Book Two.
Arielle Thompson and Raheem Small, who grew up together in Slys Village, find themselves in an unexpected twist of fate as they both attend a family reunion after many years. Childhood enemies, their relationship was marred by Raheem's hur...
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The air inside the car was thick with tension, every second dragging like an eternity as they sped down the road toward Marcy's house. Raheem gripped the steering wheel tightly, his jaw clenched, while Arielle sat in the passenger seat, her face a mask of grim worry. In the back, AnnaKaye rested her head against Ricardo's shoulder, her hand protectively cradling her pregnant belly. Her eyes were wide, filled with panic, darting between the car windows as if she expected danger to appear at any moment.
Arielle wasn't saying much, but that didn't mean she wasn't feeling anything. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Her mind was racing, her thoughts spinning out of control, even as she fought to remain calm. She hadn't taken Daniel's threats lightly after the courthouse, and deep down, she had been expecting something like this to happen. Men like Daniel didn't just lose. They retaliated, and it looked like today was the day he had chosen to strike.
"Raheem, wah we ago do?" Arielle asked quietly, her voice tight. She didn't take her eyes off the road, though her hand moved almost unconsciously to touch the necklace she always wore, the one matching with her daughter but Angel's was specially made with a hidden tracking device in it and the matching anklet. Now, she could only pray it would lead them to her daughter.
"Whatever it takes," Raheem said, his tone steady, though Arielle could hear the tension beneath it. He was just as worried as she was, but he was holding it together for her sake. "Deno dem suppose to reach already and a look into things. By the time we reach, we'll know what we're dealing with."
"Mi did fucking know this did ago happen," Arielle muttered, more to herself than to Raheem. "I should've been more prepared."
"Arielle, stop it," Raheem said sharply, cutting her off. "There's no way you could've predicted this would happen today of all days. We're going to find them."
Ricardo, sitting in the back with a visibly distressed AnnaKaye, leaned forward. "Deno seh dem carry mum and the man dem gone a hospital, but no sign of the kids yet. Police dem declare it as a kidnapping and ago send out a Ananda alert."
AnnaKaye let out a small whimper, her hands shaking as she gripped her belly. "Oh God, Ricardo... what if sumn happens to them? What if—"
"Don't," Ricardo cut her off, pulling her close. "Nothing's going to happen to Caleb and Brianna. We a go get dem back, Anna."
Arielle's stomach twisted as she listened to their conversation, the same fear that AnnaKaye was voicing clawing at her insides. It wasn't just Caleb and Brianna. Angel was out there too, and the thought of her daughter in the hands of whoever had done this, especially if it was Daniel, sent a chill down her spine.
As soon as they pulled up to the scene, it was clear things had already escalated. Police cars lined the road, lights flashing as officers swarmed the area, questioning bystanders. The place where Marcy's car had been ambushed was marked off, and a crowd of onlookers had gathered, watching the commotion. Raheem parked the car hastily, and they all jumped out.
