Page 66 of Hidden Heir

“Ant had boxes of shit that I couldn’t fit in my apartment so I stashed them at work. In the greenhouse.”

The same realization flickers in Leon’s eyes. “Your flower shop that they burned down.”

“Exactly. They burned up their own product. It’s the only explanation. That’s why Ant couldn’t go and collect the drugs. My store was gone therefore the drugs were gone.”

Without those drugs, our only lifeline turns to ash.

29

LEON

It worked.

I can’t believe it worked.

The next time Paul came to see us, I told him I knew where the drugs were, and I would take him to them if he kept us together for the journey. Paul didn’t believe me initially, and even Brooke was confused since I didn’t dare share my plan just in case someone was listening. Brooke’s confusion ended up helping my case when I lied, explaining that I had found the drugs not long after Brooke turned up at my home, and moved them until I needed them.

I think he ended up buying it out of desperation. He certainly didn’t look as in control as he had the day he was breaking my bones.

He threw us some clothes, ordered us to get dressed, then hauled the two of us into a jeep after forcing a bottle of water down each of our throats.

Brooke huddles against me, her eyelids drooping as the vehicle rocks back and forth speeding toward the address I gave Paul. He warned me that the second he saw something he didn’tlike, he would kill us both, but I assured him the place would be empty.

I’m praying I’m right.

The next time the jeep turns, I let the momentum slide me closer to Brooke. The guards ignore us and I tilt my head down, whispering softly into her ear.

“When I tell you to, you run, okay?”

“What?” she whispers back, her words nearly lost under the rumble of the engine.

“You need to run and not look back, okay? Just trust me. I’m so sorry for everything but I need you to trust me now. When I tell you to, you need to run as far as you can and as fast as you can.”

Brooke nods, clamming up when one of the guards turns to look at the two of us, a scowl on his face. I stare at him, studying his appearance before closing my eyes.

How did it come to this?

Why didn’t my father find us? I know he’s been tearing the city apart looking for me, how has Paul kept us hidden so well? Unless he’s also hiding himself. His response when I mentioned the Murphys was enough to tell me that he’s not on as good of terms with them as he’d like me to believe. If I weren’t so fucked up, maybe I’d understand why, but right now I can’t connect the dots.

This is my last chance. I want to save Brooke and return her to her daughter,ourdaughter. It’s the last good deed I can do that will possibly make up for all the bad shit. Nausea pulls through my gut like rope and I struggle to keep the water down. Swallowing constantly serves as a distraction until the jeep lurches to a stop. Hands grab at my arms. My injuries scream loudly as broken bones grind together and I’m forced to put weight on my broken ankle.

I very nearly pass out so I bite into my tongue, forcing myself to focus.

“Is this the right place?” Paul stands next to me as the wind drifts around us, carrying smells of the city that barely breach the constant copper stink that’s clouded my lungs. “You hid the drugs here?”

“Yes.” I nod, gazing up at the dry cleaners I’ve brought them to. It’s a small business under my control. Once Paul revealed he’d been keeping us underneath a construction site in the middle of the city, I figured this was the closest location. “They’re inside.”

I attempt to step forward but he stops me with one hand, clicking his tongue at his guards. Three of them break away and head inside. “Like I said, I don’t want any surprises,” Paul says.

I glance at Brooke. She’s struggling to stay upright but her eyes are more alert than before. In the light of the outside world, I get a better look at her. Her skin is pale, her bruises dark and ugly. It breaks my heart as I take in each wound I couldn’t save her from. Her eyes meet mine, the corners of her lips twitching briefly. Before I can return the smile, Paul grabs me by the elbow and drags me inside as his men file out to report that the place is empty.

“Alright, where the fuck are they?” Paul demands, shoving me inside. I stumble and catch the end of the counter with a grunt, wincing as pain lances up my forearm.

“Need the laptop,” I say, indicating to one sitting near the register.

“For what?” Paul asks, unholstering his gun.

“Do you think I’m going to blow you up or something?” I snort. “I need to unlock a safe and it has to be done through the laptop. Or do you want to try?” I glare at him and a beat of uncertainty flashes in his eyes. He uses the gun to point at the laptop.

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