She stared up into the mans eyes, tears forming in her own. After a long pause, she dipped her head. I will. As soon as she knew how she could retain custody when the father of her child could buy half of Houston with the amount of money he had.
Fair enough. Dr. Adams opened the door and stepped out into Ysabels small living area decorated in bold shades of red, yellow and orange. Shes fine, Jackson. Nothing a good nights sleep wont cure.
But why was she throwing up?
Hard to say without blood tests, probably food poisoning, but it appears as if the worst has passed.
Dont you think we should take her to the hospital and run those blood tests? Jackson stared over Dr. Adamss shoulder to where Ysabel stood in the doorway.
Butterflies turned somersaults in Ysabels stomach. I told you it was nothing. We dont need to waste any more of the doctors time or burden the hospital with nothing but a little bit of food poisoning. Go home, Mr. Champion. Like the doctor said, I could use a little rest.
Jacksons forehead furrowed. Im staying.
If you stay, Im sure to get no rest at all. As soon as the words came out of her mouth, Ysabel realized how they could be misinterpreted and her face heated. Just leave. Ill be at work bright and early in the morning.
Take the day off. I can survive without you for a day. He plunked his cowboy hat on his head. I dont like leaving you.
Madre de Dios! You dont live here and I havent invited you to stay. So get out. She softened her words with a twisted smile.
The doctor nodded. Leave the girl alone and go home, Jackson. Shell be fine.
His steps dragging, Jackson allowed the doctor to escort him out of Ysabels apartment. Not until the door was closed behind them and their footsteps faded down the hallway, did Ysabel let out the breath shed been holding.
If shed known that was what it would be like to see Jackson again, shed have asked him to stay away longer. Too tired to think, she stripped, took a quick shower and fell into her bed.
As her eyes closed, she thought of all that had happened in the past three hours.
Shed learned she was pregnant, tendered her resignation, Jackson had nearly been killed and theyd almost been run off the road by a homicidal maniac.
Yup, that pretty much summed up the day. She yawned, wondering what was in store for the next morning. Reaching down, she pulled the sheet up over her head as though that would keep the chaos away.
FLINT? Its Jackson. We need to meet.
Dr. Adams had given him a ride back to the building he owned in downtown Houston where he had the penthouse condo on the twenty-fifth floor. He preferred the wide-open spaces of his ranch west of Houston, but his business necessitated a residence in the city.
Standing at the floor-to-ceiling window in nothing but his boxer shorts, he pressed the cell phone to his ear.
Do you know what time it is? Flint McKade grumbled into his ear.
Two in the morning. I know its late and Im sorry to wake you, but Ive got some serious problems. Im going to need the help of the Aggie Four. His hand tightened as it hit him in a fresh wave of anger and sorrow that the Aggie Four was down to three now. Viktors loss hit him harder when he needed the full support of the friends hed grown to love and respect. He missed Viktor.
As much as he missed his dead friend, he needed the support of the ones still living. If he didnt find out who planted the detonators in that container, hed not only be up on charges of murder for the death of the forklift driver, but hed also be the prime suspect in the possible plot to commit an act of terrorism against the United States.
Whats the problem? Want me to come now? Flints voice perked up, all sleepiness vanishing.
No, thats not necessary. Contact Akeem and let him know were having an emergency meeting tomorrow at your ranch at noon.
Will do. Flint paused. You know were with you, buddy, whatever the problem. Hang in there. Theres nothing we cant overcome. That had been their mantra throughout school at Texas A&M. The mantra had followed them through the years of building their empires.
Jacksons throat tightened. He hoped they could overcome this mess, which right now seemed insurmountable.
FROM the rented apartment on the twenty-third floor, a man stood in darkness, staring through his binoculars at the building two blocks away. Things were going according to plan. The Department of Homeland Security would be heating up and all indications should point to the three remaining members of the Aggie Four.
Jackson Champion stood silhouetted against the window of his condo, unashamed of his nakedness and unaware he was being watched at that very moment. He appeared to be talking on his cell phone. Probably talking to one of his cronies about the accident at the terminal.
The hit and run on the interstate wasnt part of the plan, but he chalked it up to an added bonus. Jackson ought to be feeling the squeeze by now. If not, he would be soon.