explode. Ignoring the fluids dripping from my throbbing nose, I stab at the syntheticpolymer and break free. Staggering, I race around the bumper, open the back door, and snatch my little banshee.
A second later, Lucky takes my daughter, then Axel throws me over his shoulder.
As we drive to the airport, I lament my one missed opportunity. I should’ve stabbed my former husband in the jugular while I had the chance.
Chapter 28
Big Bad Wolf is not simply a villain; he is The Big Bad Wolf is not simply a villain; he is the embodiment of strength and power. ~The Big Bad Wolf
Axel
In the back of the Cadillac, Lucky and I sit on either side of Gwen. She holds her daughter in her lap and hums a lullaby while the tearful child clutches a well-loved, stuffed rabbit to her chest. In the front, Suds and Hands, two former SEALs, talk quietly, their weapons on the seat beside them.
A surplus of adrenaline races through my veins as I glance out the back window. The rest of the team follows us in a checkered, green airportvan.
We have what we came for, but can we make it to the terminal? Leaving my woman and her little girl with Farid might’ve been the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Thank God I heard the level-headed Slate in my ears, or I could've done something stupid.
“It’s time.” When Suds slows, turns into an alley, and stops, Gwen’s eyes widen.
“What’s going on?”
I squeeze her thigh. “Nothing to worry about, hun. We’re dumping this car.”
Jumping out, I reach in, and escort my girls to the taxi that pulled in behind us. Slate and Jack, sitting in the front, give me a curt nod as the rest of us, including Bear, climb into the back.
After I pull a brand new burka from its plastic packing, I shake it open, then place it over my lover’s head. As I twist the fabric so that the slit faces forward, Lucky sets Abbie in her mom’s lap. With both hidden, I scratch my dog’s chin while he nuzzles my legs.
