Page 133 of Magic or Madness

It’s the first time I’ve seen counterfeit money, and it’s astonishing how real it looks. I examine it side by side with a real bill, and it looks identical. I wouldn’t know it was fake unless I had a microscope to inspect the details that can’t be seen with the naked eye.

Soon enough, everything is packed, the guys are dressed in black with Kevlar vests, and the earpieces equipped.

Ozzy pulls his hair into a neat bun, and his face mask covers everything but those gorgeous, deep brown eyes.

“You get back here, to me, in one fucking piece. Do you understand me, Ozzy?” I say sternly as the tears start welling, and my voice breaks with each word.

He nods against me, his chin resting on top of my head. He kisses me hard, yet slowly, and I swallow the sadness, replacing it with hope.

He’ll be back.

They all will.

“I love you, Fallon. I’ll see you on the other side,” he whispers, pressing his lips to my forehead one last time.

I watch as they file out of the dealership, piling into the van, and Ozzy’s truck, and something twists inside of me as I see them off. This is fucking terrifying, but I’ll have them in my ear, and Lex gave me the rundown of his laptop. I’m ready for everything they’ll send, and I sit on the plushy office couch, giving me the best view of all our plans scattered on the wall.

Oliver and Lex sent Cami and Pepper shopping, keeping them away from here until everyone is home safe, and the job is complete.

I don't think I’ve ever been here alone, and the silence is a bit deafening, as strange as that sounds. The usually noisy dealership is dead silent, you could hear a pin drop from rooms away, and I can’t handle that much peace, not when the stakes are so high.

I play some loud music to fill the room with anything but the doubt running through my mind, waiting until the guys click onto our Bluetooth feed.

The warehouse is around thirty minutes away, and they plan to split up a few miles from the meet, with Journey and Lextaking back roads in to avoid being detected, so I know I won’t be hearing from them for a little bit.

I toss my hair in a lazy ponytail, brushing the stray hairs out of my face and attempting to focus on the task at hand. I’ve been playing it cool for the guys’ sake, but now that I’m alone, I realize that my nerves are shot.

While I’m typing, my hands are visibly shaking, my breaths are ragged, and I’m so distracted that I don’t see it coming until it’s too late.

Two men in dark jackets storm the room, ripping the laptop from my hands and snatching the earpiece out in one fell swoop. Their faces are completely covered, and I try to fight back, but the bigger one places a cloth over my nose and mouth, everything going foggy within seconds.

I feel my body being carried and I’m thrashing my arms, legs, whatever I can move, but I’m not strong enough.

I’m not safe.

Just before I pass out, I feel cold air nipping at my exposed skin, and I’m dropped onto something hard, my body bouncing against plastic. My hands are tied behind me, and when I try to open my eyes, my vision is plagued by darkness.

Whatever is happening to me isn’t good, and all I can focus on is Ozzy, praying that he saves me.

MyGreek Godto the rescue.

“Such a pretty littlelilac.” A voice groans in my ear right before the slam of the door shakes my body around like a rag doll.

A part of me recognizes the voice, but my descent into darkness takes over, and there’s nothing here.

No hope, no love, and most importantly,no escape.

OZZY

There isnothing harder than leaving Fallon behind to do a job, but I take comfort in knowing she’ll be here with us, at least in Bluetooth spirit.

We’re geared up, driving down the highway when we finally approach Journey and Lex’s exit. Oliver watches them take the off-ramp in the rearview until we lose sight, signaling that we’re alone.

The cash is in the middle seat, and we’re ready to make this handoff. Oliver’s my backup, and this move solidifies my choice to appoint him as my number two. It’s always been Oliver and I, the only one I truly trust, and there’s no greater feeling than running shit with him beside me.

“How long?” I ask, the time feeling like it’s moving at a snail's pace.

“Thirty minutes until the meet, ten minutes until we reach the warehouse,” Oliver says, giving directions and calming my nerves all at once.

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