Chapter 29 Tragic
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
TRAGIC
Lennon
“As tragic as it is, we appreciate you sharing your experience with us so this won’t happen to another human.
After everything you’ve been through, that can’t be easy.
We will continue to push this story until your father, Reed Shaw, is in custody and the human trafficking ring that he’s been running is broken.
The man who held you against your will and forced you into labor for six years is behind bars, which is the first step.
I hope you’ll come back to discuss the case as it progresses. We wish you healing and peace, Lennon.”
My palms sweat where I have my hands clenched in my lap. “When I found out there were more victims, I knew I had to speak up. Thank you for allowing me to share.”
The split screen disappears, and it pans to the anchor who jumped on my story when Chrissie started making calls.
In place of me on the camera, there’s a picture of my father that they found on the internet that was taken at a party last year at an elaborate estate on the Florida coast. He looks just like he did when he walked into The Greenhouse and created shock and awe among the team of people who thought they only needed to take down Andrei.
Little did we all know, my father is the mastermind behind the much bigger crime ring.
“Reed Shaw has a federal warrant out for his arrest. He was last seen at the famous Manor at Winslet but holds residence in Fort Myers, Florida. He’s fifty-three, five-eleven, and medium build.
His information and more on this story will be available across our social media platforms and website.
Stay tuned for more on this developing story. ”
The news cuts to the next story, and the producer takes over from the studio in New York.
“Good job. That should do it. Unless the world blows up before then, this will continue to be the lead story throughout the rest of the day. I’ve been in this business long enough, be prepared to be bombarded with other news outlets wanting interviews.
We appreciate you reaching out to us. We’ll continue following this and be in touch. ”
Harlow stands behind the camera from the regional affiliate who came to record the story and mutters under her breath, “I’m going to remind them of that when we have a press release that we need to get out into the world.”
I guess that’s it. Besides wringing my fingers to death in a way that reminds me of Felicity, it wasn’t horrible. It’s not like I’ve been on social media for the last six years, so it will be easy to ignore public comments.
I take out my earpiece, untangle myself from the audio wires, and give them to the cameraman. “Thank you. You made that a not-so-painful experience.”
He’s already packing up his gear. “You did great. Sounds like I might be back.”
Jett pulls me into his arms. “I’m in awe of your bravery. Now we sit back and see what he does. There’s no more hiding out in the shadows for Reed Shaw. The world knows what he’s capable of, and his days of ruining people’s lives and his freedom are numbered.”
We’re in Harlow and Devon’s family room again.
This place really is the most private on the resort.
Devon walks into the room through the door and looks right at me.
“You did exactly what you needed to do. I watched it live on my cell on my way up here. Ozzy has expanded his surveillance to every number that has contacted Reed. If your father is communicating with them through another line, we’ll find him.
This was exactly what we needed to do to flush out the bastard. ”
I press my front to Jett’s side and wrap my arms around his waist. “I hope so. The sooner this will be over the better.”
Devon pulls a key fob from his pocket and slings it through the air at Jett. “You’re just like your sister having a new auto hand-delivered like it’s toilet paper. Only your sister likes Jags to your all-American pickup truck.”
I look up at Jett as he catches the fob in midair. “You bought a new truck?”
He shrugs like he’s embarrassed by the news. “My other one had almost a hundred and fifty thousand miles anyway. I decided to bite the bullet and upgrade. If for no other reason, I need a way to visit the pets. Panther and Smoke will never forgive me if I go another day.”
Harlow rolls her eyes at Devon. “I’m surprised you didn’t take it for a spin like you did when I bought a new car.”
Devon smirks. “You were about to leave me. Desperate times call for desperate measures, baby.”
“Take me for a ride,” I demand. “It will get my mind off of this. And I haven’t been out of the manor in days.”
Jett tosses the fob into the air and catches it. “We’ll test out the four-wheel drive in the fresh snow.”
Despite just sitting down with a national news desk and spilling my sordid life details, I’m surprisingly excited to go for a drive. My smile spreads across my face. “I’ll grab my coat on the way down. I can’t wait.”
We’re almost through the atrium when the door man calls for Jett. “Mr. Cross—I have a delivery for you. It just arrived.”
We walk over to the concierge’s desk where an enormous gift basket sits. It’s exploding with bottles of wine, cheeses, meats, and all kinds of sweets. I peek at all the goodies. “This is gorgeous. Who’s it from? If you have a secret admirer, I just may have a jealous side that I never knew about.”
Jett plucks the card off the top and reads it aloud. “Welcome to Stonebridge. We’re happy to have you as a part of the team. It’s signed from the corporate office.”
“I’ve never gotten a gift basket before.” I pull out a bag of chocolate covered cookies that are drizzled with caramel. “I was so nervous for my interview, I haven’t eaten all day. Can I open these?”
Jett stuffs the card back in the top. “Have all you want. There’s not one thing in this basket that’s on my I-almost-died-from-bum-kidneys diet. And since things are looking up for the first time in years, I’m dedicated to the cause. Consider it yours.”
I’ve already bitten into a cookie and talk with my mouth full. “Oh my gosh, this is so good. It’s filled with hazelnut. I’m going to make it my mission to eat more desserts.”
Jett pulls out a beautifully packaged bag labeled lemon bars. “Here, have at it. What’s mine is yours.”
I wave another cookie in his face as I finish off the first one. “I’m pretty sure your organs can handle one cookie, Jett.”
“I’ve got too much to live for.” He smirks and kisses me on the forehead before turning to the doorman. “Could you please have them put this behind the desk for us? We’ll get it on our way back in.”
He picks up the over-flowing basket. “I can bring it up to your room for you if you’d like?”
Jett puts a hand at the small of my back and waves him off. “Don’t bother. Remember, I’m not a normal guest. The less anyone serves me, the better.”
The doorman smiles. “It’ll be waiting in the backroom in the fridge when you return. Enjoy your evening.”
I break open the bag of lemon bars on our way out the door. I’m mid-bite when I come to a stop in front of a shiny, black truck. I wonder if they washed it right here in the circle drive after they delivered it. There’s not a water spot or spec of sludge on it from driving it through the snow.
We both stand and stare at it as I swallow my first bite of lemon bar. “It’s huge. And very clean.”
Jett pulls in a deep breath but doesn’t move to open the door.
“I’ve never had a new car before. At least not a brand new one.
There are moments where I feel like I’m living a weird parallel life that I don’t belong in.
Some days I don’t recognize myself in the mirror. A new kidney. New family. Stonebridge.”
I turn to him. “You deserve every bit of your new life. No one deserves it more than you.”
He turns to me. “And you. More than anything, I found you.”
I pull in a deep breath and try to shake away the warm gooey feeling that runs through me. “I feel the same way.”
“Sorry, I’m making you stand out here in the cold.” He beeps the locks and every light on the truck flashes. “Let’s get you in and warmed up.”
He opens the passenger door, and I juggle my decadent snacks that will surely put me into a sugar coma if I’m not careful. I climb in and sink into the plush leather seats that feel like a dream. He’s in the driver’s seat in no time, and the engine turns over with barely a hum.
I run my hand along the leather console before I pull my seatbelt across my lap.
“It smells so good. Maybe we should just drive across the country and not come back until all our problems are fixed. I could go back in and get the rest of the gift basket. I don’t know what you’ll eat, but I’ll be good for at least a few days. ”
He puts it in drive and pulls away from the manor. I had no idea trucks could be so luxurious. I take a bite of another cookie and settle in.
“Where do you want to go, baby?”
I lean my head back on the headrest and feel relaxed for the first time in days. I roll my head to the side and look at Jett. “I don’t care. You can take me wherever you want, and I’d be the happiest woman on earth.”
Jett reaches over and takes my free hand that’s not covered in chocolate. “Do not tempt me. I may just take you up on that.”
Jett
We decided to throw it in four-wheel drive and head farther up the mountain to watch the sunset.
She snacked, and we talked. I promised after the board meeting tomorrow, I would take her to town so she could meet the animals.
The sun just set, and darkness clouds the cab of my new truck. This just goes to show, money makes life easy. This thing is the shit. The seats are warm, and Lennon has reclined hers so far, it looks like she might take up residence.
“The first thing on my to-do list after I fuck up the contract with Helix with my big, fat no vote is look for a place to live, and you’re coming with me. You are not going back to the library basement.”
She doesn’t argue. She also doesn’t say anything.
“Are you okay with that? I want that more than anything.” I look over and she’s asleep. I reach over and touch her cheek. “You’ve had a long day. I’ll take you back.”
She doesn’t move.
She doesn’t even flinch.
I raise my voice. “Lennon.”
I unhook my seat belt and reach over the console. I turn her face to me, but her head lolls to her shoulder in an instant.
“Lennon!” My voice vibrates through the cab. “Wake up!”
I put my fingers to her neck.
A pulse.
A weak one, but it’s there.
“Fuck,” I growl, and throw the truck into reverse. I almost spin out in the snow when I gun it to make it down the mountain.
I should call nine-one-one, but there’s no point. I can get her to the hospital faster than anyone can get to us.
I can’t lose her.
I just fucking found her.
I press my fingers to her wrist as I drive. As long as I feel her pulse under my touch, I can hang onto the hope that she’ll be okay. “Stay with me, baby. I’ll get you help, but you have to stay with me.”