"Jazzy?" McKenzie looked around the bedroom, but Jasmine's crib was empty.
Frantically, she hurried to check the rest of the apartment hoping to see Jasmine's smiling face walking towards her with her usual gibberish utterances but she was nowhere to be found.
Suddenly, something caught the corner of her eye and her heart lurched as a scream stuck in her throat. The front door was slightly ajar. What if he took her?
McKenzie moved swiftly to the front door and yanked it open. That's when she saw him. Alejandro running towards a black panel van with Jasmine in his hands.
"Jazzy!" McKenzie shrieked as her eyes shot open and jolted upright.
Her legs felt like jello as she struggled to her feet. Luckily, someone caught her just before she tumbled to the ground, and pulled her into him.
"Where am I? Where's Jazzy? Jazzy!" Her breathing quickened.
"Zee," Dwayne's voice was soothing. "We're at the hospital."
"Where's Jasmine?! Where is she?!" she shrieked as she tried to wrench away from Dwayne's grip. She didn't care about where they were, she wanted to know where her daughter was.
Dwayne held her tight around her waist and reassured her, "Jasmine's ok. She's sleeping right over there."
He turned her slightly and pointed across the room. Following his finger, she was able to focus long enough to see Jasmine sleeping peacefully in the crib.
Suddenly, the memories flooded back, the phone call at work informing her about Jasmine being in the hospital and Dwayne driving her there.
"Oh, Jazzy!"
McKenzie broke free from Dwayne and scooped Jasmine in her arms.
"We have to leave! Where's my bag?!"
"McKenzie," Dwayne responded firmly but gently, "You can't leave. Jasmine still needs medical attention and quite frankly I think you do too."
But, McKenzie knew that her dream was an omen of things to come, neither of them was safe, not after what she saw last night.
"Dwayne, please, help me get Jasmine out of here. Create a distraction or something," McKenzie rattled on, ignoring him.
Approaching her, he gently removed Jasmine from her grasp and placed her in the crib.
"McKenzie, do you want Jasmine to have another seizure?" He cupped her face in his hands.
Her heart hammered wildly as her chest tightened, making it hard for her to breathe.
"No, but..."
"Good, then she stays." Dwayne looked at her strangely before he continued, "Why the sudden urge to leave? What's going on Zee?"
McKenzie knew she couldn't tell Dwayne the truth about why she wanted to, no...needed to, leave the hospital.
Desperate to manage her anxiety, she spotted her handbag on the table. She hurried over, rifling through it until her fingers found the familiar bottle of pills and a small bottle of water.
With trembling hands, she popped two pills into her mouth and swallowed them quickly with some water. As she shoved the bottles back into her bag and closed her eyes, she could feel Dwayne's eyes on her.
"I'm worried about you, Zee. You collapsed and scared the shit outta me, and now this. Please, talk to me. What's going on?"
Without a word, McKenzie moved to sit next to Jasmine's crib, sensations of lightheadedness overwhelming her. Her skin was sticky and the warmth of her breath from her nose added to her discomfort. She couldn't afford to be sick; time wasn't on her side.
"I'm fine," she mumbled.
He stooped in front of her, balancing on the balls of his feet, his hands on her hips, forcing her to look at him.
Dwayne's voice was stern as he spoke. "Dammit, McKenzie Lillian Tanner! You are not fine! You passed out in front of me a few minutes ago! Now, you're shaking like a leaf and rambling about creating distractions to leave the hospital!" He inhaled deeply, his eyes searching hers as he continued, "This..." He gestured at her, "You…are far from fine. Tell me what's going on so I can help you. Please."
She swallowed hard and clenched her jaw as tears misted her eyes. She cared too much about Dwayne to put him in harm's way. Even if he did break her heart.
She had to pull herself together. Falling apart was not an option, especially not in front of Dwayne.
"I can't."
McKenzie stood up forcing him to move away from her as she paced the room.
"Why not?" Dwayne asked as he rose to his feet.
"Dwayne, please! I can't, ok? I just can't!"
Dwayne grabbed her arm, gently forcing her to stop. He placed his hands on her arms and squeezed gently. But, she couldn't meet his eyes.
"You can't or you won't? Zee, you're freaked out about something. I want to help."
"You can't help me," McKenzie said softly.
"Why not? Zee, whatever it is, we can get through it together."
She looked up at him. "Dwayne, this is not high school. You can't fix everything."
"But, for you. I can try, Zee. Talk to me."
Tears were rolling down her cheeks before she could stop them.
"The last person who helped me was my mother and…now she's…she's dead. Ma is dead because of me!" McKenzie's voice broke as a sob tore through her throat.
"What?"
McKenzie could see it on his face that he was trying to come to terms with what she just said. But, she was right, if her mother hadn't helped her escape from Alejandro, she would still be alive today.
Another sob broke free and Dwayne pulled her into his chest as she cried. At some point, they sank to the floor but his arms stayed around her, as he nestled her between his thighs. She cried until no more tears came and his shirt was soaked.
"I'm so sorry," McKenzie sniffled, lifting her head from Dwayne's chest. She wiped away the last of her tears from her eyes, using the back of her hand to wipe her nose.
"Zee, there's nothing to be sorry about." Dwayne trailed the outline of her jaw.
"I need you to promise me something." McKenzie wrung her hands nervously.
Dwayne placed his hand over hers. "Anything."
"Promise me that if anything happens to me you'll look after Jasmine," she whispered.
"Nothing will happen to you or Jasmine."
She stared at him intently. "No, I need you to promise me."
"Ok, I promise."
Suddenly, a loud crash from outside echoed through the room causing McKenzie to scream. Dwayne swore under his breath as he pulled her close and rocked her in his arms.
"Zee, you're safe. I won't let anything happen to you."
After a few minutes, Dwayne unravelled her from his arms. She allowed him to lead her to the bed where they both sat.
"At some point, you'll have to tell me what's going on, who I have to protect Jasmine from, and the story behind your mother's death. But for now, please, rest. I'm here, you're safe. I'll look after Jazzy."
Even if she wanted to rest, her mind wouldn't let her. She needed to find another place to stay. A safe place to go till she had enough money saved to leave the country and never return. And, she knew exactly who could provide that for her.
Abruptly, McKenzie stood up. "I need to use the bathroom."
Clutching her handbag, she entered the bathroom quickly before Dwayne could question her.
Once inside, she retrieved her phone. Despite having escaped her previous lifestyle, there were still individuals she could call upon for favours. She didn't want to drag anyone into her mess, but this was a critical situation, and she needed a huge favour.
Her fingers trembled as she dialled Yellows' number. Without him, she and her mother would've never returned to L.A. together. Heck, she wouldn't have survived any of the hell Alejandro had put her through if it hadn't been for him. He'd been looking out for her since day one.
"Yellows on the line," a raspy voice growled from the other end of the call.
"Hey, Yellows it's me...Kitten." Her voice barely rose above a whisper.
His voice softened, but remained firm. "Kitten, what's wrong? What do you need?"
"I need a place to lie low for a couple of weeks. I think Alejandro found me."
"He did," Yellows confirmed without hesitation. "But, my boys have been keeping him at bay."
"Wait, you knew?" Her voice rose instinctively, but she quickly lowered it, glancing nervously at the door. She didn't want Dwayne questioning her about what he heard when she exited the bathroom.
"I've had my boys keeping tabs on you and Jasmine since that fucker murdered your mother. The only reason I haven't come to get you myself is because I'm on a business trip."
If Alejandro knew where she was he'd walk through the fires of hell to drag her back with him, including killing Yellows' men who were keeping tabs on her.
"How's Jazzy holding up?"
McKenzie rolled her eyes but a smile tugged at her lips, despite the stress she was under. Of course, he knew where she was.
"She's feeling better," she lied, then quickly changed the subject. "Can we meet tonight after she's discharged? I don't feel safe."
"In that case, business can wait. I'm coming to get you myself, from the hospital," he stated.
"Yellows, it's too risky. If Alejandro sees you…" she sighed as her voice trailed off. "I'll meet you. I don't want you getting into trouble with your boss."
There was a pause on the other end before Yellows responded, "Meet me at Santa Monica Pier, Route One, by 9:00 p.m. I'll make sure you're safe, Kitten. You don't need to worry about Alejandro. My boys are around and they'll protect you, until I get to you.
Guilt clawed at McKenzie. She knew the risk Yellows was taking for her.
Just then there was a knock on the door followed by Dwayne's voice. "Are you ok in there?"
"I'm fine. I'll be out in a minute," she called out.
"Ok."
McKenzie placed her ear on the door and she heard Dwayne walk away.
"Yellows, thanks. I appreciate it."
"Anything for you, Kitten."
McKenzie hung up and checked the time on her phone. It was 2:00 p.m. She still had a few hours. She needed a plan to get Jasmine out of the hospital without getting caught by Dwayne.
As she exited the bathroom, he gave her a suspicious look.
"Are you ok?"
"I'm fine now." She flashed him a weak smile.
"Who were you talking to?"
"I wasn't talking to anyone, I was watching a video on my phone." She added quickly, "Do you mind getting me a coffee, please?"
McKenzie placed her handbag on the table and sat once again in front of the crib. She needed to stop Dwayne from asking so many damn questions. She needed time to think.
"Sure, I can bring you one. Are you sure you'll be ok alone?" He lifted an eyebrow.
"I'll be fine."
Dwayne didn't look convinced but he walked out of the room nonetheless.
McKenzie placed her head in her hands. She knew she couldn't ask Yellows to ask one of his men to create a distraction. Because, like Dwayne, he'd encourage her to stay at the hospital until Jasmine was better.
But, neither of them knew what it was like to be tormented. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. She needed to get to the pier tonight, even if she had to bribe a nurse or security guard to do so.
A few minutes later, Dwayne returned and handed her the cup of coffee.
"Thanks," McKenzie sighed, then brought the dark, hot beverage to her lips.
Dwayne leaned against the wall thoughtfully. "Since you have to spend the night. Do you need anything? A change of clothing, something to eat?"
"I'm ok."
McKenzie was way too embarrassed to say that the last time she ate anything was yesterday morning.
"And what about Jasmine? Besides, formula and diapers. What else does she need?"
Then it dawned on her. This was the perfect opportunity to escape, with Dwayne out of the hospital.
McKenzie cleared her throat, "She needs a few bottles, grape juice, a bottle cleaner, bottled water and fruits like bananas and animal crackers."
Dwayne pulled out his phone and made a note.
"I'll be back in a bit. Keep your phone close in case I need to call you for anything. Also, I've already spoken to the security guard. He'll check in on you, ok?"
"Thanks."
"No problem." Dwayne flashed her a dimpled smile that made her heart flutter. "I'll see you in a bit."
"Bye, Dwayne," McKenzie muttered inaudibly as Dwayne walked out of the room.
If things went according to plan she knew that would probably be the last time she'd see him. And, her heart couldn't stop itself from breaking into a million pieces for him…once again.