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I needed to ask a lot of questions and formulate a plan, but my mind went blank as I staggered out to the car. Timmy climbed in, and my driver pulled out immediately, making sure that I would be at the closing in the Financial District of San Francisco on time. Up to the last moment, we had to try to keep Li Na in the dark about what had happened.
But I couldn’t think about Li Na now. I could only think of Hannah.
Desperate to see her, I pulled out my phone, FaceTiming Gabe—I needed to see my sister with my own eyes.
“Hey,” Gabe answered, his tone clearly pleading for forgiveness.
“Let me talk to her.”
He twisted the phone around so I could see Hannah, but she was turned away from me—all I could see was her hair, which was dirty and matted almost beyond recognition. “Is she okay?”
“I can hear you, you know.” Hannah’s voice came out weak and gravelly. “And I’m fine.”
She turned her head toward me and grabbed the phone. I saw bruises on her face and neck, a thin film of dirt covering her skin. In perpetual great shape, she now looked frail, as if she’d lost about fifteen pounds since I’d last seen her.
She raised an eyebrow. “You look like shit, though.”
I burst into tears. “Oh my God. Oh my God…I’m so glad you’re back…”
“Stop crying, you’ll smear your mascara.” Hannah smiled at me weakly. “I’ll see you at the house?”
“Yes,” I said immediately. I had no plans to tell Hannah what I was about to do. “Get some rest. I’ll see you soon.” I hung up before I lied to her more, and before Gabe could try to talk to me—I was not speaking to him. I did, however, plan to scream at him—in private, as soon as I made sure both he and my sister were okay.
I knew I was about to face Li Na, but I couldn’t seem to focus. All the way to San Francisco, I prayed Hannah would make it safely to the house.
If that happened, I could face anything.
Chapter 23
Gabe
After Lauren hung up, I called Dr. Fisher. She promised to meet us at the house. Then I motioned to Brian, the driver, who’d become one of my favorite members of the team over the past few weeks. “We need to get going. Ash said it had to be fast.”
My gaze flicked to the seat next to me, where Hannah leaned back against the leather interior, looking frail and exhausted. I didn’t want to mention that Li Na might be coming after us with guns, fighting to get her prize back.
Brian nodded. “Ash briefed me. I have three vehicles backing us up—we’re ready for anything.” He put the big SUV into Reverse, backing out slowly.
“Good.” I turned to Hannah and hugged her gently but enthusiastically. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
“How’s Wes?” she croaked.
I handed her some bottled water. “He’s better,” I lied. Brian’s eyes met mine in the rearview mirror, and I shook my head. “We’ll catch you up on everything just as soon as we get back.”
“Gabe, wait—what’s in San Francisco? I heard your brother say something about joining Lauren there. What’s she doing?”
“Just going to a meeting.” I kept my tone noncommittal.
“I know she wouldn’t leave me with you and your SWAT team—after you literally just rescued me—to go to some random meeting.” Hannah turned in her seat and grimaced as if in pain. “It’s Li Na, isn’t it?”
I nodded.
“Is Lauren actually selling that bitch our company? I’ll—”
“Hannah. One thing at a time. Let’s get you home, cleaned up, and checked out. Then you can kick some more ass.”
“Fine,” she said, but it didn’t sound as though she meant it.
Brian pulled out of the Oakland neighborhood flanked by three other cars. I kept watch as we drove slowly out of the condominium complex, waiting to see if Li Na had more men nearby, at the ready.
