js2017sales@g*******m

Chapter 19-20

With Victoria only ten days old, Craig and I are starting to get cabin fever. We haven't been out in weeks because the flu season this year has been horrible. I heard the kids at the end of the block were actual hospitalized due to the illness so we are not taking any chances! Tonight we are just going to stream some movies in our theater room. Craig went all out designing the space. It has several large reclining theater seats with a huge screen. The room had this gold and black carpet with large speakers on the walls. He had a mini concession stand installed that he keeps fully stocked with just about every known candy available. It also has a full bar along with a popcorn machine. I have to say it is pretty awesome having all this right under our roof. 

After putting our daughter to bed we headed in to watch our movie. Craig has some type of connection that provides us with every new movie that has just been released. He also hired and trained several house staff that know how to run the projector. Now we don't have to worry about being disturbed if the movie malfunctions. As we walk into the room, Greta is already starting up the popcorn machine. The buttery aroma filled the air. It smelled delicious!  

̈ ̈Hello Mr. and Mrs. Whitman, what can I get you?¨ she politely asked us. The popcorn kernels were still popping away.  

¨I´ll take some snowcaps and can I just have a small popcorn please.¨ I began looking around at what I would like to drink. I couldn't have any alcohol since I was nursing Victoria and I forgot to pump today. ̈Can I also have a soda, I don't really care which one you pick.¨ I added while taking the popcorn bucket from her. It almost looked just like the ones you get down at the local cinema. Craig then ordered a beer. He told Greta we were going to sit down, just to bring everything over to us. As we walked over to our seats the lights started to lower. ̈Wow, they are really on it tonight.¨ I said jokingly as I was kind of impressed how professional they were being. We had a few instances of staff cursing or just chatting on their phones. Craig runs a pretty tight ship so that is definitely not allowed. 

We slid back into our seats. I pressed the button to extend my foot rest just as Greta approached with our drinks. ̈ ̈Jade, is that your cellphone?̈ Craig asked. He sounded really annoyed at the fact I brought it with me. ¨I promise I won't use it at all.¨ I quickly added trying to diffuse the situation. Craig reached over to take my phone. ¨I will hold it for you.¨ he said while turning it off. I knew he was right. I pay way too much attention to my phone. This was our night so I wasn't about to have a silly argument with him. As the movie started, Craig leaned over and spilled into my seat. His arm over my legs, as he rested his head on my shoulder. I was wearing a cute little dress I ordered weeks ago. I pulled it down some to cover my legs as it was cold in the room. He began running his hands up and down my legs. ̈ ̈Your legs feel so silky, Jade. ̈ he said as he turned to give me a kiss. ¨You better watch the movie.¨ I joked. Honestly, I couldn´t pay it much attention with him touching me. I felt myself start to breathe a little heavier. ¨Oh gosh.¨ I thought to myself. I felt like a kid again, panting over my crush. Craig leaned in again to give me another kiss. His lips tasted like cherry licorish. He began kissing me when I heard Greta ask to be excused. ¨What is it Greta?¨ Craig barked. ¨Sir, you have an important call¨ she said as her voice began to crack. Craig took the phone from her. ¨Hello¨ he said now sounding even more annoyed at the situation. I knew it was something serious because he shifted his body weight back towards his chair. ¨When?!¨ he asked angrily. I started to worry. I rarely see this side of him. I knew something had to be wrong because he hasn't been himself all day. He seems very short with staff. I felt as if he was trying to put on his best face for me. I started to rub his back, but he jumped to his feet. ̈ ̈How can this be-how could you let this happen?!¨ The look in his eyes was full of rage. I wasn't sure what was going on. I knew not to interrupt, so I just sat there staring at him with worry all over my face. Craig hastily headed out of the room. I sat there puzzled. The door opened again. It was Seth, he is the head of our security team. ̈Mrs. Whitman, please follow me!¨ he was now urging me to stand up. I followed him out the door. I could see our security shutters closing on the windows at the end of the hall. ̈ ̈What is happening?!¨ I began to panic. Seth didn't answer. He ushered me into a room that led to our panic room. He punched a code into the keypad. The big steel door began to open. ̈ ̈Ma ́am, please wait here for Mr. Whitman to join you ̈ he said while helping me up the steps and into the room. Victoria was already there with Sammie. ̈ ̈What is going on Jade?!̈ ̈ Sammie now beginning to ask the same questions, but no one would give us an answer. Seth walked back out. He entered the code again to close the door. 

I picked up Victoria who was now crying from all the commotion. ̈ ̈It's ok ̈ I whispered in her ear trying to reassure her. She was so tiny so any noise startled her awake. I felt helpless for a moment. I have no clue what is going on or if Craig is safe. I know he has many enemies due to his line of work in the past. There are many people who would like to get revenge on him. I was starting to pace back and forth. Sammie walked over to me. I could see she was beyond freaked out. ̈ ̈Let me take the baby Jade.¨ she said as she took her from my arms. My eyes began to fill with tears. ¨He will be ok.¨ she added. The panic room was rather small. The walls were painted grey. There wasn't any windows due to fear someone could get access to it from the outside. It has a bathroom with a small stand up shower. There was only one twin bed that had dark green sheets with a dark green comforter. There was a small round table next to it with a few wooden chairs. They brought in Victoria ́s bassent for her to sleep in and there was about a month worth of food in the cabinets that hung directly above the bed. 

The large steel door was bulletproof and unless you knew the code you could not open it from either side. I knew we were safe, but safe from what was the real question? I pulled out a chair from the table to take a seat. I was in shock. ̈ ̈What is going on here?!¨ I repeatedly kept asking myself. Craig and I were just enjoying a date night and now I am sitting in a panic room. I was starting to feel the anxiety flowing through my body. My heart was pounding in my chest. Hours had passed and we had not heard anything. Sammie was now laying down with Victoria. As she started to fall asleep, I went over and placed my daughter in her bassinet. After making sure she was fast asleep, I reached into my pocket to get out my cell phone. ̈Ugh, Craig has it!¨ Now my frustration was at a max! I was starting to get angry not knowing what was happening. A few more hours passed and still no word. I was getting tired so I climbed into bed next to Sammie.

As I lay on the twin bed with her it reminded me of when we were kids. Everytime mom would have one of her outburst, we would climb in bed together and pray she would leave us alone. Now here we are adults and we are hiding again. This time I am not sure exactly what we are hiding from! I laid there for awhile before drifting off to sleep. The next morning I was awakened by Victoria ́s cries for food. I took her out of her bed and sat at the table to begin nursing her. As I was cradling her I just started to weep. ¨This isn't supposed to be like this. ̈ I told myself. I can ́t understand how our perfect little life has turned upside down again! I haven't felt this afraid in a very long time. Craig and I have already been through so much! ¨We don't deserve this!¨ I cried while wiping the tears from my eyes. I must've cried for at least a half hour before Sammie woke up. ̈Are you ok?¨ She asked while staring at my tear soaked face. I had cried so much my nose began to feel stuffy.

¨I am Sammie.¨ I tried to reassure her, but I myself wasn't even sure if I was okay. I was starting to worry about Craig. I couldn't ever imagine losing him. He is my whole world now! Honestly, he has changed my life. Without him, I would be so lost. He is truly the love of my life. Victoria had finally stop suckeling so I decided I should burp her. I was patting her back when Sammie came to join me at the table.

 ̈Is Craig back in the business again? ̈ she asked as she whispered quietly incase someone could hear on the other side of the door. It was such a complicated answer that I knew she would never understand so I told her he wasn ́t. I didn't want her to get the wrong idea about him. Sure, he could be the most deadly man, but he was changed now that he married me. I truly believe that everything we have been through has changed him for the better. Even if it isn't true, I have to believe that he has!        

                                                                    Chapter 20

Sammie and I were sitting at the table in the panic room talking when we heard someone punching in the code on the keypad outside. The door began to slide open. It was Craig! ̈ ̈Thank god you are ok!¨ I jumped to my feet and ran over to him. While standing on my tippy toes, I closed my eyes and threw my arms around his neck. Craig then leaned in to kiss me on my cheek. I opened my eyes and saw Seth with several other security me standing behind him. ̈ ̈What ́s going on Craig-tell me now!¨ I said firmly. Craig asked me to step outside with him. I turned to a very worried Sammie and I asked her to watch Victoria for me. As we walked out into the hall just outside the door, I could see Seth standing on the other side. ̈ ̈What is it Craig?!” Now begging to know what is going on. He told me that his father was back. He was spotted just two miles from our home. 

It felt like someone hit me in the gut. I leaned over placing my hands on my knees trying to gather myself. Craig now leaning over while placing his hand on the small of my back. ̈ ̈Jade, you know I will always protect you no matter what!¨ I could tell by the sound of his voice he was actually afraid of what this meant. We hadn't heard from his father since the night Craig went in to kill him. As far as we knew he fled the country when the feds were looking for him. I pounced back up. ̈ ̈Call the authorities and have him arrested!¨ I shouted. That would be the rational actions when a madman his here to kill you, right?! Craig told me somehow through his connection he not only managed to get all the charges against him, but his secret society was up and running again. Apparently, he has half of the police, along with the governor in his pocket. The whole manhunt was merely for show! They pinned it on some guy that was already offered by Craig weeks prior to the incident. 

There was nothing we could do besides wait for his next move. The fact that he was already sniffing around could only mean a few things. He knows that Craig and I are married and he is here to kill me or he wants to win Craig back over as his hitman. We all know Whitman Sr. doesn ́t like getting his hands dirty. I immediately asked Craig if he thought he was a direct threat to just me or him as well? I needed to know what we are really dealing with now. Him and I breached our contracts. Oh and lets not forget the bloodbath left behind by Craig in his attempt to kill him. I am sure he isn't a forgiving man.   

I could tell Craig was trying to dance around it so I would become emotional, but it was a little too late for that because I was freaking! Our home was now a dungeon! The security shutters were still down. The fact we have bullet proof glass makes it that more worrisome that they would have the place closed up. It was so dark that you couldn't tell the time of day. If that isn't bad, the army of security men walking around makes the place look like a military base. All of them in suits, communicating only by code words. Craig was also in his suit with his fully loaded gun waiting and ready in his shoulder strap. I began to nervously rub my head. ̈ ̈God Craig, is he going to kill me?!¨ I shouted. Not sure if I really wanted to hear the answer.

¨You know I would never let that happen Jade!̈ ̈ Craig pulled me into his chest and rested his chin on my head. I could hear his heart racing. He was as nervous as I am. 

̈ ̈Jade, I need you to stay in the panic room a little while longer.¨ He then pushes me back enough to look into my eyes. ¨I have to go meet with him.¨ Before he could finish I began to protest! ̈ ̈No...Craig no!¨ I just started to cry. I didn't want to lose him. He reassured me that he has enough men that he will be coming back. Craig told me that he needed to know what his motives are because he wasn't going to sit and wait for him to come and kill us. ̈ ̈Jade, I have to go for you and Vikki.¨ He choked back tears as he looked away. Then his whole demeanor changed. His eyes black, full of rage. He told me to go wait inside the panic room until he returned. I knew not to say a word so I just did what I was told. I went back inside and sat with Sammie. That is when it hit me! This was more than just Craig and I! This involves my baby sister, my daughter and there was no way I was going to just sit by and let things just happen to me again! My father and Robbie died because of this lunatic and there is no way I will let him kill my husband while I sit and wait! I walked over to the intercom and begged the man standing guard to please open the door. I told him I had to go up stairs and get my medicine and some of my nursing supplies. He refused and offered to go for me. I begged and pleaded until he finally gave in. 

When the door popped open there stood a very tall man with the meanest look on his face. ¨You go and we come right back-no funny stuff!¨ He has a Russian accent so it made everything he just said that much scarier. I responded nervously, ̈Of course ̈. I diverted my eyes to the ground as I walked past him. Once in my room I began ruffling through some of my stuff.I grabbed some clothes and stepped into the bathroom. He began to follow me. ̈ ̈Can I get some privacy please!¨ I snapped. He turned around and ordered me to leave the door open. I decided to not push his patients and agreed to leave the door open. I started to pull on my black slacks, black cotton turtleneck and black heels. I pulled my golden locks back into a ponytail like I use to wear as a kid. Just then the security guard barled for me to hurry up. We had several escape routes around the house, one being inside this bathroom. I told him that my milk started to leak all over me before I could begin pumping so I needed a quick shower. I turned on the water and checked to make sure he wasn't looking. Off to the back of the room was a door that I slipped away into. There was an escape bag full of cash, id ́s and keys to all of the cars outfront. I grabbed my sister's keys to her car and I headed down. I knew I didn't have long. I made my way to the lower floor that led out into the kitchen. 

I looked around and saw one man standing near the fridge. I listened closely, I could hear security yelling I was missing. The big man bolted towards the stairwell. This was it, my only chance to get outside. I ran to the door and frantically searched for the key to the door. Once I got it open I crawled as quick as I could to the car. Now there was security running all over the place. Just as I hopped into my sister ́s car, I heard someone yell ̈she's over there ̈! I panicked! I knew I couldn't back up as they were closing in. I decided I only had one choice so I floored it! I drove through the bushes making my way onto the road. I drove as fast as I could. I knew those streets like the back of my hand. Surprisingly, I lost them! I couldn't believe it! 

My adrenaline was pumping as I drove to Mr. Whitman ́s mansion. I swerved in and out of traffic. I must of ran every stop sign on the way there. I knew I couldn't drive up to his front door so I parked down the road. I figured I would have to sneak in through the back. The only problem was going to be getting past his army of men that would give their lives for him. Getting inside wasn't going to be easy. I got out of Sammie ́s car, leaving the keys under the seat. I didn't want to take the chance of losing them if I actually make it back out. I noticed there were several down tree limbs so I decided it is best to cover the car with them. I know if Craig see ́s this car he will know I am here. I grabbed as many as I could until you could barely tell the car was there. It actually looked like it was apart of the large bushes that lines the road way. It was dark out now. I can see the lights from the house from where I was standing. Craig ́s car was parked right out front. There were several of our security cars out there as well. In the distance at the bottom of the street I saw headlights speeding up towards me. 

̈ ̈Oh no!¨ I couldn't believe my security guards were already here. I crouched down so they wouldn't see me. The lights brushed past my head so I got down onto my stomach. The rocks beneath me now pushing into my stomach. I brushed the pieces of my golden hair that came loose out of my face. I was getting a feeling that I should back out. I should just go back! This was probably my worst idea ever I told myself! I am laying in the dirt along side of a road with my big plan on bursting into the number one hitman´s home unarmed was starting to sound very dumb to say the least! I looked towards the driveway that leads to the mansion. My security guys were frantically pacing back and forth on the phone with someone. As I kept watching, I saw Craig and his security walk out the doors of the mansion. I let out a huge sigh of relief! I was so worried that he may never walk out those doors depending on what his father had planned. 

I don ́t know if it was all the stress of the last few days or just the relief of seeing the man I love ok, but I just started crying. As I started wiping the tears from my face I released my hands were covered in dirt. I laughed for a brief moment. I can only imagine what my face must look like. What girl with blonde hair, gold hoops, wearing all black goes on a secret mission unarmed only to end up on the ground crying. ̈ ̈Oh gosh, what am I doing?¨ I questioned myself again. I knew one thing was for sure, this was the craziest idea I have ever had!