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The hot shower helped her relax enough that she might have a chance at some sleep. After donning her skimpy pajamas, she looked at the waiting bed, tempted to collapse onto the sheets to get some sleep. Unfortunately, she had learned from experience, she wouldn't sleep well alone.
After double-checking that all the doors and windows were locked, Hannah slipped on her robe and knocked softly on the wooden connector door to her next-door neighbor's matching duplex. She didn't wait for an answer, hoping she would be able to slip in without disturbing Rosa.
The room was dimly lit by a small table lamp near the threadbare couch. Hannah saw the sleeping figure curled up on one end of the sofa and her heart contracted with a fierce love that never ceased to amaze her.
"He didn't want to go down until you got home, but he finally ran out of steam about an hour ago." Rosa's heavy accent told Hannah she'd been sleeping.
"Sorry I woke you. I worked late tonight." Hannah glanced up to see Rosa navigating her wheelchair closer.
"Honey, you don't need to apologize to me. We're a team, remember?" The Hispanic woman grinned, exposing her crooked teeth in a genuine smile that kicked Hannah in the gut. Yep, just another reason why leaving town was going to be so hard.
"Yes, Mama Rosa. We're a team. I don't know what I'd do without you here taking care of Connor for me while I'm at work."
"Honey, you and Connor are like family to me now. I love you both. And I don't know what I'd do without you bringing me the food and supplies I need and can't leave to get myself."
Hannah pushed down the guilt she felt at even considering leaving Mama Rosa on her own when she loaded Connor up and moved them to a place where Jake Davenport wouldn't find them. They'd been on the run before, but they'd found a home here with Mia and Rosa. She had hoped this could be their forever home. What she would give to have a normal life, but that wasn't to be.
Hannah leaned down and scooped the three-year-old toddler into her arms. He was growing so fast. Moving to a new town and starting over was going to get harder and harder the older he got. It couldn't be helped.
"Thanks again, Mama Rosa. I'm going grocery shopping tomorrow, so if you have a list, give it to me in the morning. I'll drop Connor off at around nine?"
The least she could do was make sure Rosa was well-stocked in case she had to leave in a hurry.
"Sounds good, niña. Get some sleep. You look tired."
I am tired.
"I'll be fine," Hannah said.
"You say that every night."
Hannah didn't answer her friend and neighbor. There was no point. She walked quietly through to their small apartment, sinking into the welcoming bed. Connor snuggled closer, nestling under her chin while his little thumb found its way into his mouth. They'd been working to break his bad habit, but she just didn't have the heart to take it out of his mouth tonight. If she was going to pick up and drag him away from everything he had known in his young years, he was going to need all the comfort he could get. She ought to know.
Chapter Five
Markus
It was close to midnight by the time Markus Lambert exited the elevator, stepping into the dimly lit foyer of his best friend's loft. An eerie calm filled the space, putting him on edge. He'd tried to call Brianna's cell phone in the cab on the way from the airport, but the call went straight to voicemail. He told himself she'd probably forgotten to charge her phone, but the knowledge that Jake Davenport was gunning for the love of his life was never far from his thoughts.
He beelined it to the guest room they normally slept in when at the loft, hoping to discover a sleeping Brianna. Finding the room dark and empty, he dumped his overnight bag and briefcase before checking the master suite, hoping he'd find Brianna and Tiffany holed-up there. The empty bed he found instead ratcheted up his anxiety.
Where the hell are they? If they left the loft, they aren't going to sit down for a week when I get my paddle on them.
Walking faster, he rushed back out to the great room and past the dark kitchen, towards the other end of the loft. He went to the movie theater first, hoping to find the girls in the middle of a romantic comedy, but finding an empty room instead.
He was almost jogging by the time he turned towards the far end of the loft, trying to keep his fear in check. When the faint sounds of rock music made it to his ears, he let out a relieved sigh. They were in the gym.
Lukus's loft was mammoth, taking up the top two floors of the city-block building. Since the property wasn't in the greatest neighborhood, Lukus had gotten a good deal on the deserted building which now housed his two businesses, an entire floor of guest BDSM suites he rented out to Punishment Pit members, and his personal home.
Markus next passed through the large home gym, which sported free weights and a dozen workout machines. Not only did Lukus use the space to exercise, the entire staff of Titan Security was encouraged to work out regularly to stay in shape for their job. With the wall of windows facing the Chicago skyline, stocked beverage refrigerator, locker room and several big-screen TVs, the space rivaled the city's top-end gyms.
The music was getting louder. He could now make out the heavy beat of Metallica pounding from the sound system at the far end of the loft. The sight that met him as he cracked open the swinging doors to the two-story gym brought relief. He held back entering to enjoy the view for a few minutes.
A good-natured game of two-on-two basketball was underway. Markus grinned as he realized that, technically, it was a two-on-one game, considering the negligible help his lovely wife was providing her best friend. Brianna looked miserable as she watched Tiffany steal the basketball from her brother Aiden and break away towards the basket, making an easy layup. Rachel's cheer from the sideline drew Markus's attention, and he couldn't help but grin at the pregnant woman's risqué cheerleader outfit, complete with pom-poms and ponytails.
"I thought you'd have lost your touch by now, Tiff. You've been out of school for five years and you can still whip my ass on the court."
Markus wished Lukus had told him Aiden would be there. Having a Chicago police officer keeping tabs on the girls was a great idea.
