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The black Hummer H3 screeched to a halt in front of a seedy motel and the doors flew open. John Abruzzi stepped out and straightened his jacket. The men surrounding him quickly skimmed the area for anyone that might be moving in on Mr. Abruzzi. Satisfied that the area was clear they ushered him into room 117 and stood watch outside.
John uneasily stepped into the room and removed his sunglasses. It had been over forty- eight hours since he'd escaped Fox River and now he was meeting up with the one person that could get him out of the country and to safety. There were at least twenty people in the room all of whom were too preoccupied with loading their weapons and getting their orders which were being handed out by a petite redhead at the back of the room. John couldn't help but say a quick prayer. If this was the woman who he was putting his life in the hands of then he was surely a dead man.
He cleared his throat and she spun on her heels and came face-to-face with John Abruzzi. "So we finally meet." She extended her hand and gripped his in a firm handshake. "Mirabella Borrelli."
John pulled her hand to his lips and brushed a kiss across her knuckles and gave her a crooked smile. "So you're the one I'm paying the big bucks to protect me."
"That's me sir. And may I add its money well spent." She motioned to a chair near her make shift desk. "Please have a seat Mr. Abruzzi and let me fill you in."
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"This is not what I agreed to! I won't be used as bait!" John paced the room causing everyone to grow a little nervous.
Mirabella calmly stood and closed a manila folder on the desk. "That's fine Mr. Abruzzi. It's your call. But let me tell you this. You agreed to me protecting you and that's what I'm trying to do. Don't get me wrong I understand that a man of your stature might have a problem with a woman calling the shots but take a look at my resume and maybe you'll feel a little better." She handed him the folder and excused herself to get a cup of coffee.
John watched as she walked away and ran a hand over his hair. She was right of course but he would never admit to it. It wasn't that she was a woman; well that was a small part of it. The biggest part of his problem with her plan is that he didn't fully trust her. But she was his only chance at making it to freedom alive.
"Coffee?" Mirabella asked as she held out a cup to him.
"Thanks."
She took a sip and leaned back in her chair. "We've got about an hour before go time. My men are getting into place now. So what's it going to be?"
John toyed with the cross necklace that hung around his neck as if it would give him the answers. "Give me one reason why I should trust this plan?"
"'l'll give you five million Mr. Abruzzi, plus one more. Alex Mahone and his men are on your tail and had you walking right into their set up because you are too set on getting your revenge on Fibonocchi. I'm
the one that intercepted the hit on you and devised this plan. I'm the one your right hand man recommended. I'm the one that's here now ready to take down anyone that gets too close. You're not in prison anymore Mr. Abruzzi. Feel free to walk out that door at any moment, but when you do you are no longer my problem."
John took in all that she had said. It was a bitter pill to swallow especially when he was use to being the one in charge, but under the circumstances he had no choice. "Fine. I'll bite, but I'm warning you if this goes wrong my men will be all over you. You won't see the light of day ten minutes past my death."
"I really love your optimism Mr. Abruzzi." Her sarcasm didn't sit well with him and he shrugged it off hitting her with a dose of his own.
"Please, call me John. After all my life is in your capable hands."
She smirked and handed him a bulletproof vest. "Put this on, it's almost time to go. You have any questions?"
"Nope."
