The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 553

Stella glanced at Haynes without betraying any emotion, then lowered her gaze.

She climbed into the vehicle without another word.

Benson had brought around an oversized SUV, its cavernous trunk stacked high with nineteen suitcases.

As Stella was about to start the engine, Joshua-who had been silent until now- finally spoke up.

"Ms. Cameron."

She looked over at him.

Joshua offered her a gentle smile. "Take care."

Stella nodded, her hesitation gone. She started the car.

Haynes, Foreman, and Joshua stood in place, watching as she drove away. In the rearview mirror, their figures shrank smaller and smaller until they vanished from sight.

Stella's hand slipped into her pocket, brushing against something cold. Her pupils flinched.

A pistol.

She steadied her nerves and focused on the road ahead.

About twenty minutes later, Stella reached a secluded spot on the outskirts of town. An abandoned warehouse loomed before her, surrounded by dense brush and tangled undergrowth-a place perfect for hiding, but a nightmare for anyone hoping to stage a rescue.

Whoever chose this place for a handoff was clever-maybe too clever.

parked, her

people will

glanced at the suitcases in the back. "Fine.

kidnapper didn't hesitate. "Head inside the warehouse. Someone will bring

in her pocket again, feeling

"All right."

out and made her way

would be tailing her,

some discreet device

warehouse door, she noticed it

open, the hinges groaning under

Inside, a

the hall. They'd clearly been expecting her

of burly men

she

guards simply stepped aside,

guard by how cooperative they were. Was it a trap? Her instincts prickled with

entered the room, her doubts faded-Rachel and

for

Keen spotted her,

"Mom!"

his side and, with the small knife she always carried, sliced through the

threw himself into her

rubbed his back, her voice soft and

shook his head. "No.