The Price of Love

Chapter 23

Maria's PoV

I don't go straight to New York. Cornwallis, I learned his name from Alexander, took me back to South Carolina. And I have some business at the palace anyway. I burst into John's room and he looks up at me. "Hi Maria. Where were you?" He greets me, closing his book. I walk up to him and bitch slap him across the face. He stares at me, shocked. I grab his shirt and pull him close to my face.

"You're a fucking liar John Laurens. I'm glad I didn't believe you." I growl.

"Maria, what's this all about?" He asks, starting to get angry.

"That boy fucking loves you more than anything. You dump him, then you dare have the nerve to lie to me about what happened!? He told me, word for word, 'Please, please, tell him I'm sorry. Tell him it's all my fault. I shouldn't have let him drink, I'm such an idiot! Even though he won't care, tell him I still love him. Please.' "

"Don't you speak of him." He saids coldly.

"I found him! He was crying when he said that John! He loves you so fucking much, but you're too self-centered to see that!" I yell, letting go of him. I grab him again as he moves away. "You will come with me, and you will be there when we free him." I snarl, my murderous glare burning into him.

"Okay, okay, just let go of me." He whines. I do, and he moves to the other side of his bed. "God woman." He mutters. I glare at him.

"I have business to attend to. I'll be back for you later." I say coldly, then leave.

---

Hours and hours later, I arrive in New York. Manhattan ended up being easy to get to. I just asked some of the locals, and they pointed me in the right direction. Oh, and I did change my clothes before I left so I wouldn't stand out as much. I get to Manhattan via a horse and carriage and pay the driver. I walk around, asking where Kips Bay is. No one questions why, they just give me the directions and send me on my way. I end up asking a soldier, and he takes me there himself, telling a story along the way. "The General was practically begging them to kill him, he was bein' so reckless." He chuckles. "But that little man is indestructible. I hope he's okay, wherever he is. He never came back from Albany, we're all mighty worried 'bout him. 'Specially his father. Well, here you are miss, have a nice day." He dips his head and leaves. I'm left standing on a wooden dock with army personnel running around it, moving munitions.

"Robertson, you're in charge until I get back. I need to speak with Washington." I hear someone say.

"Pardon me sir, but would you mind taking me with you? I have an urgent message for him." I say as he passes me.

"Of course miss, follow me." He walks off at a brisk pace and I follow after him. He leads me down the streets to a wooden house not unlike any of the others here and knocks on the door. It opens a few seconds later.

"Yes yes, come in." The large man standing in the doorway says. He has large bags under his eyes and looks like he's under a lot of stress. I follow behind the soldier, but stop outside of the room they enter, getting the feeling they're discussing a private military matter. After about ten minutes, the soldier leaves and I'm called in. "I'm sorry for the wait, miss. I'm told you have an urgent message for me?"

"Yes sir." I take a deep breath. "I know where your son is."

"You found Alex?" He demands, standing up suddenly. "Where is he? Is he safe? Is he alright?" I shake my head.

"He's alive, but in a bad state. I don't know exactly where he is, but I can take you to him." I say.

"Thank you." He says. "How are we going to get him out?"

"He's already got a plan sir. There's about two dozen British guarding him, he said that you'll need a platoon to get him out. And he requested your own men, your 'boys in blue' as he put it. He also said that in the left drawer of his desk, in the stack of papers, there's plans for what to do if he gets captured." I inform him. His face splits into a grin.

"He really is prepared for anything." He chuckles. "I couldn't be prouder of him. I can't tell you how grateful I am to you. Is there anything I can do to repay you?" I shake my head.

"Just focus on getting your son back sir, I'll take you to him and you do the rest." He nods.

---

When I get back to South Carolina after leading New York's troops to where Alexander is, I go straight back up to John's room. And in case you're wondering, I'm helping New York because I believe they deserve to be free. No one should be forced under a rule they don't agree with. "John Laurens get your ass up. You're coming with me whether or not you want to. I will drag your sorry ass there if I have to." I snarl.

"Fine." He says, cowering from me. I snort.

"Just come on. If I hear one complaint come out of your mouth, you're seeing God the hard way." I threaten.

"Okay." He squeaks. I march him out of his room and to the secret tunnel he used to use to sneak out. There's horses waiting for us at the end which I had tied there when I got back.

"Get on and follow me." I snap, mounting one of the horses. A raindrop falls on my shoulder. Great, that's all we need.

---

We ride through the rain for about an hour, not stopping. Then we're met with the sounds of a battle in full swing. Gunshots, screams of pain, orders being yelled at troops, dying screams of men on both sides. It makes me stop my horse in its tracks. But John jumps off his horse and ties it to a tree. "I'm only doing this because you're going to kill me otherwise, for the record." He spits, wiping rain out of his eyes. I nod and follow his lead, tying my horse to a tree and following him through the wet trees.