36 Blacktop Obsession
"Shay, you good?" Hector asked early the next morning.
"Yeah, just tired of having to run and worry about what's gonna go down next. Tired of having to dodge everyone. Carter, the feds, telling her the truth." Shayde sighed, putting her head in her hands. Hector rubbed her back.
"I know. I don't know how you do it to be honest." Hector said, looking at Kaidyn still asleep, still handcuffed to the bed. She had fought most of the night and had a restless sleep.
"I don't have a choice." Shayde sighed.
"We all have choices, Shay." Hector said, looking her in the eyes. He pulled her into a hug. "It's gonna get better. Hang in there." He promised.
"Yeah, it will." She agreed, not letting her sadness get her down for long. "You got those semi's lined up for when we are out of here?" She asked,
"Yeah, I am working on the second one." he said,
"Yeah, I can't ride in the same one as her." Shayde agreed, knowing it was best to be in two separate vehicles to travel in case they had any trouble. They were both quiet for a while, watching the sun come up until Kaidyn started moving.
"I want out of these cuffs." Kaidyn moaned, trying to get up. This had been ongoing all night.
"Soon, okay?" Hector promised, texting on his phone.
"Where's Shay? What time is it?" Kaidyn asked, trying to yank the cuffs off.
"Stop girl. You've already rubbed those wrists raw and it'll hurt worse if you keep at it." Hector put his hand on her arm to make her stop. "Come on, relax for me, okay?" He asked, moving the bed to a sitting up position for her.
"Shay, I am ready to leave California." Kaidyn sighed, accepting defeat with her hands.
"Good, once we are out of here Hector and I have a plan to get us out of here. It's gonna be a long drive though. You gonna be able to get through it?" She asked, not sure if Kaidyn was going to be able to tolerate the 38 hour drive in a separate vehicle. "I promise if you do this things will get a whole lot better once we get to where we are going." She nodded, ready for a break.
"What if they come back, though?" Kaidyn asked, hating to go back to the state where everything caused her life to become chaos.
"They won't." Hector and Shayde both assured her at the same time, not even reveling in the fact they said the same thing at the same time.
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"Here's your papers. She's free and clear." Bilkins walked up to Brian, who was pacing up and down the hospital floor hallway. "For good." He promised. "She almost did all her time so we took care of the rest." He nodded.
"Thanks Man, I owe you one." Brian looked relieved to see him. "You sure she's clear? They can't touch her anymore?" he asked, looking over the papers.
"I'm sure." He nodded. "Not sure why customs would be chasing her. I couldn't get much info, they have those girl's files pretty locked down even for the FBI to access." he said,
"Something's not right, that's for sure." Brian agreed, wondering why even someone like Bilkins couldn't get into their file. "Thanks again, man. I owe you." He nodded.
"Keep your nose clean, Kid." he nodded. "You know where to find me if you need me." Bilkins waved as he headed towards the exit.
"You want to tell me the real reason you are hell bent on torturing that kid in there?" Brian asked, walking up to Monica as she came off the elevator.
"Mind your business, O'Connor. I already tried to explain it to you." She said, taking a sip of cappuccino.
"Those girls are my business." Brian said, running a hand through his hair. "You're messing with an innocent kid, Fuentes. That kid has done nothing to you." Brian pointed to the room.
"Not your business" Monica shook her head, reminding him.
"You're customs, why are you even here?" Brian asked, staring her down.
"Classified info." Monica shrugged with a smile.
"Bullshit. Why are you targeting a kid? Leave her the hell alone, she's been through enough already." Brian said, throwing his hands up in exasperation.
"You shoulda stayed on the right side of the law and did the right thing and maybe you'd understand, Brian" She said, knowing she was starting to push his buttons.
"Carter did his time. Do you think once a criminal is always a criminal? Is that how it is with all you cops?" He asked, disgusted.
"Because Carter is still a big threat and we will get him, no matter who we gotta go through. Things aren't always as they seem, Brian." She rolled her eyes.
"Just stay the hell away from them. You don't have any business messing with those girls in there." He said, shoving the papers in her face. "Now, she's free, go take those cuffs off and get the hell outta here." He said, staring her down in anger.
"Not you again." Shayde jumped up protectively when Monica walked in.
"Relax. I am removing the cuffs." she rolled her eyes, annoyed.
"OWW." Kaidyn growled when Monica grabbed her wrist.
"You are lucky. Just tell Cart…" She started, Shayde walking by her and 'accidentally' bumped her.
"Damn my shoelaces." Shayde said, making Hector laugh. She bent down to tie her shoe and looked at Monica. "You should be very careful who your messing with because I might just let someone know where you are at." Shayde hissed. "The chasers can become the chased very easily." She warned icily.
"Hey Kaidyn, I brought some visitors who have been waiting to see you all night." Brian walked in, Roman and Tej behind him. This made Kaidyn smile. This helped break up the tension and distracted Kaidyn.
"Whats up girl?" Roman asked, watching Kaidyn rub her wrists.
"Rome! Tej! I am so glad to see you guys!" She said, leaning up to give Roman a hug. Roman pulled a stuffed cat from behind his back.
"I brought you a lil something. " Roman grinned, handing it to her.
"It looks like Sprinkles! I love it so much! Thank you!" Kiadyn gave him a delightful squeal.
"Yup, see Tej, I told you it looked like him." Roman nodded, making Tej roll his eyes. Tej had never said it didn't but Roman wasn't missing any chance for bonus points. Tej had been the one to find it in the first place and made the suggestion but he decided to let Roman have his moment.
"That's low, even for you, Roman. Aright. I see how it is." He nodded, shaking his head.
"I'll be right back." Shayde promised, walking out behind Monica. She kicked the back of Monica's heel, making her stumble.
"Brian, lets go stop this." Hector said, nudging Brian.
"Yup, this won't be good." he nodded, following them out to the hall.
"What is your deal?" Monica asked, stopping and turning to face Shayde.
"Oh, Don't play innocent with me. You think I won't come after you because we are in a hospital or because you are a custom's agent? Either way, you better think again." Shayde spat, stepping up to stare Monica down.
"You big enough to go and spend time away from your…" She started to say.
"Say it if you want to die today." Shayde warned, shrugging off Hector's hand on her shoulder to hold her back.
"I'll say what I want, thank you very much." Monica gave a very sarcastic smile, hoping it would get under Shayde's skin. "Am I about to hit a nerve? What do you think these guys would think, Shayde?" She asked, putting a wisp of her hair behind her ear.
"Shay, you are bigger than her. Let this go. She's baiting you." Brian said, stepping in between them.
"Let her fight her own battles, Brian." Monica quipped.
"Oh, I am gonna fight something alright." Shayde said, lunging for her, making Monica take a big step back.
"I'd get outta here because we can't hold her long." Hector said, now fully grasping Shayde, who was struggling to get to her. He was barely able to hold her back.
"Let me go. It's worth the jail time. " Shayde growled, trying to get free of Hector and Brian.
"Come on, Shay. It's not worth letting her win." Hector said, shaking his head. Monica walked off but not before turning around to give a smile and a slight wave.
"That's it." Shadye took off towards her, Dominic stepping in front of her.
"Not worth it, Shay. Gotta keep a cool head and stay calm." He shook his head, stopping her and not letting her get past him. "Keep your promise and stay in control for that family of yours." He whispered to her. "You, get outta here. Now." He ordered, pointing at Monica with the hand that wasn't holding her in his grasp. He saw Shayde relax and let her go.
"Shoot ya later, Shayde." Monica turned and waved, making Shayde take off for her.
"You promised. Come on, let it go." Hector grabbed her, pulling her back. "You can't go to prison and leave Kaidyn alone. You don't break promises." He pulled her into a hug, fighting to hold her back with all his weight. "Dom! Help!" Hector yelled, as Shayde started to break free.
"No, she don't get to say shoot you later, Hector! Let me fucking go. Today's her day." Shayde growled, fighting Hector, Dominic and Brian, almost breaking free.
"Get the fuck on that elevator or she's gonna kill you." Dominic warned, watching Monica stall at the elevator as they all three struggled to keep her held back.
"Shit, Shayde, put it up!" Hector said, seeing her grab a pistol from her shoulder. He grabbed it, and to his relief Monica disappeared in the elevator.
"You all just helped her escape. After what she did to Kaidyn, I hope you are all happy." Shayde spat hatefully, tears of anger in her eyes, she was breathing a little harder than normal while all three guys were out of breath. She walked back in Kaidyn's room, acting like nothing had happened.
"That was a damn close call." Dominic said, looking at Hector, breathing hard.
"Yeah, you're telling me." Hector agreed, bending over to catch his breath.
"She's strong as hell. That was all three of us, Bro." Brian said, amazed at her strength.
"She's very motivated when it comes to someone hurting Kaidyn." Dominic nodded, still breathing hard.