Chapter 99: The next morning, Rachel was at the hospital. A tide of awkward silence lapped over the ambiance in that hospital room as James' gaze shifted from Lily to the woman who had stated she was her sister, and suddenly his brain made the connection. Rachel did not speak but turned to the edge of the bed, tears now in her eyes. "I know this is all a bit much for you to process, Lily, I know you wanted me to go until you called me but... I can't. Honestly, all of this is true. We were separated as babies. This is what I have wanted to do all these years stand face to face with you." James put an arm around Lily's shoulders and turned to reassure her. "I think that is meant in an understatement way," he stated flatly on her behalf. "You have a load of answering to do." Rachel nodded and took a deep breath. "Long story. Our parents weren't good people. When I was five and Lily was just a baby, they split us up. I went to live with our aunt, and Lily was put into foster ca
Chapter 100James nodded. "We need to get Lily and Ava someplace safe. If Louis is out there, then they could be in danger.""I'll get it set up," said Rodriguez. "But what about you? You're a target too, James.".James gritted his teeth. "I'm not going into hiding. I'm going to find Louis and find out just what's really going on here.".Rodriguez's face wanted to argue the point, and then his eyes slid away and seemed to reconsider. "Alright. But you're … done putting yourself out in the open and allowing the rats a chance to come in and snipe at you "… not going to do this alone. I'll assign a team to you."As they started walking back in the direction of the elevator, James's phone began buzzing. He pulled it to his face and read a text message from an unknown number: "Meet me where it all began. Come alone, or Lily pays the price."His heart picked up speed as he realized exactly what place Louis was thinking of—that place where that shooting had gone down. Of course, this would
Chapter 101 With Louis spilling his guts, the world tilted on its axis for James. It had been a web of deceit, corruption, and crime running way deeper than James could ever have fathomed. Louis named names: politicians, judges, business leaders, and even some of James's employees. It was so huge, with the network intricate, and it was making James giddy just trying to keep it all in his head. "Jesus," James swore, raking his hands through his hair. "How did I not see any of this?" Louis's eyes held guilt and sympathy. "They were careful, James. Very. And they used your reputation, your success, as a shield. Who'd believe the golden boy of business was involved in something like this?" "So why do they want the company now?" James asked calmly Just then, his phone buzzed. Rodriguez. "James, where the hell are you? We've got a situation." James's heart quickened. "What kind of situation?" "It's Lily," Rodriguez said, taut-voiced. "She's gone." James felt as though he'd been sock
Chapter 102 The city lights blurred as James whisked past at really high speed, with the racing of his mind at an even further up ticked pace. Louis sat beside him in complete silence, shooing nervous glances at James once in a while. They were on their way to some safe house Louis claimed only he knew—the place to fall back and regroup before they could decide on the next step. "Take a left here," Louis muttered, breaking the thick silence. James obliged, his jaw clenched tight, not uttering a word. Pulling into a drab apartment building in a quiet neighborhood, James finally spoke. "If this is a trap, Louis, I swear to God- "It's not," Louis interrupted, his own voice tight. "I know I've betrayed your trust, James, but right now, I'm all you've got. We're in this together." James laughed bitterly. "Together? You shot my wife, Louis. You've been lying to me for years. We're not in anything together." Louis grimaced at James's harsh tone but didn't argue. The two of them made the
CHAPTER 103James was already pacing back and forth across the remains of the small apartment. Any illusions of running free were seeping away; anything haunted was forgotten in the absolute mental chaos. But, it seemed Louis had just hung up the phone with his mysterious contact."So?" James asked. His voice was sparse from his patience. "What did he say?"Louis took a deep breath and held it before speaking. "Well, he's agreed to meet us. But James, we need to be cautious. This guy, well… Let's just say he's not exactly a people person."James rolled his eyes. "At this point, I don't care if he's the Grinch—just so long as he can help us find Lily."They left the apartment, hunching their shoulders down. James felt like every person they passed on the street might be working for Elena. It was making him jumpy."So where are we meeting this guy?" James asked as they walked.Summary: "An old warehouse by the docks," Louis said. "It's abandoned. Should be safe."James snorted. "Yeah, b
Chapter 104James looked at his watch again, for about the hundredth time. It was just about midnight. He, Louis and Jack were huddled in the shadows next to Elena's compound. The night was cool and damp, and James could feel his heart pounding in his chest."You ready for this?" Jack whispered.James nodded. "Let's do it."They crept to a rusted manhole cover; Jack pulled out a crowbar, worked it beneath with ease, and pried it open. Whatever smell wafted up made James gag."Ladies first," Jack said with a smirk.James shot him a glare but started to climb down the ladder. The sewer was dark and slimy, and he tried not to think about what he stepped in.They moved through tunnels behind Jack's lead. Every little sound seemed magnified, and James kept jumping. He was expecting guards to pop out at him around every corner.They moved for what felt like hours before Jack finally held up a hand. "We're here," he whispered.Above them was another manhole cover. Jack listened a minute, the
Chapter 105The safe house was silent. A little too silent. James did pacing up and down, his footsteps echoing in the small room. Lily sat on the tattered couch, her eyes removed. Louis dozed in one corner, while Jack stood at the window, peering through a crack in the blinds."How long has it been?" James asked, breaking the silence.Jack looked at his watch. "Almost three hours since I made the call."James ran a hand through his hair. This waiting was getting on his nerves. After the adrenaline rush of the rescue, this forced inactivity was torture."Maybe we should-" he started, but Jack cut him off with a raised hand."Somebody's coming," Jack whispered.Everyone tensed. Louis jerked awake, looking around in confusion. Lily stood up and moved closer to James.They heard footsteps outside, then three sharp raps on the door. Jack relaxed somewhat."That's the signal," he said, walking towards the door, gun in hand, he opened it cautiously.A tall and lean woman stepped inside. She
Chapter 106Before reaching Sarah's hideout, they had to go on a roundabout way. They changed their vehicles three times, drove through villages and passageways that were not in use or even hiked through thick forest at one point. By the time they arrived, everyone was tired.“Welcome to the Nest,” Sarah said as they walked up to a big wooden house situated in the middle of a clearing. The structure appeared ancient and worn out but James could still notice some hints of sophisticated security arrangements within the natural setting in which it was located.Inside, the log cabin contrasted sharply with its exterior. There was a line-up of modern computers and communication devices on one wall while another wall displayed an assortment of impressive weapons. The lounge area looked simple though very comfortable for everybody present."Make yourselves at home," Sarah said." “We’ll stay here for some time.”As everyone got comfortable, James couldn’t just wonder about this whole set up u