**Fallon**
I couldn’t fathom the thought of anything happening to these 3 people who have risked their lives for me these past months. Maximo was going to find me, within a matter of time. If he didn’t find me soon, tomorrow, next month, within the next 5 years, I would be stuck running for my life and my child’s life for the rest of my life.
I called a meeting. “We need to talk.” I stated while looking all 3 of them in the eyes. “I think I should turn myself back over to Maximo.” James slammed his fists on the table and stood up really fast. Miles leaned back in his chair and put his hands over his face. Claire just sat there looking dumbly at me.
“Absolutely not!” He screamed. He was red in the face. His outburst made Claire jump, she must have never seen this side of him.
“For all of your safety.” I leaned forward and crossed my fingers. “He will never stop looking for me, but he would stop looking for you all. Frankly, you all would be forgiven and protected under the power and respect of my parents.” I closed my eyes. “But he will never let me go.” I had not said these words out loud until now. It was dawning on me how real this was for me. “I would never forgive myself if anything happened to any of you.”
Claire had a tear in her eye. “You expect us to just what, go back to our old lives? Without you in it? This last year has meant nothing to you?” She was upset, hurt.
“Quite the opposite actually, Claire. This last year has been the most important and revealing year of my life. I have had nothing but changes, but you 3 were the only things that never changed. You all were always there when I needed you. I love you all and don’t want anything to happen to you. He just will never stop…” I felt tears coming on. “Please. Please let me protect you for once.” I scanned their eyes.
“Fallon, I would never let anything happen to you, you know that?” Miles leaned forward and grabbed my hand. “We are here to protect you, I don’t want you going back to that, that, monster.” He winced at the thought. “Just think about it for more than a day, please.”
I scanned to James and nodded to him for his input, instead he just kicked his chair over and stormed out of the room. “You know, I don’t think he has ever stopped loving you.” Claire said annoyed. “I don’t think he ever will.” She looked more disappointed now.
“He’s a good man, Claire. Just don’t give up on him.” I gave her a small smile and patted the back of her hand. “Woah, baby is tired tonight. We will talk more in the morning.” I smiled at them both and went to look for James.
I found him outside, smoking a cigarette with his pistol in his hand. “Not now, Fallon.” He said without turning around to face me.
“James, please.” I walked closer to him, touching his elbow. He jerked it away roughly. “James, please don’t do this to me. Just talk to me. Please.” I was pleading. I needed him to listen. He jerked his face around to face me and got really close to my face, stooping to my level. I could feel his breath on my forehead.
“What do you want from me, Fallon? Huh? You want me to let you go back to that asshole and let him abuse you, rape you, lock you away? You want him to allow his father’s pussy of a bodyguard to kick you in the stomach again so this time your baby actually dies? What, Fallon? What do you want me to say?”
“I want you to continue to love me, James, but I need you to let me go.” He was not expecting those words. “I have never stopped loving you, James, and I never will. You were my first, my first everything. Love, friend, protector. You make me see myself in a way nobody else will ever make me see myself, but I would not be able to live with myself if Maximo found all of us together, here. I would never forgive myself if he killed you. He won’t kill me. Not just yet. I can live with that, I can’t live without you.” I was crying, tears filled my eyes and stained my cheeks.
He pulled me into a hug, pulling me close into his chest. I nuzzled my nose into his neck and breathed in his smell. I loved his smell, I always have. He kissed my forehead and held me tight. “Please, Fallon, don’t do this.”
“I have to.” We both knew this was for the best. “Tomorrow we fly out for St. Louis, you will all be going to my parents’ home. You will be protected there. I will make a deal with Maximo.” He wasn’t listening anymore. He turned back around and I could hear his soft sniffles.
“Just go get some rest, Fallon.” He said before beginning to walk around to the back of the cabin.
I went inside and booked our flight back to St. Louis and laid down, falling asleep almost instantly.
**Maximo**
I rolled over to my phone ringing. “What?”
“We found her.” Julio beamed.
“Where?” I sat up quickly.
“She just booked a flight from New England to St. Louis.”
“Get my jet ready, we leave tonight.” I jumped out of bed and started to pack. I haven’t shaved in weeks, something she will not be expecting. I probably should so she doesn’t think I have fallen apart within her time of being gone.
Julio and Monte pulled up to the hotel within 10 minutes. I was already at the curb. “Go.” I ordered and Julio sped off. I was lost in my thoughts as we pulled up to the airstrip. Luckily, we would be in St. Louis on time to interject her getting too far away.
We climbed onto the plane and I greeted my new pilot, the last pilot took some time off to care for his sick mother, he served my family well so I was fine with letting him have some time off, I even picked up his mother’s medical bills.
“Wheels up in 10.” He announced over the speaker and before I knew it we were off for St. Louis to get my bitch of a wife.
**Fallon**
I woke up at 2am to leave. Nobody was awake and they left my door unlocked tonight. I didn’t bother to pack any of my things expect my wallet and passport. I only booked myself a flight as I figured Maximo probably had people watching the flights.
I had called a taxi, believe it or not, this small town had a local taxi service. I informed them to park a mile up the road so they would not wake anyone. I began walking down the road. The moon was bright tonight. I made sure to carry a knife incase any wildlife decided to come at me.
I made it to the taxi and he opened the door for me, “where to, Miss?” I told him the local airport and he turned around and off we went. It was a 3 hour drive to get to the airport, so I know that even if James or Miles woke up early I would have a 3 hour head start on them.
I paid the driver and went into the terminal. It was not busy, it was close to 6am and really nobody was here just yet. I waited in my line to get my ticket.
I made it through TSA rather quickly and was boarded on the plane by 8am. We made it to St. Louis at 10:30am. I waited to exit the plane last, as I knew Maximo would be waiting for me when I got off.
**Maximo**
Holy shit. She is huge compared to the last time I saw her. I stood in front of Julio and Monte who I could both hear gasp behind me. It wasn’t until now I fully believed she was pregnant. She walked slowly over to me.
My lips were pressed to a hard line. She didn’t look happy to see me either. “Where are the others.” I asked forcefully.
“I came alone.” Fallon retorted. “Nice to see you too.” She had no bags, no belongings. Just her and my child.
“Don’t even, all the shit you pulled these last 5 months? Let’s go.” I grabbed her arm and tugged it hard, making sure she wouldn’t be able to run for it. I finally got her back. She is going to pay for what she has put me through.
We boarded the Hernandez jet and headed back to Mexico.