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“Where are you going, Mommy?” Kari asked.
“Mommy has to go handle something, but I’ll be back. I promise. You get to spend the whole day with Nana and Papa, and you get to meet the rest of your family. All of those people can’t wait to get to know you.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Well… okay. Mr. Ahmad, are you coming back too?”
“Of course I will, Rabbit. You be a good girl.”
“Yes, sir.”
She came over to hug us both before grabbing my father’s hand and pulling him toward the back. My mother turned to us with a serious face.
“I don’t understand why you need to do this, but I’ll respect it. Just please… be safe.”
“Don’t worry,” Ahmad said. “I’ve got her, and my team has both of us. I’ll bring her back safe and sound.”
She nodded as she pulled me into her arms once again. “I love you, Nala.”
“I love you, too. Now go enjoy your grandbaby. I’ll see you soon.”
She sighed heavily as she walked toward the back door.
“You ready to do this?” Ahmad asked.
“If I’m not… I might as well be.”
If I didn’t trust Ahmad, I’d fear for my life in the middle of nowhere. We’d been driving for what seemed like forever. When we turned onto an old dirt road that was overshadowed by big, bush trees, I briefly thought, this man could be taking me to my death. Even with the sun still out, the thickness of the trees casted the darkest shadow. When we finally made it to a clearing, there sat an old factory surrounded by trees as well.
“How long has this been back here?” I asked.
“Decades.”
Ahmad pulled in with about five other blacked out SUVs and shut off the car. He turned to me with a serious look on his face.
“Now is the time to back out if you need to.”
“No. I’ve done enough running. I’m ready to end this.”
He nodded. Leaning over, he pecked my lips.
“Let’s get to it then.”
He climbed out of the car and rounded the passenger side to let me out. Hand in hand, we walked up the dilapidated building. Out front were two big men, smoking a blunt. When they noticed us, they put it out and greeted Ahmad with a slap of the hand and a bow of the head to me. We stepped inside the dimly lit building.
A coldness ran through me as I followed his lead to a small balcony that overlooked a large open space. I gasped as I looked over the ledge to see Slim bound to a chair with chains surrounded by six men with guns. Off to the side of him was a table with several weapons all laid out and waiting to be used. A chill shivered up my spine. Six years. Six years I’d run from this man and now I was about to come face to face with him.
Ahmad tugged my hand, and we made our way down the steps. The closer I got to Slim, the less recognizable he became. He was covered in sweat, dried blood, and dirt. His hair was matted, and his face was bloody and bruised. His pants were stained with urine, and I could smell it from where I stood. He looked like he could barely keep his eyes open, yet when his head lifted and he saw me, he became very alert.
“You fucking bitch!” He seethed, rattling the chains.
Ahmad walked over and punched him dead in the face. “Watch yo’ motherfucking mouth, nigga.”
Slim turned his head and spit out the blood in his mouth. His eyes found me again and he glared angrily.
“I guess you think you have the upper hand now, huh?” he said, with a menacing grin.
