Alexis had gone Christmas shopping. It was two weeks away but she'd told him she wanted to buy gifts for everyone before the Christmas rush begun. He could have told her the rush always started at the beginning of the month but he didn't want to dampen her moods so he let her go. He also needed to buy a few things for the orphanage. Ray had begged to go with her but she'd said no, claiming she was buying a present for him too and she didn't want him to see it. They parted ways in the morning, kissing goodbye before each got in their car and drove off in different directions. It was safe to say he had separation anxiety because he had a mind to turn his car around and follow her.He'd helped her find an office building and they'd spent at least two weeks together getting everything ready. Everyone had tried to pitch in, even nosy Nick but she'd shooed them away claiming that she was okay.

    "Listen Byron. I'll tell you this for the last time. We are not going to ask for ransom""But why not? She's loaded. I bet her  parents will pay millions to get her back. Why are we not asking for money?""Because that's not why we took her. I have a bone to pick with her"Byron rolled his eyes "And you can't do that after we've asked for the money?""I SAID NO! I don't want her money""Good for you. But I want the money so let me know when you're done with her so I can make the ransom call"Alexis lay still listening to the argument. She knew the owner of the first voice. This guy named Byron sounded familiar but

Connor watched the car zigzag on the narrow pathway she'd taken that would have eventually led her out of their vicinity. He knew that the moment she hit the road, they wouldn't have been able to catch her. He hadn't meant to shoot at her either but she had left him with no choice. He couldn't let her escape without exacting his revenge on her and getting her parents to send him money. He needed the cash to escape, leave the country before they put him behind bars again. This was all her doing. Trying to act like she knew better than him.She made him look stupid. Heck he felt stupid for not searching for her in the house first. But when he'd seen the open window only one thing had registered in his brain. That she'd escaped. Surely anyone would have come to that conclusion. He told Byron to go the opposite direction so they could surround her but a few feet into the trees, the roar of an

Three days ago        "Ray you have to calm down," his father said even though Ray was basically a statue. Bent over with his elbows resting on his knees, he hadn't said a word. But then again maybe that was the problem. The fact that he hadn't said or done anything ever since they arrived at the hospital was cause for concern. Everyone thought he was angry that because he was silent. After all, that's what he did. How could he say anything now though? What did they want him to say? He'd watched the EMTs try to revive her. He'd sat there just watching because there was nothing he could do.Never in his life had he felt so powerless, so useless. The love of his life was dying right in front of him and there was nothing he could do. He felt crippled. Even when they'd gotten her heartbeat back, he

        "I'm sorry but did you just say, wife?" Alexis asked taking a step back. Wife?"Alexis.....""You have a wife Ray?""Had a wife""A fucking wife that you didn't tell me about even after you proposed to me?" she snapped angrily drawing attention to their table. Ray sighed. He should have known this was bound to happen sooner or later. By not telling her, he'd brought this on himself. And Odessa wasn't helping either. It was so like her to drop a bomb like that then stand back and watch as he tried to pick up the blown up pieces. "Oh my God. It's Connor all over again" Alexis murmured making him freeze."What?"