Page 2 of Playing For Keeps
I call someone on my phone.
“Alex, I got the documents,” I say as soon as the person answers.
“Really? Oh shit. That’s great, Selena,” Alex, my partner says.
We’ve been through a lot together. She’s the one that usually fixes my mess anytime I get into trouble. She helps keep me out of danger. Although we’ve never gone after someone as big or powerful as Evan Ross. I’m not a police officer or a spy. I’m just a woman who’s sick of watching evil people get away with doing bad things. I can’t fix the whole world but it’s the little things like this that count. I’m going to expose Evan Ross for who he really is.
“Yeah. It’s pretty incriminating. There’s no way he wins the trial now.”
“Okay, I think you should leave D.C for a while. Just stay away. The trial is in a month. They’ll be looking for you once they know you’ve got the documents,” Alex tells me.
She’s right. That’s my plan as well. I already booked a flight to L.A. on my phone. It’s in two days. I figured I’ll enjoy the warm California sun for a little while.
“Be safe, Selena.”
“You too, Alex.”
I hang up and head to my small one-room apartment. Jeff calls me later in the night but I ignore it. I take a drink to calm my nerves and then I go to sleep.
When I wake up the next morning, I’m choking and there’s a hand wrapped around my throat. Someone is strangling me. He’s in a dark robbers’ mask. His eyes are cold and he looks like he intends to murder me. I start to scream but he closes a palm over my mouth.
“Don’t scream,” he warns, his voice threatening.
I hurriedly nod.
“Where are the documents?” he asks gruffly. I don’t answer simply because I can’t.
“Where are the fucking documents?!” he asks again, forcefully this time. His hands grip my mouth painfully. I feel a tear slide down my eyes.
I shake my head, trying to explain to him that I can’t answer. Trying to tell him that I don’t understand what he’s talking about. He loosens his grip on my mouth, enough for me to whisper.
“What documents?”
“The documents on Evan Ross.”
Oh. Shit, shit, shit.
My brain starts whirring. My heart rate quickens. I realize that this isn’t just an ordinary robbery. He’s here with an intent, probably to kill me and retrieve the documents. I think fast. He seems to be the only one. Maybe I can overpower him.
I manage to gather enough power in my legs to kick him hard on his side. He lets go of me for a second and I quickly bolt upright. I look around my room for a weapon and my eyes land on a baseball bat close to my closet. The man reaches inside his jacket for something. I’m not sure what it is, it could be a gun or a knife. I don’t wait to find out. I dive for the bat and then turn around. I don’t give him time to react before hitting him hard on the head and successfully knocking him out.
D.C isn’t safe for me anymore. I need to get out of here as soon as possible. I step over the unconscious man and grab the closest traveling bag. I throw in all my essential belongings and I retrieve the file from the safe hidden in my room. I know it’s useless to call the police. They won’t help me. I’m just beginning to realize just how dangerous the enemy I’ve made is. Evan Ross sent a hitman after me. Who knows what else he’ll do? I need help.
The man at my feet begins to stir so I rush out of the house. I start the ignition of my car and begin driving. A flight out of D.C is out of the question because they’re probably already tracking my movements. I already have a destination in mind. I just need to call and ask for help.
I hate asking for help.
Chapter 2
(Joseph)
______
The phone in my hand rings again and I know I have to answer it. She called for the first time 20 minutes ago and I ignored it. We haven’t spoken for years so why would she be calling? Now, she’s calling again so that means this isn’t a fluke. My heart pounds in my chest. What could Selena Myers possibly want from me? I take a deep breath and answer the call.
“It took you long enough!” she snaps, bypassing a greeting. I catch something else in her voice though. It sounds like fear but that can’t be right.
“Hello to you too, Lena,” I say drily.
