After the conversation they had, none of them said anything to each other until the next morning.
Annie woke to Andy speaking on the phone. She rubbed the remnants of sleep from her eyes and her mouth stretched into a jaw-cracking yawn. Twirling her neck, she heard the satisfying crick. God. That pillow was uncomfortable. Nothing like Andy's chest.
Where the hell did that thought came from?
Shaking her head at her wayward thoughts, she placed her feet on the floor, only to jerk it up in a flash.
"Jeeze! That's cold," she blurted out.
"One hundred million dollars."
Forgetting about the cold floor, Annie wondered who Andy was telling about the money.
Maybe it's Gregg. But he knew about that. Who else could it be? Come on, Annie girl! Stop guessing.
"Mama?"
Reon's sweet baby voice jerked her head to him as he crawled towards her.
"Good morning little man," she cooed.
His eyes brightened and he smiled at her. She tickled under his chin and he giggled.
"Yes, I know." She heard Andy saying.
Breaking her focus from her son, she listened to the back-and-forth conversation he had going on. He said something so quiet, she barely heard what it was. Glancing back at her son, she saw him staring intently at his little toes.
Smiling, Annie got out of the bed, wincing when her feet landed on the chilly floor. She was almost to the door when she heard him saying: "They said I have two days and I..." He paused.
Now curious. Annie walked back towards the bed and lifted Reon into her arms. He kicked his legs and grabbed her hair, wrenching it towards his face.
"Ow, that hurts," she cried untangling his fingers from her hair. "No, honey, you can't eat that."
His little brows furrowed as if to ask why. She laughed softly. "Why are looking at me like that, sweetheart?"
He tapped her cheek and his face rearranged into a toothy smile. She kissed his fingers. "Let's go see daddy."
As she neared, she heard more of the conversation.
"So you think I should give them the money?"
What the hell? Who was Andy talking to?
She quickened her steps to get to the living room.
"No, money isn't the problem but-what if when I give them the money and they keep coming back for more?" Andy asked.
Annie couldn't figure out who he was speaking to at that moment her mind was trying to process the whole thing. It could not be Gregg. He advised them not to pay the money. Then it registered: Andy would pay all that money for her and their son. To keep them safe.
"I'll do anything to protect Annie and my son."
Her eyes filled with tears. Oh, how she loved him. Loved him so much.
She walked into the room. Andy didn't notice her, he was pacing with one hand running through his inky black hair.
In her heart, she always knew he was a good man. He was trying his best to get them out of this mess. She knew he was getting frustrated, and so was she. Annie felt helpless in the whole situation.
"I didn't know you were awake," Andy said, interrupting her from her thoughts.
"Y-yeah." She forced a smile. Ignoring the way her heart sped up. Deep brown eyes studied her.
When did he come off the phone?
"Sleep well?"
Annie opened her mouth to answer but their son chose that moment to make his input.
"Baaaaah," he smiled at his father.
Andy smiled. "I guess that meant dada."
Annie's heart gave a wild dip. "Probably," she shrugged.
Andy sighed before sitting on the couch. "That was Kyle on the phone."
I should have known it was him all along. Annie thought bitterly.
"Oh." She frowned. "What did he want?"
She had a feeling she knew the answer to that. She placed him on the floor and took a seat in the chair opposite Andy.
"Yeah, he wanted me to give the people the money and get over with it."
Humph
"But Andy shouldn't we call Gregg first before we make any rash decisions?" she asked him.
"I know, Annie but-but didn't you notice, the two days are almost up and I haven't received a call, text or anything! This is driving me crazy. The waiting. The worrying. All of it!"
Annie slumped her shoulders. "I still think we should-"
"I... I can't let anything happen to you or Reon. I won't allow it. I feel useless. I want to find those bastards," he growled.
She didn't know what to say.
"I love you, Annie! And I'm sure as hell will let nothing or anyone snatched my son away from me!"
Her eyes widened. He loved her. Annie felt heart filled with so much happiness it almost burst from her chest.
"I'm... I'm sorry, Annie. I'm just worked up and frustrated." He let his head fall into his hands. His shoulder shook.
Was he crying?
With a quick glance to check on Reon, she moved closer to him until she knelt at his thighs. She ran her hand up his arms. "Andy?"
He raised his head, spread his long fingers and looked through them at her. Sad eyes met her's and her throat clogged up.
"I feel so helpless, Annie. I don't know what to do. I ran out of all ideas. I don't know whether to go to the police. Pay the money or go out there and... and..."
She pulled him into her arms and his head fell into the crook of her shoulder. His warmth washed over her and she welcomed it. He released a shuddering breath that shook both of them. She squeezed him tight, then whispered into his ears.
"I don't know how we will get through this, but we will, and both of us have to stay strong for our son, he's just a baby. We can't fall apart. I know you can protect us, I trust you, Andy."
He held onto her; his strong arm wrapped around her like a vise. Reon brushed against her, his little arm brushing her face. Annie twisted her head in time to see Reon tapping his father's arm.
"Baah," he called.
Andy pulled away and looked at their son. "Yes, baby?"
"Mama." He pointed at her and she nipped at his finger.
Reon burst into a fit of giggles and his little legs lost balance.
Andy chuckled. And slid to the floor to play with him.
Annie watched her heart and soul with love brimming in her eyes. Her thoughts were a minefield, if she stumbled over any of them, instantly it would blow her composure to bits. But that would not hinder her determination, she would stay strong for both Reon and Andy, even if it kills her.
The ringing of Andy's phone sliced through her thoughts.
This time she hoped Gregg had a lead on who was behind this.
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