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Cale rambles off a list of items to pack while leaving the room when Ryan turns to me with a harsh gaze, "If you don't want Cale to see something he shouldn't, you should go along with what I am doing right now."
I can't believe it, "You. You're blackmailing me using my own child."
Ryan steps closer, his gaze sharper, "I should blackmail you using your child for your safety than the people who followed you with unknown and most possibly harmful intentions."
He angrily marches off, leaving me sitting on my bed in contemplation, brows furrowed. Even though Ryan's words and actions seem unreasonable and somewhat crazy, I feel that my son's safety matters more.
Even so, I don't want to give the bastard the satisfaction of my giving up to him, so I stand up and call the only person I know who can take down her brother a notch.
"Gwen. Your brother's gone crazy..."
Having locked the house and the garage, I hold my son's hand as we follow Ryan to his car. Carrying our bags to the car's trunk, he throws in our luggage, dishing out orders.
"Sit in the front, Hart. And sit Cale in the back."
Not in the mood to talk, I ensure Cale's seatbelt is tightened around him – not too tight to suffocate him and not too loose either – while Cale rambles off about 200 words a minute about the same damn pool at Ryan's place.
I nod, smiling at my son to keep his spirits up. No part of our current situation is his fault. I would have left him with my parents if they had still been alive, but Cale and I have only had each other in this world. And I can't do anything for him except for getting him involved in my issues.
I look him over one last time and finally close his door. I want to stay out here and breathe in the fresh air. I can feel the tears coming when I think of Ryan watching me.
I don't want to show him this side of me again just so he can use it to his advantage, the jerk. So, ignoring him, I sit my butt in the passenger seat, slamming the car door close in retaliation against Ryan.
Feeling the car dip as Ryan sits in the driver's seat, I ignore him, conscientiously facing the window.
The bastard sits watching me for a while, and I want to shout at him to start the car when he suddenly leans towards me, making me jump back.
I almost push him back in reflex when I hear a click, and Ryan leans back in his seat, putting on his seatbelt as he has just done for me.
For a second, I feel guilty. Ryan doesn't have to do this, yet here he is. I don't know what he and Gwen have discussed, but he will protect Cale and myself. I should be grateful to him, but I can't help acting out in front of him. It feels like I no longer have the control I once had over my life. And I am taking that out on him unconsciously.
Even though I have handled certain challenging situations, they were nothing like this. I never thought I could ever offend Someone like this. I can manage well with basic self-defense if it is an on-the-spot action by an angry audience in front of others. But whoever the culprit is, sending these anonymous letters is very clever. They may have all the information they need on me, including that they could be part of Chicago's most significant political mafia.
Thinking about what has happened throughout the day, my body suddenly feels lethargic. I can't help turning to the window because my eyes burn with tears. I don't want Ryan or Cale to see.
My head throbs as I resist crying out loud when I feel a larger hand cover mine and squeeze it in comfort.
Honestly, he is such an asshole and a gentleman all at the same time. This bastard. I hate him!
I don't recall when I passed out, but I found a black jacket covering me when I woke up. It smells so good I sniff it. Turning, I find Cale asleep, and we are still on the road.
"Where are we?" My voice is hoarse from sleep, and I want water to drink when Ryan answers, looking intently at the road ahead, "We are about to get there."
I slowly wake up to reality and realize we are driving through a forest. Does this place even exist in Chicago?
I'm beginning to consider that Ryan is going to bring us up a mountain and murder us anytime when I can see it. It is a huge mansion. A mansion with gates, a long driveway, and a majestic fountain before the estate. It is magnificent. I knew the Hales were rich, but I didn't think they were crazy rich.
I stare dumbfounded when suddenly Ryan clucks his tongue, "Hart, you called my sister?"
Shocked, I turn to the man glaring at the road, "How did you know?"
Ryan's jaw clenches as he bobs his head towards the mansion. I follow his gaze and find Gwen standing there, her arms crossed, leaning against her car. Her gaze is deadly as she looks at Ryan's car.
Turning off the engine, Ryan gets out of the car to meet his sister when Gwen sucker punches him, shocking me.
Glancing at the still-sleeping Cale one last time, I get out of the car and stop Gwen from thrashing her brother again, "Stop this, Gwen. What are you doing? Stop!"
Pushing Gwen off her brother, I kneel down to look at Ryan. His cheek was starting to bruise, "Damn, Gwen. I don't want you to hit your own brother."
