Страница 95 из 111
Panic flashes across her face. “There's no way Jackson would allow Ricardo to do that and not stop him. Jackson wouldn't set him up.”
“No, he wouldn't,” I say quickly. “That's not what I'm insinuating. What I'm saying is that Ricardo must have lied to Jackson about what was really going on in order to keep him safe...because that's what he does.”
I turn in my seat, hoping she can understand that although she doesn't agree with the things Ricardo does, he doesn't deserve to die.
“I know you don't like Ricardo—”
“That's not true,” she argues. “I just...he's different. He's...I just think that even though he's good to us, it doesn't excuse all the bad he does to others.”
She squeezes my hand. “But that doesn't mean I think Ricardo deserves to die either. Because even though it sucks when the bad guys win...sometimes we need the bad guys like Ricardo to win in the end. Sometimes it takes a bad guy to do what the good guys can't.”
She hugs me. “We're not go
She pulls back and smiles. “This way my good guy can focus on science projects and being the best dad in the world.” She looks around the car before and whispers, “The only problem is, I have no idea how to get these goons off our back.”
“That's one thing I can do. I just needed to know you were on my side first.”
“You could have just taken me hostage like I did to you.”
I look down at her belly. “You yes, but not my nephew. I figure he should at least be over the age of 5 before I make him a proper member of the family.”
When she pales, I roll my eyes. “Kidding, Alyssa.”
I gesture for her to watch what I'm about to do. “Hey, guys. Do you think you can pull over for a moment? My girl here has to use the bathroom.”
“No can do,” one of them responds. “We were instructed to bring you right there and right back. She can use the facility at the doctor's office.”
“It's really bad,” Alyssa says. “I can't hold it.”
“I'm sorry,” the other man says. “No stops.”
Alyssa shoots me a look as if to say, 'what now?' but I arch forward and tap them both on the shoulders. “Listen, guys. I already know you two are aware of just how important I am to Mr. DeLuca.” I flutter my eyelashes. “And you already know there are certain things he won't ever let slide. In fact, I believe you two were there the day I stripped down and he shot your buddy for only looking.”
I ignore the look Alyssa's currently giving me. “So I'm go
I can feel my face break out into a grin because I know I've got them. Until one of the men hold out their cell phone to me and say, “Call him. Because after you snuck into the basement last time, we had a meeting about the little antics you pull to get your way. We're under strict orders not to let you out of our sight, Miss. No matter what you may threaten us with.”
The smile falls from my face when they turn back around in their seats.
“That went well,” Alyssa mutters.
“Have a better idea?”
I can practically see the light bulb go off in her head before she nods...and then lets out the most agonizing scream I've ever heard. My heart jumps in my throat. “Oh my god. Are you okay?”
“That wasn't urine,” she screams, giving me a wink right before the men turn around again. “My water just broke.”
I'm ready for the men to start questioning her, but she lets out another scream. This one louder than the first.
“Stop the car!” I shout.
“No,” Alyssa screams. “Take me to the hospital. Now.”
I have to admit, for being a natural blonde, this girl has quite the set of brains on her.
“We're almost at her doctor's office,” the driver protests.
“She needs a hospital, you idiot,” I yell. “Turn the car around right now or I will be calling Mr. DeLuca and explaining to him that his nephew is in danger because you assholes won't take her to the hospital.”
The look on their faces is like nothing I've ever seen before, pure fear.
The car spins around so fast, I grab onto Alyssa for dear life.
“You sure about this?”
“I can do it,” she whispers. “Just follow my lead when we get to the hospital.”
Less than 5 minutes later we're pulling up at the emergency drop off.
The bodyguards won't leave our side and I want to question her again, but she starts screaming for Penelope as soon as we're through the doors.
When Alyssa's pink scrubbed doppelganger appears at her side, she quickly ushers all of us into a private room. “You're only 7 months, Alyssa.”
“I know,” she cries. “Penelope, I'm so scared.” She subtly nods to the bodyguards. “So scared.”
Thank god Penelope's not an idiot and can read her loud and clear. “Everyone out.” She yanks me back inside and points to the guards. “You two buffoons, get out. Unless you want to be here for all the blood and guts.”
I open my mouth to tell her that's pretty much a standard part of their job anyway, but she yells, “I don't care who you two are. She is my patient and this is an emergency, take a walk.”
To my utter surprise, they start walking away.
When we turn to face Alyssa, she grabs my hand. “Where's the back exit?”
Penelope puts her hands on her hips. “What the hell is going on?”
“I don't have time to explain right now, but we'll catch up soon. I just really need to know where the back exit is.”
Penelope quickly rattles off directions and we bolt for the door.
“You two owe me,” she calls out right before we take off.
“My boyfriend killed your douchebag ex-husband,” I tell her. “I'm pretty sure it's you who owes us.”
Her mouth drops open and Alyssa giggles as we start ru
We race down the stairs. “Are you sure you're up for this?”
She pats her belly. “Yup, little man likes the exercise.”
When we make it outside, I make a beeline for the line of cabs and wait for her to catch up.
“Follow that car!” Alyssa shouts when we get inside and both the driver and I stare at her like she's nuts.
She shrinks down in her seat. “Sorry, I've just always wanted to say that.”
“Where to, ladies?” the driver grumbles, obviously a
Shit, we didn't really think this part of our plan through. “Give us a second.”
The driver presses the button for the meter. “It's your dime.”
“Asshole,” I mumble before I turn in my seat. “Where should we go?”
Alyssa thinks about this a moment before replying, “I'm not sure. I mean, according to Jackson they're going to be at the fight club, so I say we go there.”
I rattle off the address for the fight club and the driver takes off.
Until we pass the apartment complex and Alyssa says, “I'm sorry, Lou-Lou but I really have to pee. Can we please make one quick pit stop at the apartment before we go all Thelma and Louise? Otherwise I'm doing my business all over this backseat.”
The driver screeches to a halt in front of the apartment building. “Get out.”
“Really?” I flip him the bird. “She's pregnant, asshole.”
He points. “Out.”
We make our way up the stairs, Alyssa sputtering obscenities the entire time.
I motion for her to give me the keys to her apartment but she stomps her foot and says, “I forgot my purse in the damn cab.”