McKenzie made her way to the bathroom, her mind focused on the future. When Yellows returned with Jasmine, things would be different.
She was already thinking ahead, she wanted to prepare a nice meal for the both of them, a small celebration for the start of their new life.
She trusted Yellows, trusted that he would do what he'd promised. He hadn't let her down before, and she didn't believe he would start now.
Once Jasmine was free, Alejandro would go from a predator to a prey. She wanted to talk to Yellows about it, wanted to be there when Alejandro went down.
She needed to witness the end of the man who had kept her from the life she could've had with Yellows, the man who had tortured her for five years, the man who had killed her mother.
But deep down, she knew Yellows would never agree to it. He wouldn't want her involved, not in the way she wanted to be. He would try to protect her, to keep her away from the bloodshed.
But, she couldn't help the dark thrill that surged through her at the thought of Yellows putting a bullet through the middle of Alejandro's forehead.
"Game on you fucking bastard. Game on."
After emerging from the bathroom, McKenzie quickly scribbled a list of the items she needed. Unable to leave the bunker, she called on one of Yellows' men, promising them their own portions as a trade.
She prepared chicken Alfredo, garlic bread, and a Caesar salad. For dessert, she got ice cream and whipped cream. With a subtle grin, she decided to leave it up to Yellows to choose how he'd want dessert served, one her or in a bowl.
Three hours later Yellows hadn't returned and she couldn't help but feel a bit worried. For the past hour, she had stepped out of the bunkers every fifteen minutes to ask Blaze if they had any word on Jasmine or Yellows, but the answer had been the same.
Negative.
But, would they tell her if something had gone wrong?
They answered to Yellows, not her.
In the bedroom, she flicked through the channels on the television, hoping for any insight, anything that might show if something had gone wrong or, if there was a live feed of the other hostages being killed. At least that would mean they refused to negotiate with Yellows. But, there was nothing.
Eddie!
Why hadn't she thought of him before? If anyone knows anything, it's him.
Yellows had brought McKenzie's laptop from her room, and it was sitting on his desk. She grabbed it, made her way back to the bed, and quickly shot a message to Eddie.
Hey Eddie,
Do you know what's happening with Yellows' rescue mission?
Kitten,
I do.
Her breath hitched.
Eddie,
Then, why didn't you contact me? You should have known I'd be worried.
Kitten,
I was following orders. And you not seeing the chaos unfolding was better.
Eddie
What chaos?
Silence.
Her mind was spinning.
Eddie
Fuck! That's my daughter! What are you talking about?
Kitten,
I've blocked the channels at the bunker. What you've been watching is a loop of past events.
Her eyes widened. It means things didn't go as planned. McKenzie's chest tightened. She needed to keep her cool. She needed answers.
Eddie,
What happened?
Kitten,
The feds didn't take the bait and as promised the live feed happened.
Shit!
Eddie,
So, where is Yellows and Jasmine?
Kitten
We lost contact with Yellows before he could get to the safe house. Before it exploded. I'm sending you the feed that happened about two hours ago.
McKenzie realized that Eddie hadn't told her anything about Jasmine, but was sending her a video. Was Jasmine dead?
No.
Eddie wouldn't be so cruel to send her a video of her dead daughter, would he?
Her pulse quickened.
McKenzie, now is not the time to panic. Yellows and Jasmine need you now more than ever. Logic over emotion.
Just then, McKenzie received a notification from Eddie and clicked the link. The screen displayed Jasmine in a room in the arms of a man, he was talking to a woman sitting in a chair.
The video had no audio.
Eventually, the woman got up, and they both left the room, Jasmine still cradled in the man's arms. The camera angle shifted, now showing them walking down the hallway.
Suddenly, shards of glass sprayed around them as they passed a window. They tumbled to the ground as dust and debris filled the hallway.
McKenzie held her breath.
When the dust cleared, she let out a blood-curdling scream when she saw a large shard of glass wedged into the man's chest, and the woman lay lifeless on the floor. Jasmine lay there, crying, one of her legs twisted awkwardly.
When McKenzie thought it couldn't get any worse, it did.
Men in black tactical gear, complete with masks, appeared on the screen, breaking down doors and shooting into rooms. One of them picked up Jasmine just as the camera cut off.
"No! No!" McKenzie screamed.
McKenzie. Don't lose it! Think! Think!
First, Yellows, now Jasmine. This had Alejandro's stench all over it. He had robbed her of her happiness once, and there was no way in hell she'd let it happen again.
She'd go to Blaze, make it clear that she knew everything, and together, whether Yellows' men liked it or not, they would come up with a plan to get Jasmine and Yellows out of Alejandro's grasp. And then she'd put a bullet through that fucker's head herself.
But, just as she reached the door, another notification popped up on her laptop. She thought it was from Eddie, but when she glanced at it, it was an email from an unknown sender.
Maybe, it was from Yellows.
Hoping for the best, she opened it. A picture of a happy Jasmine, wearing a new outfit, with a few scratches on her face and arms and a leg in a cast, was accompanied by a message.
McKenzie,
I have your daughter. If you want her back, come alone to the abandoned warehouse at Baldwin Park, 9:00 p.m. No cops. No tricks.
She froze. This couldn't be Alejandro or any of Yellows' men, they'd always called her "Kitten." So if Alejandro wasn't responsible...who the hell was? Was this the feds and another twisted game?
She needed to know where that email came from so she sent Eddie another message.
Eddie,
Can you trace the last email that came onto my laptop?
Kitten,
Give me a minute.
A few minutes later, Eddie responded.
Kitten,
I can't get a trace. But, Kitten are you going to go?
Eddie!
Fuck! I have no choice! If there's a chance they have Jazzy I have to.
Kitten,
You can't go alone! I'm sure it's a trap!
Eddie!
What other choice do I have? Yellows is missing. And my daughter needs me!
Kitten,
And nothing I say will make you reconsider?
Eddie,
No.
Kitten,
Okay. I've got an idea.