A little run away.

Charles

I washed my face in cold water and adjusted my pants. Talking to Jo was just what I needed to get my head straight.

I over heard Lavender talking on her phone. Slowly cracking the door open, I eavesdropped on the conversation.

" I understand, but Jo I am also in the CIA. I can't just drop everything to hold your husband's hand. I am not doing that. f**k! You are so damn irrational here. Manuel Ortega does not need a f*****g babysitter.

Now Charles Hudson on the other hand, that hunk of lean ground steak I can babysit any time. WHY? You can't have both of them Jo. I have my needs."

I smiled hearing Lavender being brought to heel by my Joey.

" I might have made a pass at him, you know how I am.

No Jo, he locked himself in the bathroom right after my first little kiss. I guess he didn't like feeling me rock hard against his thigh." She sounded defeated.

" Jo, when I see you again, you owe me for this. You and I are going away on a little bitty girls trip understand?"

She was sitting on the end of the bed, looking in the mirror, right at me.

I swung the door open and took her phone.

" Jo, I forgot to tell you something." I said frowning down at Lavender.

" Oh, hey Charles. She called me, just so you know. She keeps flirting with me." Jo admitted.

" Me too. She's like a siren, but I promise you that I managed to run away before anything serious went down."

Lavender was leaning back on her arms, sitting on the bed and licked her lips very slowly.

" Charles, be nice to her. She's been through so much. But don't f*****g sleep with her or him, promise me now Charles!"

" I promise you my love. But on the other hand, you need to make me a promise, not to sleep with HIM either."

" Blue is not my type Charles. Oh, I gotta go, daddy and the kids are coming today. We leave for home tomorrow. Remember what I said, watch over my ex husband please."

" I promise. Love you baby. Oh Jo, I wanted to tell you to contact my father, he is handling security for you and the family now. " I handed the phone back to Lavender.

" No, Jo...I won't hurt you that way, I promise. Fine. Jo, I think I love you too pretty girl."

I watched as Lavender slipped quickly into the Blue personality. It was amazing how she did that.

I packed my gun into the back of my pants and put on my suit jacket.

Lavender hung up her phone.

" That girl is quite amazing you know? I never met a woman quite like her. I'm sorry I tried to seduce you, forgive me Charles?" She said, putting on her pants and tucking her gun into her shoulder holster.

" Let's go to the airport, Manuel should be here soon." She said and took my hand, squeezing it.

" No matter what Charles, we keep him safe for Jo, right?"

" Uhgg...right Lavender, right."

*************

Josephine

Arturo left for the airport, the kids and my parents were arriving soon.

I went to find Angelina. She was gone.

" Where could a little 8 year old possibly go?" I asked my sister.

Everyone had searched for her all over the ranch.

Maria, the house keeper took me into Manuel's office. She pointed at a computer monitor.

" Josephine, maybe this will show us where she is?"

I hugged her and turned to face the security monitor.

Sitting at Manuel's large mahogany desk, I used the mouse to review the past few hours.

" Where are you baby girl?" I sighed.

***********

Manuel

I was stretching out my feet as the plane turned and began it's decent.

I sighed holding my phone, staring at the screen.

I gave up everything for my family. It was my decision.

But I understood what it was to love with all of you heart.

I loved them more than life itself. Maybe I had been foolish to divorce her before I left.

But I knew if she was my ex- wife, then maybe she wouldn't be a target to the cartel.

I crossed my ankles over eachother and fiddled with my tie. I sighed again.

I felt the plane lurch as it touched ground and taxied to a full stop.

Standing up, I adjusted my suit and grabbed my briefcase.

It was time to die.

If I couldn't produce an 8 year old girl to Armani, and I refused to do that. I was signing my death warrant.

I stepped down the stairs and began to make my way to the waiting car.

Charles got out and looked shocked.

I smiled at him, greeting him politely. He pointed behind me.

Angelina was walking a few feet from me. Somehow this little angel stowed aboard my private jet.

I looked at her and shook my head. " No baby, no."

She shyly ran to me and hugged my legs.

" Papa, I am supposed to be with you." She said looking up at me with tears in her red eyes.

I picked her up and handed my brief case to Charles.

" Sorry sweetie, where I go, you cannot. You must go home with Jo and your new family."

I looked at Charles.

" You need to take her back when you go." I told him.

Angelina wailed loudly.

" No daddy, no I'm supposed to be with you." She screamed.

Lavender got out now, hearing the commotion.

" You are making a scene, get the hell in the car, all of you!" She chastised us.

I nodded and took Angelina into the back seat with me.

" Manuel, change of plans. Josephine tasked us to look after you. I'm not going back. Looks like Angelina needs to meet her real father." Charles said, flapping his big mouth.

" Whose my real father?" Angelina cried.

I kissed her head. "Charles, why are you doing this to her, she's just a baby?" I scowled.

Angelina moved from my arms.

" You...you know who my real daddy is, did you lie to me papa?" She said narrowing her eyes at me.

" No baby, I never lied. I do know who he is. But, I want you safe. I don't know how safe it is where he lives sweetie." I reached out to stroke her long, black hair.

She turned from my hand and slid into Lavenders arms. Hugging her tightly.

I looked out the window. A f*****g mess now.

I glared at Lavender. "We are having words you and I, you arsonist!" I glared at her harder.

" Well, the truth is, I did it on accident Manuel. You see, I dropped my cigarette and...poof. Honestly, I didn't know there was accelerent in the barn.

I know it looked bad for me, but I only claimed doing it because I wanted to get under your skin. I am sorry."

" My kids were in the home!" I yelled.

Angelina moved in closer to Lavender and hid her head, seeing my anger.

" Your scaring the dang kid Ben, cool it." Charles said.

" You called me Ben?" I said looking at him with my brows furrowed.

" Well, Jo claims you have changed and I tend to believe her, so it's only right to call you by your new name." He said looking down and biting his lip.

I grunted.

But it made me very happy to tell you the truth.

I was glad not to be alone when I faced my death. Lavender and Charles would have to get Angelina somewhere safe for me.