The Best Purchase

22

7 months passed.

Miranda rolled and reached for her phone. She hoped she wasn't getting called in. This pregnancy made her exceptionally tired and her feet were swollen.

"Hello," she answered groggily.

"This is Agent Carter, I apologize for bothering you. Dr. Bailey but it's important."

"Okay,"

"Who is it, baby?" Ben asked sitting up and wiping his eyes.

"Agent Carter," she answered.

"We have some news regarding Santiago. Our team had him under surveillance and managed to locate the body in the woods, confirming your account."

Miranda's heart raced but was filled with a mixture of relief. She swallowed hard. "So, he's finally caught?"

"When we moved in to make the arrest, Santiago escaped. He managed to slip through our perimeter, and we've lost track of him."

Miranda's face paled, her mind reeling. "What? How could that even happen?"

"What? Sweetness put it on speaker," Ben said urgently.

Miranda did as told and continued listening to the man.

"Santiago is highly resourceful and cunning. We've mobilized all available resources to locate him, but we must prioritize your safety."

"Wait a minute. You all let the bastard get away and he could be coming after Miranda because he knows she told," Ben rushed getting off of the bed.

"We're concerned he may attempt to retaliate. We need to place you under protective custody until we can apprehend him."

Miranda's mind raced "I can't just hide away. I have a son, a Fiance, and a career."

"We are doing our best to get a handle on this and we will locate him again. I have men working non stop I-

"Ben!" Miranda shrieked when the phone ended after he hit the red button.

"Don't worry about them or Santiago. Miranda, I'm gonna end this,"

"Noooo you are not."

"He's not gonna hurt you. I'm gonna get to him before he even thinks about getting you."

"Baby, you could get killed or go to jail and I'm not going to be responsible for that. The FBI said-

"Those fuckers don't know shit. How in the entire fuck did they hold an entire operation, watch him for months, and lost him. Like are you kidding me? And you want me to trust them when it comes to you. You are my life, Miranda. I will not make it a day without you. Do you understand?"

"I understand, but Ben You can't go back to your old ways. You've changed so much and turned your life around. Don't throw it all away because of him."

He sighed, running a hand across his head "It's not about going back to my old ways, Miranda. It's about protecting you. I can't just sit here and do nothing."

Miranda cupped his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her. "I need you to stay safe. Khalil needs you. We all need you. Going after Santiago won't solve anything. It will only make things worse."

"I wish I could promise you that I wouldn't but I can't Sweetness, I love you and you're carrying our baby." He voiced rubbing her stomach.

Ever since the FBI's call Miranda had been on edge. She constantly checked her back and looked around everywhere she went. Ben was on edge too and she knew he was trying not to show his frustration. He was playing something and despite her disapproval, he continued.