Chapter 8: The kidnap
949 Words
Josie's POV
I couldn't stop thinking about that email, the words echoed in my head like a bad dream, "You didn't die the way you were supposed to."
Who knew enough to send that, It had to be someone from my past life Julian or Sarah or maybe even Martha with her gin-soaked spite. I sat in the penthouse office Alexander had set up for me.
Staring at the computer screen my fingers hovering over the keyboard, I had to investigate before it eats me up, I logged into the Hart financial portal using the access he gave me after the marriage yesterday.
A wedding that locked everything in place.
The offshore accounts were the first thing I checked, the ones Julian thought were hidden, deep activities spiked overnight, transfers bouncing between Switzerland and Cayman Islands-small amounts at first then bigger ones like he was testing the waters.
Julian was moving money desperately, to salvage what I hadn't drained yet I traced one and it led to a cheap apartment in the city, the same address I spied on when he was still in New York, but why the sudden spikes.
It felt like he was gearing up for something big and it made my skin crawl because since he knew about the marriage, he should know I am under Alexander's protection now.
The marriage had been fast opulent but tense with security everywhere and vows that felt more like chains than promises, Alexander's gaze during the ceremony wasn't fake anymore, it burned right through me after the rings were on.
He pulled me aside in the penthouse his hand on my waist possessive as always "We should leave New York Josephine" he said. let's go to Tokyo start afresh leave this old life behind you and Lily.
The Hart empire has offices there we can run things from afar, be safe from the mess Julian left" I stared at him surprised because Tokyo meant cutting ties completely.
A new schools for Lily, new everything but part of me liked the idea of escaping the shadows here.
Think about it, he added, brushing my cheek for Lily's sake
. I nodded but inside my mind was racing due to the email, nothing felt connected.
I needed air so I grabbed my keys and headed to the garage telling the nanny I'd be back soon for Lily. The car started smooth Alexander's black SUV armored and fast As I pulled out onto the street.
I noticed something, a shadowy tail dark sedan two cars behind matching my turns too perfectly.
My heart sped up, was this Julian or someone else? I evaded narrowly taking a sharp left through traffic then a quick U turn losing them in the chaos of midday rush.
I parked in a side alley breathing hard hands gripping the wheel.
Who was following me, the email sender? Julian's people? I couldn't tell Alexander yet not until I had proof.
Back at the penthouse, I tried to act normal playing with Lily in her room, her laughter the only thing keeping me grounded.
She was drawing pictures of us as a family now with Alexander in them and it warmed me a little seeing her happy after everything.
The marriage had changed things he was softer with her, reading stories, buying gifts and now proposing Tokyo like he really cared about starting over.
My phone rang Lily's school the voice on the line tight "Mrs Hart we had an unknown man inquiring about Lily's safety today asking for her schedule and pickup times.
We didn't give anything but thought you should know, I froze. who was this man? Julian or the people after my second chance or is this just a mere message? And I am just reading unnecessary meaning into it.
We had to move the travel plans up Alexander agreed when I told him about the school call his face dark with rage.
Tokyo tomorrow, he said. pulling me close, I'll keep you both safe. The day of travel came chaotic with packing and last-minute calls Lily excited about the plan, but I was on edge, watching every corner at the airport as we boarded the private jet. Security felt tight around us yet something unexpected happened.
A van screeched up blocking the path, men in masks jumping out grabbing Lily from the nanny's arms before we could react.
She screamed...... Mommy! and my world shattered I lunged but Alexander held me back his voice barking orders. They have her Track them now!!
The kidnap hit like a knife twisting old memories of my death. Hours passed in the jet as we tried to get informations on the kidnappers.
Alexander's team hacking cameras and phones, we finally found the hideout a warehouse outside the city.
He stormed in with me behind, guns drawn and there she was Lily tied but unharmed. Sarah standing over her with a smirk Julian in the corner bruised and desperate It was them, hiring thugs to take her as leverage for the money.
Alexander moved like a storm. Disarming Sarah in seconds, his men cuffing Julian while I ran to Lily holding her tight tears burning "It's okay baby Mommy's here"
The rescue brought us closer, Alexander and I, it was tough but we did something and we decided to not delay the travel for one more second, on the way to Tokyo Lily fell asleep between us he took my hand his touch gentle for once.
I almost lost you both, he said.
I looked at him really loving the way his eyes softened and the spark I had ignored building since the contract especially our kiss kept increasing.
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