“Okay.” I pull the phone away from my ear and transfer the call from private to speaker.
“You’re on speaker.”
“Jake?”
“Blue Sedan. White male wearing a baseball cap and shades. Been on our tail for ten minutes now, but I think I remember seeing this car when we were at the dress shop.”
Damn, Jake gathered all of that without me ever noticing anything. I guess there is a reason Nico has Jake with me at all times.
“Where are you?” Nico asks next.
“South of Piedmont. I’ve been taking him on a field trip for about five miles now.”
That was right around the time I asked him to take me to the market.
“Where is Cyrus?” Nico asks.
Who is Cyrus?
“Five cars back from the sedan. He’s the one who spotted him first.” Jake glances in the side mirror briefly before looking back forward.
Wait, you mean to tell me Nico has two bodyguards on me? You know what? I’m not even shocked.
“Alright.” Nico’s voice sounds so calm and assertive now. “Bring them to me. I’ll be at the south-side warehouse.”
“I got you, Boss.” Jake signals left and changes lanes.
“Angel,” Nico calls out to me, getting my attention.
“I’m scared.” The admission came out so quickly I went from oblivious to terrified in the span of seconds.
“I know. I need you to listen to me. When Jake gets to the warehouse, I want you to get to the floor immediately. Don’t get up until I come get you. Do you understand?”
My heart is racing, and my stomach is filled with rocks.
“Tell me this is a joke. Tell me this is your way of getting me to—”
“It’s not a joke, baby, I swear. But I need you to calm down.”
I press a hand to my chest. My breathing won’t regulate.
“I think I’m hyperventilating.”
“Take a deep breath in.” I follow his instructions. “Now blow it out slowly.”
I let out a breath and repeat his steps.
“Don’t hang up, please.” There is a plea in my voice that sounds like a whine.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay right here the entire time.”
I continue my breathing exercise as Jake maintains a constant speed to a warehouse. In the phone’s background, I can hear Nico and his men getting ready for us.
“He knows we made him,” Jake announces from the front seat. “Shit, he’s turning around.” He tries looking out the side mirrors. I turn in my seat hoping to get a view. I don’t see asedan, but I spot another black Suburban making a U-turn in the middle of the road and speeding off in the other direction.
“Cyrus is on his tail.”
“Good. Tell him to stay on him. I’ll have Maseo pull the cameras and see if he can help him out. Jake, bring my wife to me.”
