Blame it on the shame Part 2

Chapter 46 (Ricardo)

Ricardo: Alyssa's gone crazy! She has a gun and is holding Lou-Lou and me hostage. Ford's a double agent, don't trust him. It's a set-up. Do not attack him just yet, he might be prepared for that. Get away from him and find a way to sneak to the docks near Jersey. We'll be in the small warehouse-sneak in through the back. Address is in my car gps listed under 10/29/01.

Make sure you're armed—check the trunk. DeLuca will be there. Stay safe, brother. And when I call you—sound panicked and go with it. Alyssa's fine...well, physically anyway. Erase this text and do not respond to it.

I watch and listen as Lou-Lou and Alyssa start screaming at one another in the parking lot, providing me with the perfect opportunity to type the text and hit the 'send' button.

Hopefully now Jackson will be able to save all our asses because my plan has officially gone to hell.

I was supposed to be holding Alyssa hostage and she was supposed to be warning Jackson not to trust Ford.

Christ, not only did I underestimate Alyssa and underestimate Ford.

I underestimated DeLuca.

I'd say I'm surprised...but the more I think about it. It makes perfect sense. He's always one step ahead of everyone else.

He knows that if he killed Jackson...I'd go after him.

As mad as that all makes me...it's nothing compared to how I feel about him targeting Lou-Lou and trying to trap her.

He wanted to see if she'd take the out Ford was falsely providing and agree to kill him. She if she'd fly out of her cage and then slaughter her for it.

Or worse.

Words ca

And thank fucking God I had Emilio report that she's been puking her guts up for the last week and that her last pregnancy test showed up positive.

I only did it as a last-minute precaution in case the council found out he was dead before I made it to Italy—but seeing as DeLuca was behind this whole set up in the first place—it will keep her safe when we get to the warehouse.

Because if I can only choose one person to save out of everyone...it's her. It will always be her.

I take a deep breath and roll my shoulders back as I do a quick inventory of the facts so I can figure out what to do next.

Fact number one—DeLuca set this up and enlisted Ford's help. Ford agreed...most likely in exchange for Alyssa's safety...given he's pla

Fact number two—DeLuca knows he's going to be attacked today. And if we don't go after him...he'll come after us. At least today Jackson and I are prepared. Well, as prepared as we're going to be.

And maybe...just maybe...Ford's sick and twisted obsession with Alyssa will come in handy.

Either way, there's only one way to find out.

Because no matter what happens...DeLuca's dying in that warehouse today.

Alyssa glares at me and I pick up my phone. "Alyssa's been shot. Come quick," I shout from the backseat of Lou-Lou's car before I hang up.

Alyssa points her gun at my chest. "Really, you couldn't have done better than that?"

"It got the message across. He won't be with Ford anymore."

She digs the gun into Lou-Lou's temple and I fight the urge to take out mine and shoot her. "Now it's your turn."

Lou-Lou pulls up Ford's contact information and hits send. "Hi, Ford. Alyssa's holding me hostage and she knows what you're up to."

I almost want to laugh at how calm she is about all of this.

"I don't believe you," he snarls on the other line.

Alyssa sighs and snatches the phone from her. "Hello, Ford. Or should I say—special manipulating bastard agent Ford?"

I'd go with the second one.

He stays silent and she continues, "I'm going to make this real easy for you. Meet me down at the docks. Leave Jackson alone. This is between you, me, and DeLuca. If you bring Jackson, I swear on my father's death...it will be the last thing you ever do."

She hangs up and looks at me. "You still have one more phone call to make."

My stomach churns and for the second time today I have a moment

of trepidation.

As much as I want to give Lou-Lou what she wants...I don't want to put her in harm’s way.

I look over at her and my heart pounds so hard it hurts.

Lou-Lou deserves this. She deserves her freedom. And not just the kind that comes from cash and a passport.

And the only thing preventing that right now is my heart.

I put the phone to my ear. "Yeah, it's me."

"I'm busy," he barks, obviously not realizing that I'm on to him.

"I know you're busy. But something's come up. I'm being held hostage."

"And?"

"I know you don't care..." I start to say.

DeLuca laughs on the other line. "You're right. I don't. Just tell me what color casket you'd like and ask them if they'd prefer a check or cash as a 'thank you' for getting rid of my ingrate son."

I force myself not to let his words affect me.

Alyssa eyes narrow and her nostrils flair, she's obviously pissed this isn't going the way she wanted it to.

My pulse begins to rise because I can physically feel how much she wants DeLuca dead. And seeing as she's already pulled a fast one on me...who knows what else she would do to get DeLuca to that warehouse.

"Tell him who's holding you hostage and tell him he better be unarmed when he shows up or I'll kill you," she grits through her teeth.

"Listen, you need to meet us at the docks near Jersey. Alyssa Ta