Chapter 6
1182 Words
I panicked and struggled, my hands trying to pry his away from my mouth, but his grip was firm. I even tried to bite him, a desperate, last-ditch effort, when he suddenly shushed me. His voice was a calm, low whisper right in my ear, cutting through my terror.
“Shhh, Ms. Hastings. Don't scream. There are people in the house, and they’ll hear you. I’m the bodyguard Mr. Crane sent to protect you. Do you understand?”
I nodded frantically. He must have felt the movement, because he spoke again, his voice still low and steady. “Good. I'm going to let go of you now. Don't make a sound, okay?”
I nodded again, and he released me. A shuddering breath tore through my lungs. The tension that had held me rigid began to seep away, replaced by a profound sense of relief.
“What do you mean there are people in the house?” I whispered, my voice barely audible. I had been so careful coming in, and hadn't heard or seen a thing.
“They're in the living room,” he whispered back. “It looks like they fell asleep. They're probably drunk.”
“Oh, my God!” My heart pounded against my ribs. Jay truly wanted me dead. He hadn’t just hired kidnappers; he had people waiting for me in my own home, a contingency plan in case I somehow escaped. My body trembled with a mixture of fear and rage.
“Wait here,” he said, his voice now a calm command. “And wear this.” He handed me something that felt like a surgical mask in the dim light. Before I could process his words, he was gone, slipping out of the room and closing the door behind him. I quickly put the mask on, hoping I hadn't been too slow.
Two minutes later, he was back, opening the door with a quiet confidence that made me jump.
“Relax, Ms. Hastings, it's just me,” I heard a hint of amusement in his voice, but I was too scared to be annoyed.
How was I going to get out of a house filled with men who wanted to kill me?
He seemed to sense my dilemma. “Don't worry, I made sure they're sound asleep. They won't wake up for at least an hour. Mr. Crane said you had to get something. Just pick it up and we can leave.”
He added, “You can turn on the lights. No one will know.”
I flipped the switch, bathing the room in light. I moved quickly, my hands shaking as I went through my drawers. I grabbed the envelope that contained the documents about my parents, as well as my personal ID. I was about to grab some clothes when the bodyguard spoke again.
“Mr. Crane said not to worry about clothes. He’ll take care of all your other needs until this is over.”
I would have argued before, but after what I had been through, I knew he was right. I wasn't equipped for this. I needed his help. As long as he could get me out of here safely, I would do anything he said.
It was only now, in the bright light of the bedroom, that I finally looked at him. My heart did a double-take. He was the man from the street, the one who had stopped to ask me if I was okay.
“H-h-ow?” I stammered, completely stunned.
“Oh, you remember me,” he said, a small, knowing smile on his face. “I’ve been following you since you left the penthouse. Mr. Crane’s orders. I had to survey the building before you went in to make sure it was safe. I saw you looking lost and thought you might need some help, so I approached you.”
“Oh. Okay,” was all I could manage to say.
He gestured for me to follow. I held the bag with my documents close to my chest and crept out of the bedroom. My heart was in my throat, and I was trembling from within. He switched off the light and took my hand, a silent gesture of reassurance.
He used a small flashlight, illuminating the living room floor. Lying on the seats and on the floor were at least five men, all in a deep, peaceful sleep. I gasped involuntarily, a wave of cold terror washing over me as I realized how close I had been to them when I walked in. I could have tripped over one of them. I could have been caught.
He held my hand tighter, his grip firm and steady, offering a silent comfort that I desperately needed. I felt a surge of gratitude for Mr. Crane. Without him, I would have walked right into a trap and lost my life.
We made it out of the apartment without a sound. My heart didn't settle until we were safely in his car, which was parked on the same block where I had gotten off the taxi. He truly had followed me, yet I hadn't noticed him once. This proved that Jay was a far more dangerous adversary than I could handle alone. Mr. Crane was right; I really needed his help.
I sat in the backseat, leaning back and closing my eyes, utterly exhausted. I realized the bodyguard hadn't worn a mask back in the apartment, and was surprised how he was okay after whatever he had used on those men. Made me wonder how often he did that to be immune to it. But I dismissed those thoughts and relaxed. That was his problem, not mine. As long as I had gotten out of there safe, that's what was important.
I could hear him make a phone call, which I assumed was to Mr. Crane, but I was too tired to care. The rest of the drive back to the penthouse was silent.
When we stepped out of the elevator, Mr. Cross was waiting. “Welcome back, Ms. Hastings,” he said, a look of relief on his face. He nodded at the bodyguard, who turned to get back into the elevator.
“Wait,” I called out, stopping him just as he was about to press the button.
He turned back. “Yes, Ms. Hastings?”
“I just wanted to thank you for helping me. I don’t know what I would have done if you weren't there.”
“Don’t worry. It’s my job. Mr. Crane is the one who made all the arrangements.”
“I know. But thanks anyway.”
“You’re welcome.” He paused for a moment before I asked my next question.
“Is it okay if I ask for your name? I just want to know so I don’t keep calling you ‘sir’ every time we see each other.”
He smiled, a genuine, warm smile. “Of course. You can call me Vince.” With that, he pressed the button, and the elevator doors closed.
- Writer
