The Bodyguard (Hosie)

Chapter 17

Several plans ran through Hope's mind as she lay on the mattress next to Josie. It was safe to say Maya had been given orders to hurt Josie. She noted Maya's unhappiness too. It could be a turning point for Josie when it came to the crunch. Being free of bonds, Hope knew she had just one chance to make an escape. Should she fail, Josie would suffer and they would not be given another chance to get away. Over on the other side of the shed, Maya was raising her voice again. This time, Hope could hear one of the men too. And it didn't take her long to identify him as Clarke, the meaner of the two men.

"What's the fucking problem? You too scared?"

"Use your brains, Clarke. They're just using us."

"Cut the friend's finger. They won't know the difference."

"Her father isn't a stupid man. He'll know."

"If you too scared to do it, I can."

"They didn't pay us for it. And it's not the same when you start cutting them up. That's another charge."

"You just scared."

"Fuck. This is business. If you gonna do things your way, get out."

A sudden slam of the table jolted Hope's eyes open. Clarke was shouting vulgarities now. Maya going head to head with him. The other guy yelling at them to stop. Next to her, Josie was trembling so Hope squeezed her arm to assure her.

"Stay still," she whispered.

Right then a gunshot rang out, deafening her. Inevitably, Josie screamed and that attracted their attention.

Damn it. Hope peeped over Josie's shoulder and saw Clarke storming towards them, gun in hand. It was now or never.

Despite the slight throb in her head from the fever and medicine, Hope held Josie still until the very last moment. Then, with a swift roll, Hope lifted her leg and swung it at the gun just as it got within reach. The next kick was aimed at the injured wrist. It provoked a pained cry and brought a grimace to Clarke's frowning face. Hope lost no time in using the momentum to flip over onto her feet and then it was a race for the gun.

There was shouting and yelling but Hope zoned everything out as she dived for the gun. Clarke's hand almost got to it but she managed to push it out of the way and grab the gun with her left hand. Once she got it, it was a matter of putting enough distance between her and the man. But Josie's scream ended it all.

"Drop the gun now!" Maya hollered.

Hope kept her gun pointed at Clarke and shifted to get vision of Josie. Maya had her by the throat and a gun to her temple. There was a very real possibility of Josie dying even though Hope knew it was the last thing Maya wanted. It was time to cool things down.

"You know I would never have done this," she began, gun still trained at Clarke's head.

"Shut the fuck up Hope! Fuck!"

Hope pressed on. "I promised you and I intend to keep my promise. But I am Josie's bodyguard and I won't let anyone hurt her."

"Put the gun down!"

"LISTEN TO ME!" Hope screamed. "Leave Josie alone and I won't do this."

"You're talking too fucking much," Clarke snarled. "Fucking shoot her now!"

Maya didn't, however. Hope saw the hesitation in her eyes and capitalized on it. "I swear. I just want to protect Josie. It's my job. We'll stay here if nobody hurts her."

Maya seemed to consider Hope's bargaining but Clarke did not have the patience. He charged straight at Hope, forcing her to pull the trigger. The bullet hit an ankle and the big man went down with a broken cry but Hope didn't even flinch. Instead, she kept her eyes on Maya, holding the woman's gaze with all the calm in the world.

"I won't shoot you, Maya. Not if Josie is unharmed."

"Drop the gun and we'll talk."

Hope shook her head. "I need the gun. Your man is not listening to you and I need to protect Josie and myself from him."

"You fucking shot him!"

"He was going to attack me." Hope back away from the crying Clarke. "He didn't listen to you, Maya. You never used to allow that."

"You don't know shit."

"I know enough." Hope could hear Josie sobbing but kept her eyes on Maya's. "I know what a promise is." Maya's face was flaming up and she looked like she was about to burst but Hope held her ground and she maintained her stoic expression even when Maya pushed Josie to the floor.

"Take you woman."

"She's not my woman. She's my client's daughter."

"Don't fuck like a bitch, Hope. This isn't over."

Still pointing her gun at Clarke, Hope moved to shield Josie who was crawling towards her. "I believe you will let us go as you promised. I'm willing to wait for it without anybody else getting hurt."

The anger did not abate in Maya's eyes but she lowered her gun and moved to Clarke. "Fucking idiot," she swore at him before turning to the other man who had stayed by her side in silence during the entire exchange. "Rafael! Help me stop the bleeding."

Rafael stepped forward, taking off his shirt. He pressed it against the wound, making Clarke scream in pain again. Together with Maya, they secured Clarke's ankle and hoisted him up. Rafael's strength showed in how easily he supported Clarke's weight while helping the man to the door.

With their captors' attention diverted to Clarke, Hope sneaked to the table on the other side and stole Maya's phone. Stuffing it under her dress, Hope returned to the mattress where Josie sat with tears running down her cheeks.

"Hey, hey...no more tears, okay?" Hope coaxed as she gathered Josie into her arms.

"It was so scary," Josie said between sobs.

"I know. It was very dangerous and you were very brave."

"I just want to go home, Hope. Please bring me home."

Hope stared at her blackened bare feet, willing herself to stay strong despite their situation. "I'm working on that." Nudging Josie's chin, Hope smiled when the woman met her eyes. "Do you trust me?"

Josie nodded. "I trust you."

"Good, because I have a plan and I need your help."