**ANTONY SANTOS**. THE NEXT MORNING.Today must be day twelve. I've lost count since the abduction is over, Half of it at least. Tracy is back and safely recuperating in the hospital.I'm going to pretend like that bastard isn't still by her side and focus on the good side of things. Tracy is getting better. She will be fine. She'll return home soon.By soon I mean in a few hours.I'm holding off on leaving, I just want a glance at her before I do.The director is outside giving the press conference now, he's explaining ever so vaguely how things are going now.Once he's done, the reporters will swarm him with tons of questions. While they are preoccupied, Tracy and I are supposed to leave the building.In separate cars.I took a shower then changed into a fresh set of Clothes. Now I'm standing by the side and waiting for her to come out.Mr Scott arrived early this morning, he's taking her home and while this might be th
**AGENT MICHAEL**"There is no more to tell, I mean that's all there is. He kept secret communications between him and some of the men he hired. That's all."I scoffed and got up."No. You don't understand, it's golden. It's important, just wait and listen to me so I can explain.""Anyone can send text messages if you are going to get any deal at all, it has to turn into something Worthy since we want to add to the already solid case we have. It's clear you have nothing like that.""No. You don't understand, those conversations will help. They contain specific times and orders which date back to years ago. He maintains one type of communication and you would have access to all the people he's had taken care of and they are quite a number. You might even find proof when they were the important kinds."I held the chair, acting as though I would leave. He can't figure out that I'm in dire need of this.After a two seconds gap, I returned to the seat with the file pressed over the table.
**AGENT MICHAEL**"What do you mean the subpoena wasn't granted?"I slammed the file across the deskThe lower agent winced at my tone. He better be playing a very bad joke on me or is talking about the wrong file because the district attorney will get an earful from me if it turns out that the subpoena was indeed declined.A breakthrough in this case, I'm not about to let anyone come into this and ruin it."You can go."I waved him off and grabbed the nearby phone.Punching in the number, I placed it over my ears listening to its ring and awaiting a voice."This is Agent Michael from the FBI, I'd like to speak with the district attorney. Tell him it's urgent."I tapped repeatedly over my desk. There was a short delay, I hope she's switching it to his line."He'll take you now."She announced, there was a beep then another voice sounded."Agent Michael of the FBI, to what do I owe this phone call."He chirped, his tone not giving me any bad vibes, but he's also not signing off on the
**ANTONY SANTOS**. "I know you said to stay back and spend some time with my family, but I don't think that's possible and I might be way in over my head, but I think Agent Michael and I have spent so much time together that I might know him better than most people. For that reason, I'm in the best position to go after him, that's what I'm doing. Just giving you the heads up."I dropped the cell and kept driving in the direction of Clinton and associates, that's the building where Michael went to.The burner began ringing again. The director.He's probably calling to talk me out of it. I don't think ignoring the call of the Director of the CIA will be good for me but taking it is not an option either.Oh, God.I clicked the answer then placed it on the speaker."Sir, I told you that I won't be talked out of.""God now I see why you and Michael have some connection, both of you do not listen to me before going out of your
**ANTONY SANTOS**. "Tracy, let me explain. Let me.""Get out."She demanded. Her voice was cold, her arms wrapped around her chest sliding to her waist and her head turned away from me and facing the door instead. I assume she was covering her eyes away from me, so much so that I wouldn't see the tears slowly dropping out"I'm not going."I replied bravely."I'll call security and have you thrown out then. Get out."She yelled loudly."You can do whatever the hell you want Tracy Scott , but I'm not leaving you now. Not like that.""I don't even want to see you. This does not make you better than him or gets you points that somehow reduces the gravity of what you did. It does nothing. I'm grateful that you told me, but things stay the same between us. I just want to stay alone which means I'd like you to leave, so please..."Her voice failed her in the middle. She
**ANTONY SANTOS**. "I'm not sure how I can ever look at you the same way, let alone forgive you or move past it. I am not certain of anything, but at this point, I'm allowed to act a little selfish. It'll be the first in two weeks and although I'm being strongly advised by my inner self to throw you out, I want you to stay by me. I think I need you to stay by me."She stopped talking, her hands high up in the air followed by a frustrated groan."Please stay."She released yet another groan just as I was about to leave.I squeezed my eyes and turned, shooting a finger at her."What do you want me to do?""Nothing. I don't want you to do anything, I just want you to stay here."She slapped her hand over the bed, it made a sound echoing around the room."You want me to sit with you on the bed?"She nodded repeatedly.First, she doesn't want me two feet close to her and now I get to sit on the same bed with her? Must be nice.
**ANTONY SANTOS**. The kiss started quick and fast. There wasn't any tilting head or gliding tongue against each other tenderly so much so there wasn't any love.There was just desire and passion and I wouldn't have had it any other way.She stayed on my laps, dropping her head lower then planting her lips over mine, it's a shame since I couldn't really do much in this position, I just sat back and enjoyed what was being done tome.****"Tracy, you're mad at me. You're mad at everyone, it's making you do things"She dipped her head, aiming for a kiss. I carefully dodged, holding both hands of hers in place."Does that make more sense to you than its ringing at the back of my head that you're not actually married to anyone so I can do thiswithout an ounce of guilt and that realization just makes me thirsty."She dropped her head a second time, a successful attempt since I let her kiss me.A part of what she said was right
**ANTONY SANTOS**. "I'll drop you off at your place. We can talk on the way."I sighted the SUV from my end.He better have a damn good explanation."I can literally hear you puffing from here, it's not like you can beat me up."He joked behind me.My tightened knuckles are saying otherwise, I'm over the edge and highly tempted to do something, but he's older which hasn't been a problem with anyone else in the past, but I'll have to accredit him as Tracy's father and with what's going on now, punching her father is a terrible idea."Get in."One of his guards pulled the door for both of us. He's gotten twice the amount of guards. IfAntonov gets out of holding, these will be nothing."You're angry. I can tell.""Back at the FBI, we were on the same side, youwanted that man as far away from your daughter as possible, we agreed that as long as he betrayed us once, he could do it again. I'm just confused because I fail to u
**TRACY SCOTT**. "Where do you want to go?"Jimmy asked, dirverting into the main road.It's a miracle we've even gotten this far without any reporters trying to bash into the car or take pictures. Maybe they don't have vans?I'm almost sure Father would have gotten the news by nowThey've flock around the office begging for a comment or the house.I expected it. In fact I want it.The more influence I have, the more people get to hear the truth.Father can't oppose this even. That man killed his wife. He took me for days and now they're going to just let him go.Well I'll be dammed.Just like clockwork, my cell began ringing.Lucky guess it's Ethan. He's calling to rant aboutIt'll be rude not to answer, plus I'm not ashamed of what I've done I'll repeat it if necessary."What is it?"I snapped. From the corner, Jimmy's brows shot up."I just wanted to say congratulations. I'm happy you're going to do something that n
**TRACY SCOTT**. Murmurs. Bickering. Incessant sounds that's currently irking. Echoing in my ear and makes me want to scream. Maybe they'll shut up.More reporters are gathering since I've gotten what I wanted. For this to air live. For the entire world to hear me.For the whole world to see and understand my plague. To know why I went through and decide for themselves if what's going to happen is the right thing. It's not. They know it. It's why they'll stand up and stop it. I hope."Everyone is eager to understand what I'm about to say. I'll tell you and since this is live, there won't be any miscommunication."My eyes went above their heads as the teachers would advise us while we gave our speeches. I wished I hadn't done that though.For the side entrance, I noticed Antony burst out with Ethan behind him.Perfect. I had all the media attention, they weren't affected by two men.I turned away. Antony's eyes move
TRACY SCOTT**. Jimmy loves me. I should not be considering that with everything that's happening and all that's at stake, but in some weird way I can't help the tingles all around me with the realization that Jimmy loves me.He's actually in love with me. I know that because what we about to do is similar to jumping off a cliff with no safety on, he's willing to do that.I think he is. Maybe he'll just walk me up to it, tell me what to do then leave me hanging.He'll remain neutral in the dealings and I'll face the music myself.I would not blame him. It's typically the smart thing to do.Ethan. Antony. They should all stay away from me. The best thing to do is taking it all head on.In fact involving anyone else will just make matters worse.I'm the center piece of everything.It started with me. It should end with me."Are you reconsidering it? I won't lie to you, it'spolitical suicide, that what we would call it
**TRACY SCOTT**. "How about here, it says foreign nationals who have committed a crime...""We can't use that, they'll argue that he didn't actual commit the crime.""That would make no sense?"I cringed my nose in utter confusion."In theory, it would not but if they did that, they'll make a center piece of the American justice system, they'll bring it out on the open for anyone interested to ask as many questions as they'd like and trust me, there are some many people interested in the system.""Ugh."I fell on the chair, tossing the books aside."Maybe we take a five minutes break..."He was interrupted by my cell phone."I'm sorry, I should get this."I slipped my hand into my pocket silently praying it wasn't my father or Antony, in that case I won't have to get anything.It wasn't. Ethan was calling. From the burner. How nice."Yes?"I answered. No filter needed. I didn't want to talk to any of them from that p
153**TRACY SCOTT**. "Tracy wait! I'm confused because it's as though both of you just shut me out in an instant. What is going on here? One minute I think maybe in actually part of the team or whatever shit and the next you're gone with him, you disappear for almost half an hour. What happened?"I held my purse, twirling in the free space outside."Get rid of the substance in your car, we do not want anyone getting a whiff of what that thing might be. It won't do anyone good."I instructed instead of answering the question."Tracy. you're just avoiding the question and I thought you would not be mad for telling Antony.""I'm not mad. Come on, do I seem mad? If I dol apologise for giving you the wrong impression, I am not."I giggled, palming my lips to stiffen it when it got too weird."I'm sorry we didn't take you in with us. I only got ten minutes and somehow you were lost in between, it wasn't my intention."His
152**TRACY SCOTT**. You're weak. You're fragile. That's what they think. That's what they'll never say to your face, but it's the reason they pet you in believing things which aren't actually true.They're all liars. They've been lying to you for the longest time. That is the truth. You can't trust any of them.Those are Antonov's words from earlier today replaying in my head like a broken record.When he dropped the last bombshell, the concluding piece of the puzzle in my head, the little secret Antony was keeping, I grew numb while seating on that chair.I kept my hands folded, staring into space.My head was faced forward, probably making eye contact of some sort with him, but I was not there physically.My mind had wandered off, making up the scenes in my head.How it happened. Who she was. Why he did it.I created an answer for each of those questions after which more would just pop up. That's howmy mind work
**TRACY SCOTT**. I need a grip. A tight grip and maybe a lid. A grip on these whirling emotions inside me, like a storm and I'm in the fucking eye.An hour ago I was prepared, willing, and heaven knows I was ready to commit first-degree murder and not even blink.That's how mad I was. Was it anger? Or hurt? Or thirst for vergence? That would be fueled by either the former or latter before it?I'm not sure what it is, but it's there.I can feel it inside of it, it's burning and it keeps increasing with each passing minute.I would have killed that man, I would have done so without so much as blinking.That's how vicious I have become.Ethan was the only anchor left, if it wasn't for him I would have finished Antonov off.For now, I just need to stay in the same room with him.I need to look him in the eye and figure out why he ruined my life.Why did he kill my mother?Why did he start this goose chase for me decades
**ANTONY SANTOS**. "Why are you looking at me like that?"She asked after moments of silence reigned between us, neither bothering to utter a word. There weren't much seating positions in the gun range, so we merely relaxed our back over the wall, giving the other breathing space.Something I hadn't realised I needed, but I did."Like what?"I moved my shoulders, carefully flipping my front hair backwards and moving my eyes away which were raking her body with suspicion."Like I'm damaged goods. You're looking at me as though I'm damaged goods. It's what's going around and I can't seem to wrap my head around the look. It's getting annoying. Stop looking at me like that "She snapped, standing straight."I'm not looking at you like you're damaged goods. I would never think that, that's just being insensitive and anyone who is doing such hasn't the slightest clue of what you've been through nor has the right to judge
**ETHAN RAMIREZ**I searched the room with my eyes, it had cleared out leaving just us three. Antony and I standing metres away from one of the ranges, Tracy standing by the door with a smug look on her face that shows she's not exactly happy with either of us.What comes next is her feeling all too betrayed by both of us, but I'm sure Antony can handle it.I hope. I hope I didn't underestimate her angry she is at him, angry enough not to listen to a word he had to say, she has only made eye contact with him once since she walked in here and even then, she tore her gaze away quickly."I asked a question but it would seem no one is willing to give a weird answer. Since when did both of you become besties because that's what this seems. A get together for besties."She squirmed her shoulders, her tone dripping with sarcasm and mockery."Tracy..."She crossed her hand quickly, leaving one outside to place ahead of me and halt whatevermovement I had planned"I asked a question, Ethan. I