Chapter 3 - The Homeless Millionaire
The morning light was harsh and unforgiving.
I sat against a dumpster near the warehouse,
huddled under a thin,
stained blanket.
My stomach was cramping from lack of food,
but the adrenaline was keeping me sharp.
At 7:30 a.m.,
the back door of the warehouse creaked open.
Rebecca stepped out,
looking flawless in a designer sun-dress and expensive sunglasses.
She looked like an angel descending into the slums.
She didn't even glance at the "homeless man" sitting ten feet away.
She pulled out her phone,
her voice bright and cheerful.
"Morning,
baby!"
"I'm just heading to the office now."
"I can't wait to see you."
"Today is the start of our forever."
I watched her walk toward her luxury SUV,
the one I had paid for.
The irony was a bitter pill to swallow.
She drove away,
leaving a cloud of dust and the scent of expensive perfume.
A few minutes later,
Lucy stepped out.
She looked different.
She looked broken.
She was carrying a small bag of trash to the bin.
Her eyes were red,
as if she had spent the night crying.
I waited until she was close enough to hear me.
"It’s water,"
I whispered,
"not a kidney."
Lucy froze.
The trash bag slipped from her fingers,
hitting the ground with a soft thud.
She didn't turn around at first.
She stood perfectly still,
her shoulders shaking.
"Alex?"
she breathed,
the word barely audible.
I stood up,
letting the blanket fall to the ground.
I stepped toward her,
my heart in my throat.
"Don't look at me,"
I said,
my voice low.
"Thorne might be watching."
"Just keep your back to me and listen."
"I know everything,
Lucy."
"I know about the threats."
"I know about your mother."
"And I know what happened three years ago."
I saw her hand go to her mouth to stifle a sob.
"He’ll kill us,
Alex,"
she whispered.
"You don't know what they’re capable of."
"I know what I’m capable of,"
I replied.
"My security team is already at the museum."
"Your mother is safe."
"She’s being moved to a secure location as we speak."
I saw the tension leave her body,
a visible wave of relief.
"How?"
"I’m not just a mark,
Lucy."
"I built my company from a folding table and a laptop that overheated."
"I know how to deal with bugs."
"Listen to me carefully."
"Thorne is going to stay here until the signing is confirmed."
"When the police arrive,"
"I need you to run to the blue van at the end of the block."
"Andrew is inside."
"He’ll take care of you."
"Alex,
wait,"
she said,
finally turning her head just enough to catch a glimpse of me.
"Why did you come back for me?"
"After three years?"
"Because I promised I’d pay you back,"
I said,
a small smile touching my lips despite the grime on my face.
"And because Baron misses you."
She let out a small,
watery laugh.
"He’s okay?"
"He’s better than okay."
"He’s waiting for us."
"Now,
go back inside."
"Don't let them suspect anything."
"I’ll see you at the finish line."
She nodded,
picked up the trash bag,
and walked back into the warehouse.
I watched the door close,
May you like
and then I headed for the office.
The game was almost over.
