Release

Chapter Ten

ALICIA 

I sat on the bed in our room trying to comprehend the reality that was unfolding in my life. Stressed is an understatement, I needed to relax. I knew my father must be loving this distraction... it gives him more time to plan his attack and i needed an escape plan. 

Not only from Stephani, but from my father, this whole life.... I need it gone. I was no longer the happy daughter living amongst my father's shadows, pretending i didn't see his evils. I knew this life would have consequences and i didn't ask to be in this life... My plan was set and i was ready.

I had secretly packed a bag and stashed some money... Stephani was soo busy with this Jose' thing that he didn't even notice some of my stuff was gone and i needed him to be busy. I knew they won't find him he wouldn't just leave the country it'll be too soon. There's only one place he would go to lie low and i knew that place. 

I couldn't tell them no, not yet i needed them to be distracted in order for my plan to work..  Now that everything was in order I need to act. 

STEPHANI

"Fuck we've been looking and can't find the fucker." Mark said as he was searching through the computer with Ezra over his shoulder. 

"Did you check his bank cards?" Ezra asked pushing his way through. 

"Hey man i have it i have it get off." Mark said pushing Ezra off him. I didn't even intervene i just sat staring...Thinking.. Jose', the man i considered my family was now the enemy... the man i have to hunt and kill.

But was i prepared to kill my own family? I had to find out the whole story before I take action... I knew i was in denial but i didn't care. 

"Umm" Her voice brought me back to reality. "Yes." I said not really looking at her. "Are you sure you want to go get Jose' in this state?" she asked me. I knew what she was implying, i was a mess... I was unstable about to break down... I was angry, angry that Jose' would betray me but angrier at myself for not seeing it sooner and letting him go when i had him. Fuck

"Yes i'll be fine." 

"Good because through all the stress and pressure I totally forgot that Jose' told me about a house a safe house he had kept." she started. Fck this shit was more useful than what we were doing.. we were finding out nothing.. at all

"And you just remembered this??" I was annoyed 

"Hey give the lady a break we are all stressed out here.. the important thing is she remembered and we can go get that fucker." Ezra said looking at me with a hardened facial expression.  

"Well get the men ready we leave in 10.. Mark you are to stay here and look after Alicia." i said 

"Why? i can take care of myself." she argued 

"I don't have time to argue with you.. the decision stays." i said as i prepare myself for battle. 

ALICIA

I sat down on the couch and handed Mark his drink... Nothing was going to stop me from making my escape... I watch him gulp the whole glass down. He stopped and look at me, then look at the glass. 

"Al what did you put in this?" he asked before passing out on the sofa... This was my opening, I ran upstairs and took my bag and my money,i placed my cell on the dresser and dashed downstairs. 

I needed to get a good head start so he wont catch me in the act lord knows what he would do if he knew i was leaving.... him and my father. 

I got in the car and drove to the front gate... " I have to go meet Stephani.. it's urgent." i told the guard he nodded and opened the gate. I drove down to the street and made my way to a familiar house. 

I knocked on the door and it immediately opened. "Do you have the stuff?" i asked and Tim nodded, i knew him from college he helped me with my fake IDs.  Tim handed me some hair dye and contacts. 

I quickly dyed my hair and placed the contacts in, he handed me the ID and passport. "Do you mind telling me where you are going?" he asked, i couldn't answer because one it'll be a risk and two i didn't even know where i was going. 

"No i can't i just know i have to leave before i'm killed either by him or my father." i said before giving him a warning and bolted. I ditched the car in a random car park and took a bus to the airport. Once there, I chose a random place with a small town and purchased a plane ticket.

STEPHANI

We pulled up at the safe house I signaled for the men to surround the place. once I was satisfied i looked at Ezra "We go in on my count." i said and he nodded "one..... Two... Go!"  me Ezra and six of my men trailed inside the house. We searched each room and couldn't find him or a body. "Fuck." i said "The bastard's not here." I said this place looked like no one was here for years nothing was touched and everything had dust on it. 

" He couldn't be here because there's no blood and i know Mark shot him in the foot." Ezra said still looking around the small place. "Shit let's go this was a bust." i managed to say. i was pissed i was expecting to find him.  Fuck i was at square one and I still don't know the truth. That part was eating me up inside. " i need to know why he did it... why he would betray me. 

I went home pissed i hated when a mission didn't go well. I walked through the door and i saw Mark passed out on the sofa. "Ezra wake him up." i said making my way to my room, something didn't feel right. where was Alicia? was she kidnapped.. Did Jose' take her.. If the fucker did he's as good as dead... Taking my property is asking for death. 

I ran back downstairs to see Mark waking up "Alicia's gone... I think Jose' must have taken her." i said anger clear in my voice. 

"No." Mark interrupted " He didn't she drugged me and left." he said i just stared at him. 

she left... she left me. This just added to my stress and I felt a wave of mixed emotions.  Fuck I knew this meant the deal was off.