Page 41 of Justus
There’snot much I can do but hand over the green bank bag and watch him count thebills. My heart thumps against my ribs. The feds marked the money and theyassured me no one would be able to tell, but it isn’t their asses on the line.
“It’sall there,” I tell him.
Lookingup, he grins at me. “So it seems.” He takes out his phone and makes a call,giving an order to the person on the other end. “Bring her up.”
Itake a seat on the edge of the bed, trying to look at ease while we wait. “Shehas all the necessary ID, passports, et cetera, if you plan to take her out ofthe country.”
“Ihave no immediate plans, but that’ll make things easier in the future.”
Thedoor beeps as the lock disengages and a man I recognize as the driver fromyesterday pulls her inside. My stomach knots and I fight not to show anyemotion. If they figure out I know her, it’s all over. I can only hope she realizesthat too.
Hereyes widen at the sight of me, and Bishop barks, “Eyes on the floor!” Turningto me, he shrugs with a wicked grin. “Sorry, she’s better trained than that.”
“Ican handle her,” I reply, my voice strained. Stalking over to her, I grab herchin and pull her head up until we’re eye to eye. “I’m not going to have anyproblems out of you, am I?” I demand, my voice gruff.
“Nosir,” she whispers, her hands twisting together in front of her.
“Wewill discuss the rules when I get you home. Is that all she has?” I ask Bishop,gesturing to the small suitcase in her hand. It doesn’t matter, I’m justplaying a role.
“Allshe’s allowed to take, yes.”
“Arewe done here?”
“Yes,just remember what I told you. We never met.”
Nodding,I reach to shake the assholes hand, swallowing the need to smash my fist intohis face. “Nice doing business with you.”
“Comewith me. Don’t look at or talk to anyone, understand?” I order, grabbingHannah’s arm.
“Yes,sir.”
Relieffloods through me when we make it out of the room, down the hall and into theelevator. “Justus,” she whispers, her voice filled with sorrow.
“It’sokay, Han. Just stay right with me, no matter what.”
Everysecond I’m waiting for them to figure out I’m a fraud. Now that the moment hascome, this is just too easy. My little sister is holding my hand. She’s here.Exhausted, skinny, and moving like a zombie, but here. That’s all that matters.
Sheslips into the passenger seat of my car and I waste no time getting us the hellaway from there. Grabbing my phone, I call the Agent Michaels. “We’re clear.I’ve got her.”
“Myguys are inside now. Bishop is dead and two others are in custody. The raids onthe houses are in progress.”
Damn,we must’ve gotten clear just in time. “Let me know what happens.”
“We’llneed to speak with her.”
“Nottoday. I’m taking her home.” I disconnect the call before he can argue with me.
Hannahstares at me like I may not be real. “Justus, I don’t understand. What’shappening? How did you find me?”
It’sthen I notice her glazed eyes. She’s stoned off her ass. Her little hand issoft in mine. “Don’t worry, Han. Everything is going to be okay. I’m going totake care of you. You’ll never go back to that…life again.”
Appearingdisinterested, she shrugs and turns to stare out her window. “Bishop will findme. No one escapes.”
Ipull into my driveway and shut off the engine. “Han, look at me. Bishop isdead. The FBI helped me set all this up. They’re raiding the houses the womenare kept in. It’s over.”
Ittakes a few seconds for the information to sink in. Her body begins to trembleand the most heartrending cry fills the car. Sobs rack her body, and I pull herinto my lap, murmuring in her ear. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry it took me solong to find you, Han. I swear I never stopped looking.”
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