“I will,” Chase said and shook each man’s hand.
They mounted the Harleys and, leaving Lester’s scooter standing, roared into the night. Chase considered riding straight to Lusso Lane, but the Harley might wake the Spatafores. He headed for home to get his Hummer. It could take down a gate like that kick took down a door. When he pulled into his garage, he checked his phone for any missed calls or texts. There were a couple of calls from Cash and Chloe. And a text from Jade.
Don’t look for me. I never want to see you again. Goodbye.
Damn that hurt.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
It was still dark when Jade woke on Thursday morning. The clock next to her purse on the nightstand showed 5:30 am. She sat up, mad at herself for not waking sooner. Mad for not realizing she was being drugged sooner. Mad that she couldn’t remember who told her this time of year, daybreak was around 5:40 am. Mad, period. She’d had enough of Franco and Mateo Spatafore. If only Franco would break the contract like he’d threatened.
Let him sue.
Who had said that to her? She slipped off the bed and hurried to the closet. Inside, a few of her clothes now hung on fancy, padded hangers. On the floor next to her red stilettos was the black trash bag. Shoving her clothes into the trash bag, she grabbed her purse and felt underneath the pillow for her phone. It was gone! Just like her keys and car. She unlocked the bedroom door. Her heart was in her throat at the idea of the Spatafores, Margo, or Greta catching her. A deep voice in her head echoed.
You don’t have to handle him or them alone.
If only therewassomeone to help her escape this nightmare. But she was on her own. Jade tiptoed out of the room to a landing at the top of the staircase. Below, she saw the foyer and the front door. Freedom loomed. Yes, please. She hurried down the stairs. Making her way across the foyer, she wrapped her hand around the doorknob. Of course, it didn’t open. The double bolt was locked. She thought quickly and remembered coming in from the patio through the glass door of the alcove. Soundlessly, she made her way into the living room, where the framed painting mocked her. Beyond the alcove, the glass door was still open! Either Franco had been so upset after she’d foiled his attempt to kiss her that he’d forgotten to close it, or Greta, who clearly wanted rid of her, had opened it. Or maybe it was a trick of some sort. Jade rushed forward, fearing that at any moment, a hand would clamp down on her shoulder or someone would abruptly block her exit. But no, she made it outside to the patio.
“Dear God, please help me,” Jade silently prayed.
Dawn trying to break through the clouds was a blessing and a curse. Hoping to see but not be seen, with her red purse in one hand, she clutched the trash bag with her other and ran as fast as she could. Luckily, she had viewed the layout of this modern house and manicured grounds during the day, so she knew her way to the gate. Darn the stilettos. She was about to kick them off and take her chances running barefoot when she heard something. It sounded like a car door.
The water fountain was directly in front of her, so she ducked behind Venus, who had finally come in handy. Too bad this fountain didn’t depict the whimsical Uncle Wilber she loved in Acacia Park. She’d be within walking distance of the Foote Avenue house if that were the case. Looking back over her shoulder, no one was following her from the direction of the residence. But headlights suddenly beamed on the outside of the gate. She froze.
“No,” she whispered. The Spatafores, Margo, or Greta. Not only that, the gate was shut. She wanted to cry. On the other hand, maybe she could sneak out of the gate when they opened it.
“Jade,” came a male voice from outside the gate.
It was the deep voice that, only minutes before, had echoed that she didn’t have to handle the Spatafores alone. Jade peeked around the statue. Tall and muscular, a man exited a vehicle. A Hummer? The man approached the gate. She had just prayed for help. Was this man the answer to her prayer? The Hummer’s headlights showed her a glimpse of his face and body. Handsome and strong. Her heart pounded against her ribcage as images, like water breaking over a dam, flooded her brain. Stepping out from behind the statue, she stared at him in wonder.
“Chase?”
“Need rescuing?”
“Sooner than later.”
“Let’s go.”
All at once, floodlights from every direction lit up the grounds. Holding tight to her purse and bag, Jade dashed down the paved drive. Making it to the gate, she dropped her belongings and grasped the wrought iron bars. She yanked, but the gate didn’t budge. Chase’s hands briefly covered hers. She shivered, pulled her hands from under his, and off the iron bars.
“Back up and stand to the side,” Chase pointed to a spot. “I’m gonna ram the gate.”
Grabbing her purse and bag, Jade rushed to the spot in the grass where he’d indicated. The Hummer’s engine revved in front of her as voices shouted from behind her. Chase threw the vehicle into reverse as the yelling neared. Tires squealed as the Hummer roared forward, striking the gate full force. Dead center. The gate doors burst apart, slamming against the sides of the prison wall. Jade darted to the passenger door of the Hummer. She opened it and lifted the black bag. Chase yanked the bag into the vehicle, and Jade jumped into the passenger’s seat. As Chase backed up, Jade saw Franco running toward them. Wearing a robe, he pulled something out of his pocket and aimed at them as Mateo, Margo, and Greta brought up the rear.
“Stop!” Franco screamed as Jade shut her door. “Stop!”
“He’s got a gun!” Jade warned Chase.
Pop. Pop. Pop.
Between reverse and drive, Chase screeched to a stop and grabbed the Blackhawk .357 Magnum she’d seen him with…in the past? Yes, the recent past. Lightning fast from the console to the open window, Chase fired the gun into the air.
BOOM!
The Spatafores, Margo, and Greta scattered like chickens. Tires squealing, Chase and Jade sped away. Popping noises sounded in the background but faded as the Hummer kept them safe while quickly putting distance between them and Lusso Lane.
“Are you okay?” Chase asked and reached for her hand.
