CHAPTER 095: Best Christmas Ever
I’m about to slam my foot on the gas when I hear Carolina shout behind me.
“Lucas!”
I groan, gripping the steering wheel tighter. She reaches my window, pounding on it with
urgency.
“Lucas, are you leaving too? What about me?”
I roll the window down halfway. “Stay here and wait for the police.”
Her eyes widen. “What if something happens to you?”
“Nothing will happen. Just do as I say.”
She hesitates. “Okay… be careful.”
I nod.
Without another word, I roll the window back up and press down on the gas. The tires squeal as I peel out of the parking lot, leaving Carolina standing in the glow of the mall lights.
The road stretches out before me, bright and endless, but I only have one focus–my mother’s car. The car comes in and out of view as she weaves through traffic with reckless determination.
“Jesus,” I say. “Where the hell did she learn to drive like that?”
I push the gas pedal harder, the engine roaring in protest. Within seconds, I’m right behind her–thanks to the twin–turbo V8 engine. I’m close enough to see her in the driver’s seat, her hands gripping the wheel with deadly precision.
Every turn she takes is sharper, every maneuver more daring. I’m left scrambling to keep up. I barely miss slamming into a delivery truck as I swerve to follow her down a narrow
side street.
“This is insane,” I say. “She’s going to get herself killed.”
I flash my headlights, tapping on the horn as well. She doesn’t slow down. If anything, she speeds up.
The chase becomes a blur of speed and danger. She takes a hard right, nearly skidding out of control, but she recovers quickly. I follow her into a residential neighborhood, the houses looming like silent spectators.
I don’t remember Sara’s parent’s house being in this neighborhood. It’s been years since I last visited. They must have moved.
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My mother’s car swerves into a driveway, the tires kicking up gravel. I slam on the brakes, skidding to a stop behind her. She’s out of the car in an instant, striding toward the front door like a woman possessed.
“Mamá, stop!” I yell, throwing my door open and jumping out.
She ignores me, her fist pounding on the front door with a force I didn’t know she had.
“Open this damn door, Gloria!” she shouts in Spanish.
I reach her in a few strides. “Are you sure she’s here?”
“She’s here.”
My eyes lock onto the garage door. It’s slightly open–a sliver of space just wide enough to see darkness beyond.
I step closer, adrenaline flooding my veins. Then I grip the bottom of the door. With a deep breath, I heave it upward. The door creaks, reluctant at first, then rolls, the sound echoing in the stillness.
The space is dimly lit. My eyes adjust, scanning the room. That’s when I see her.
Julie.
She’s sitting on a chair in the middle of the room, legs crossed, calm as if she’s waiting for a manicure. Behind her stands Sara’s mother, older than I remember. And she’s holding a
gun.
“Luke,” Julie says, as soon as she sees me.
I take a step forward, but before I can reach her my mother strides past me, heading straight for Gloria.
“Stay back,” Gloria says, her voice trembling as she raises the gun.
unless you
have my daughter.”
“Don’t come any closer
Every muscle in my body coils tight. But my mother doesn’t slow down. She doesn’t even flinch.
She’s right there, inches from the gun, face to face with Gloria. They start arguing in Spanish, words flying fast.
“Have you lost your mind?”
lost your mind?” my mother
says.
“Get me my daughter!”
“Your daughter’s in prison.”
Julie stands. She starts to walk toward me, but Gloria swings the gun in her direction. Stop!” she shouts.
((
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CHAPTER 095: Best Christmas Ever
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Julie freezes mid–step.
“Look at me, Gloria,” my mother says. “Put the gun down.”
“I can’t. Not until I get my daughter back.”
“And then what? You’ll spend the rest of your life in prison? You think this is going to solve anything?”
Gloria lets out a broken sob, her grip on the gun faltering.
“I know you’re scared,” my mother continues, her voice calm, soothing. “But this isn’t the way. Let’s talk about this. No one needs to get hurt.”
There’s a long, agonizing pause. Everyone in the room is holding their breath, waiting. Finally, Gloria breaks. The gun drops from her hand, clattering to the floor. She collapses against my mother, sobbing into her shoulder.
I step forward and pick up the gun, checking the safety. It’s off. Of course, it’s off. I fling it
aside.
Julie rushes to me, throwing her arms around my neck.
“Oh, my god,” she whispers.
“I know, princess. We’re leaving now.” I hold her tighter, watching as my mother cradles Gloria like a wounded child.
The room is silent except for the sound of Gloria’s sobs. Then I hear the sharp wail of
sirens.
“No,” my mother says. She glances up at me, her face streaked with tears. “Lucas, send them away.‘
“What?”
“Please,” she sobs, still cradling Gloria. “She didn’t mean to do this. She’s just grieving. She’s not a criminal.”
“She kidnapped my fiancée at gunpoint,” I say. “You want me to send the police away after that?”
“She’s a mother who lost her child. You don’t understand. She’s in pain. Please, Lucas, do this for me. Send them away.”
I take a step back, shaking my head. “I can’t. They’re already here.”
A booming voice echoes through the air: “This is the police! Everyone in the house, come out with your hands raised!”
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CHAPTER 0958 Best Christmas (
Julie clutches my arm.
I take a deep breath. “Let’s go.”
We make our way outside.
I raise my hands, stepping forward. “I’m the one who called!” I shout over the noise. “This is my fiancée. She was kidnapped.”
A few officers exchange glances, lowering their weapons slightly. One of them steps forward, his eyes narrowing. “You were kidnapped?”
Julie nods. “Yes. I was taken by Gloria González.”
Before the officercan respond, my mother appears, dragging Gloria by the arm. Gloria’s face is streaked with tears, her sobs hiccuping in her throat.
“Let me go,” Gloria wails.
“She’s the one!” Julie says, her finger trembling as she points at Gloria.
The officers spring into action, surrounding Gloria and my mother. My mom steps back, raising her hands. “I just brought her out. Do what you need to do.”
Two officers grab Gloria, pulling her hands behind her back and snapping cuffs onto her wrists. She crumples to her knees, still sobbing. “My daughter–my daughter’s in prison because of them!” she cries.
One of the officers reads Gloria her rights as they lift her to her feet. She’s still struggling, her words a jumbled mess of rage and despair.
“I feel so sorry for her,” my mother says, watching Gloria with softness in her eyes.
“You mothers are weird,” I say.
“I feel sorry for her too.” Julie’s smirking beside me. “Must be because I’m pregnant. Unbelievable. “You’re smiling way too much for someone who just got kidnapped.”
She shrugs, but there’s a light in her eyes that wasn’t there before.
The officer who approached us earlier steps forward again, his voice steady and professional. “We’ll need statements from you, but for now, you’re free to go.”
Julie nods. “Thank you.
We turn and walk toward the car. I glance back over my shoulder, watching as they load Gloria into the back of the squad car. Her sobs have turned into silent tears.
My mother stands a few feet away, her gaze steady on me. “Take her home, Lucas,” she says. “She’s seen enough of the town for today”
CHAPTER 005: Best Christmas Ever
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I nod, guiding Julie to the car. We slide into our seats, the door shutting with a comforting thud. I grip the steering wheel.
Julie leans into me, her head resting on my shoulder. Her warmth seeps into me, soothing the tension that’s been coiled in my chest all day.
“You okay?” I glance down at her.
“Yeah…” She hesitates, then adds, “I’m just wondering if I should tell the police about Gloria’s two sons who ran inside the house when you stormed in.”
I snap my head toward her. “Sons? What the hell, Julie?”
She bites her lip, trying to hold back a laugh. “Yeah, there were two guys in the garage when you barged in like some action hero. They bolted the second you entered.”
“You definitely should’ve mentioned that earlier.”
“I don’t think so. I’m with your mother on this one.” She shrugs, settling back into her
seat.
I stare at her, incredulous. “You were just kidnapped, Julie. Don’t tell me you’ve developed Stockholm Syndrome in one hour.”
“No, I just think when someone’s already down, there’s no need to kick them in the face.”
I run a hand over my face, sighing. “I don’t even know what to say. You left the hotel room without security. I almost had a heart attack when Carolina said she couldn’t find you. And now you’re protecting the kidnappers. There has to be some stubborn Colombian gene in you.”
She gives me a knowing smile. “Probably got it from your sperm.‘
“Oh, my god.”
“I’m sorry, Luke. I didn’t know I was going to get kidnapped.”
Despite how angry I am, I laugh, shaking my head. “God help me. I don’t think I’m going to live beyond fifty.”
“You think you’re going to escape the drama by dying?”
“I can try.
“Let’s hope there’s no afterlife then. Cos I’ll be there to torment you again.”
I smile and start the car, the low rumble filling the silence between us as I pull out onto the road. For the first time today, the adrenaline that’s been fueling me begins to fade. My mind races with everything that just happened.
After a few moments of silence, Julie says, “Luke?”
CHAPTER 095: Best Christmas Ever
+25 BONUS
“Yeah?” I keep my eyes on the road.
“For what it’s worth… this was my best Christmas ever. Your mother’s so badass.”
I’m quiet for a while, processing her words. Then I glance at her.
“I think you might have a kidnapping kink.”
Julie laughs.
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