I always hated waiting for updates...
B
"Sweetie, did you guys sleep together?"
"Of course not Lou , this is just his job. And as soon as possible I'm headed back out west. When does your flight leave?" Climbing into my bed she looks concerned.
"I can stay as long as necessary. It is no trouble."
"I know but its out of the question. Your safety is way more important to me than you hanging out here anymore."
"I'm worried about you being here."
"Right now I need to focus on finding my family and worry about my safety later. Want to help me drag those boxes to the office?"
"What's in them? Have you opened them?"
"Not yet, but we will. "
"I have a few hours before my flight leaves. Let's move it all"
"let's get started before Ranger decides to interrupt."
I grab I laptop and Mary Lou grabs the others. Heading to the office to search them. We lined them up on the table and booted them up.
"Sweetie, I'm going to finish packing. I will be back in a bit."
Nodding I sat down in front of them entering pass codes to access the information.
An hour had passed and I kept searching the computers for some small piece of information.
"What are you doing?" Val yelled. I jumped.
"Trying to find out where my family is. What are you doing here?"
"Checking on you of course. I talked to Joe . You need to watch that temper of yours."
"Do you see all this?" I said gesturing to my injuries.
"This is why I'm angry. And if you haven't noticed I've been angry for years. So tell me what is going on here Valerie . I'm done playing games."
"I don't know anything. But I think you should go back to California."
"Like hell I am. You know something and I will find out what."
"How on earth can you make that accusation?"
"Because I've seen the warehouse, cousin! You can either tell me or get out your choice."
He turned and walked out the door. I returned to the computers and shut them all down as the throbbing in my shoulder increased. Walking back into the main house Mary Lou was putting her suitcases near the door, as Ranger was picking them up to take them outside to the SUV.
"Ready Steph ?"
"Let me grab my bag and we can leave."
Locking up the house and setting the alarms was like preparing to leave for weeks not a few hours. I climbed into the backseat so if need be I could lay down.
I awoke when we came to a stop in the airport garage. Lou turned around in the front passenger seat.
"Its not to late to let me stay with you two."
"Ranger, this is all you. She won't listen to me. Will you tell her she will be safer back in New York City."
She put up her hands as if she was surrendering. We walked to check and then to the security check point for the gate. Mary Lou turned to hug me.
"Steph, how about you go sit down on the bench for a minute you looked exhausted."
I walked over to the bench. Ranger keeping my in view as Lou started towards him. Coming within inches of his face. He responded and took two steps backwards and they shook hands. Mary Lou hurried over to me.
"Call you when I land."
Hugging me I cringed as she grazed my arm. She ran back to the gate and walked through security. As a man in a black suit and sunglasses sat down on the bench.
"That was a warning shot." I turned towards him.
"What are you talking about? And who are you?"
"I'm here to deliver your final warning! Go back to California and stop looking for your family other wise, when we find them they won't be found!" "
"Are you threatening me?"
He got up and I reached for him but he knocked me back, so I lunged at him. By now everybody saw the commotion including Ranger who quickly ran over and snatched the guy up by his neck. Security officials started to swarm me and shout different questions. My head started to spin and everything went black.
I woke up feeling cold and scared. Quickly I scanned the room for Ranger , silently reprimanding myself for doing so I didn't need his help. He was out side my room's window talking to a doctor. When he glanced in the room and realized I was awake he abruptly ended his conversation and entered my room.
"What were you thinking?"
"Somebody explicitly threatens my life and you want to know what I'm thinking?" He didn't respond.
"I will tell you what I was thinking. That I want to find my family. I want to know what's going on, that nobody will tell me. But most of all I want to go back to Cali and pretend this didn't happen."
I climbed out of the bed and started to pull my clothes on.
"Where are you going? He asked.
"Back to the house to figure this out."
I walked out of the room, down the long cold hallway to the elevators. Pressing the button the door opened almost instantaneously. As I turn around and hit the door close button I see Ranger heading towards me as the reflection staring back at me is mine.
