Page 220 of Billion-Dollar Attitudes

I nodded, tears cascading down my cheeks. "Yeah, we're okay. He didn't touch her. But Mitch, what are we going to do?"

Before Mitch could formulate a response, the sirens crescendoed, and police cars accompanied by a sleek, unmarked black SUV screeched to a halt nearby. A cadre of officers and two suit-clad men emerged, striding purposefully toward us. The suited men closed the distance, flashing their badges as they introduced themselves as FBI agents.

"Mr. and Mrs. Detwiler, I'm Agent Johnson, and this is Agent Thompson," the taller agent gestured to his partner. "We've been assigned to your case after receiving the call from the local police and Agent Downing out of the Denver Field Office."

"We have to talk," Agent Thompson said, his voice laced with gravity. "Your family could be in immediate peril. We think relocating you to a secure location, for now, is the best course of action until we catch the person behind this."

I shared an uneasy and bewildered look with Mitch before directing my gaze back at the agents. "A secure location?" I inquired, my voice barely audible.

"Let's clear something up first. I'm Mitch Detwiler. This is Amy Russo, my other half and the caretaker for my daughter, Ava."

Agent Thompson nodded in understanding, "Ah, got it. So, the Denver report makes sense now. You, ma'am, were the victim of a kidnapping in Vail?"

"Yes, that's correct," I stammered, feeling shaky.

"I agree that Amy and Ava should go to the secure location, but I can't accompany them. My current work project is critical, and it could be connected to this larger scheme," Mitch chimed in.

"So, what exactly is a secure location, and how long do we need to stay there?"

Agent Johnson offered me a compassionate glance. "We can't be certain. It might be a few days or more, depending on how fast we neutralize the threat. But you have to come with us immediately!"

Mitch enveloped me in his arms, drawing Ava and me nearer. "Amy, you need to go. I'll do everything within my power to protect our family," he declared, his voice resolute.

His eyes bore into mine, and my heart plummeted as the gravity of our predicament settled in. I struggled to speak, my throat tight. "Alright," I whispered, trembling as I clutched Ava close.

The agents ushered us to the sleek black SUV, helping us into the backseat. Ava began to sob, clinging to me for dear life, her tiny hands grasping at my shirt. Her frantic heartbeat resonated against me. I tried to soothe her, caressing her head and murmuring comforting words.

The SUV roared to life, and I stared out the window at Mitch, who stood on the sidewalk, a blend of fear and powerlessness on his face. My heart ached, feeling as if I'd left a piece of myself behind. Tears pooled in my eyes, and I lifted a trembling hand to wave goodbye, watching him recede into the distance.

I turned to Ava, now nestled in the car seat the agents had provided and held her hand. The tears I'd been trying to suppress finally broke free, coursing down my cheeks as I longed for the familiarity of my daily life.

My mind swirled with questions and dread, attempting to grasp the situation. Who was after us? Why target Rosedale Tech? What if we never saw Mitch again? Overwhelmed with uncertainty and terror, the sedan sped toward our mysterious destination.

"The baby needs changing!" I declared, leaning forward in my seat. "And shouldn't we stop for supplies?"

Agent Johnson's kind eyes met mine. "We have a small bag of baby supplies right here," he said, handing me a plastic bag that clearly came from a convenience store. He continued, "Our fellow agents are handling everything else you'll need at the secure location. Our top priority is ensuring your quick and safe arrival!"

Chapter Fourteen

Amy

"What's our destination?" I inquired, my voice quivering slightly as I glanced at darling Ava, snugly secured in her car seat. The FBI agents had whisked us away without warning from the charming oceanfront avenue in San Diego, leaving Mitch nowhere in sight and my heart burdened with anxiety.

Catching my eye in the rearview mirror, Agent Thompson responded, "We're escorting you to a safe house in Pine Valley. It's in your best interest that you, Mitch, and the little one stay out of the limelight for a bit." He continued to concentrate on the road ahead. "The safe house is tucked away in a serene mountain village, a couple of hours northeast of San Diego. It's a tranquil and unobtrusive spot that'll provide some respite from the mounting tension you've been enduring."

Agent Johnson swiveled toward me, offering reassurance. "Rest assured, we'll do everything within our power to shield you and Ava," he affirmed. "And we're collaborating with Mitch. He's in capable hands."

I attempted to take comfort in his words, but my hold on the door handle only grew more rigid, my knuckles paling. I tried to console Ava as she wriggled, eager to escape the confines of her carrier, even as my own apprehensions loomed over me. "Everything's alright, sweetheart," I murmured, my voice wavering, unsure if I was trying to reassure Ava or myself. "We'll be just fine."

At last, Ava dozed off as the sedan cruised along the freeway, leaving the comforting familiarity of San Diego in its wake. The urban scenery gradually transitioned into undulating hills, the rising sun casting its warm glow upon the landscape.

We veered onto a twisting, gravelly path that delved deep into the forest. The thick underbrush and towering trees seemed to envelop us, further severing our connection to the world beyond. Soon, we reached a secluded cabin, where a female FBI agent stood waiting.

"Ms. Russo?" she queried, glancing down at her clipboard.

I nodded, cradling Ava as I exited the car. "That's me. Were you waiting for someone else?"

A hint of a smirk played at the corners of Agent Ramirez's lips, her gaze unimpressed as she introduced herself and motioned for us to follow her into the cabin. Crossing the threshold, an icy shiver raced down my spine, as though I'd left something vital behind. Panic surged through me when it dawned on me that I'd lost my connection to the outside world. Anxiety prickled my skin as my thoughts spiraled out of control, the burden of Ava's needs and our financial future bearing down on me like a crushing weight.

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