With Love

Chapter Thirty-Four

I think I can confidently say that this book is over halfway...if you know me from my other work then you know I never have a set number of chapters planned, they just ✨happen✨

Enjoy.

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My eyes immediately darted around the street, searching for any indication that a SWAT team would rush out from the dark alleys if I moved another inch.

Agent Tessa Hayes waved a hand, crossing her arms over her chest. "Relax, I've come alone."

I tilted my head. "That's not wise," I pointed out, remaining under the awning of the small entrance. "Can I help you?"

Her lips twitched into a smirk. "I was just wondering what an heiress would be doing in a place like..." her gaze swept over the apartment building, "this."

I shrugged calmly, letting the warm air of summer brush over me. "Visiting a friend, I don't judge people by their backgrounds," I stated with an eye roll. My gaze remained on her, not willing to risk a glance over my shoulder to see if the receptionist had noticed a fucking FBI agent standing on the curb right outside the biggest underground criminal hospital in the country.

Agent Hayes laughed loudly, placing a hand over her heart covered by her leather jacket. Her hair was shorter than when I last saw her. The strands swayed in the breeze, sitting above her shoulders. Half of it sat in a bun on top of her head. "Is that your friend's blood all over your face?" She asked innocently. "Cut the bullshit, Love."

I squinted at her, a sudden thought crossing my mind. "How did you find me?" I asked slowly, dropping my hands to sides, loosening my limbs in case I needed to run.

She reached into her back pocket and held up a shiny item. Elijah's phone. I ran my tongue along my teeth. Agent Hayes gave me a smug smile. "Surprise."

My feet moved backward on their own accord, a slow pulse of terror running through me. I needed to get them out. I had to tell Finn, maybe he could get his mother far away and Jasper will take care of—

"Who's after you, Anastasia?" She asked suddenly, forcing my thoughts to freeze. I blinked once. "No one in this city would touch a hair on you or your family's heads, and yet your brother's blood is all over a crime scene and you're hiding out at this random apartment building covered in blood." She placed one booted foot on the sidewalk and stepped closer. "I'll ask again, who is after you? I can help you, protect your family," she promised, both hands resting at her sides, showing that she had nothing in them, that she meant no harm to me.

My throat closed up when I tried to swallow. "You can't protect us," I whispered harshly, glaring at her.

She watched my outburst carefully, knowing that in the time she's been around me, I've always kept a cool composure. "I can help you and your siblings."

"Nothing comes from you people without a price," I spat, crossing my arms over my chest.

Agent Hayes slipped my brother's phone in the back pocket of her black skinny jeans. "You're right, but that only means you need to decide whether or not it's worth the risk of your family's safety." She took a step back and opened the car door to her SUV. "I have no intention of having you or your siblings punished for the things your father has forced you to do or become, that's on him, it's not your fault you were beaten into submission."

My lips trembled and I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from crying in frustration. I sniffed.

"Is your brother going to be okay?" She asked softly, gesturing to the blood still on my face.