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Olivia walked into the small dilapidated house off a dank alleyway and looked behind her, making sure her bodyguard Erick and their driver were still behind her. Hauling her tote higher on her arm, she resisted the urge to press her nail deep into the spot where she used to be injured. She took a deep breath, keeping her expression somber, yet open. She winced as a worn out looking middle-aged woman opened the door cautiously.
"Who are you?" The lady asked in Cantonese. Olivia tilted her head as Erick translated for her.
"My name is Olivia, and I got a tip that your little girl was about to be sold on the black market. We would like to purchase her at a premium price and take her to a reputable organization to be put up for adoption." Olivia waited as Erick translated for her, and she saw the woman's eyes widen before nodding hard at the two of them, opening the door and gesturing them in.
Twenty minutes later, Olivia walked out of the house with a basket. She put it into the trunk and climbed into the unmarked vehicle and she waited until they were on the main road before opening the middle seat and reaching into the trunk, pulling the basket through and opening the top.
She stroked the baby's black hair tenderly, feeling a tug in her heart. Missing Allison.
'Don't worry, precious, we're going to make sure you go to a beautiful home where you can have your own fairytale."
Olivia pulled the sleeping baby out of the basket and cradled her tightly to her chest, giving her love and letting her feel her heartbeat for comfort. Though at this point, she was unsure if her heart was even working properly. Its glow was gone; extinguished, overshadowed by pain and hurt.
Somehow, she was able to finish the drive without crying, having depleted her tears earlier in the day.
Chapter twelve
Coming To Collect
Present Time, 13 weeks after leaving Colin
“Howards. She made contact. It’s just an envelope with no return address, filled with money. Fifty thousand dollars,” Colin said shortly into the phone to his private investigator. Standing up from his office chair in his study, he felt his chest tighten with a burning pain spreading uncomfortably throughout his body. She was alive. Colin closed his eyes and let himself feel relief.
“Currency?” Howards asked, his tone just as clipped.
“American. What can we do?” Colin gritted, placing a hand on the back of his neck, squeezing hard.
“We might be able to run the serial numbers on the cash to see what country the money was last run through. Send me pictures of some of the bills real quick. Let me call my government connect and I will be in touch when I hear something.”
“Howards, make it quick please,” Colin stated before hanging up. He hurriedly did as Howards asked, then immediately dialed another number.
“Hello?’ Jonathan’s deep voice sounded relieved as he answered.
“Jonathan, it’s Colin-” he started, immediately being interrupted.
“No shit motherfucker. I certainly didn't think you were Donald Duck! Any update?” Jonathan asked quickly, dismissing any niceties.
Colin had been on a rampage for three weeks straight and Jonathan thought he might have to fight the man himself.
“Yes, I’m on my way. I’m waiting to hear back from my PI. I’m putting the plane on standby; will you be able to fly out with me?” he said, seeing a text from his PI come in. He read it as Jonathan replied, seeing that Howard’s government connection was currently running pictures of the bills as they spoke.
“Of course. Where to?” His best friend replied.
“We’re still trying to figure that out. I’m on my way to your house.” Colin ended the call and grabbed the envelope, stashing everything back in before taking off toward his garage. For the first time, he felt a little life enter him along with bone searing relief.
You’re alive, and I’m coming to collect you, baby. Best believe.
***
Colin walked into Jonathan and Vanessa’s new home fifteen minutes later, rounding the foyer, seeing Vanessa walking straight to him. The tall, curvy redhead threw herself into his arms, crying.
“Oh my God, Colin!” She sobbed, her tears wetting his jacket. Her fingers clutched at him desperately and he hugged her back as hard as he dared without squishing her swollen stomach, mindful of the baby she was carrying.
“I know,” Colin said hoarsely. “I need Jonathan. Where is he?” He pulled away from Vanessa gently, turning towards his study.
“He’s upstairs, putting Ally to bed.” She sniffed, wiping her eyes and glancing at the staircase.
Colin took the stairs two at a time, banking a left and heading towards Allison’s room, knowing exactly where it is. He paused, hearing Jonathan’s deep voice filter through the crack of the door. He knew Jonathan was in there, reading her a bedtime story. His phone beeped just as he was getting ready to walk into the room and he paused, pulling his phone out.
