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 phone

out now. Leave the keys in the ignition. My people will check

at the suitcases in the back. "Fine.

hesitate. "Head inside the warehouse.

the pistol in her

"All right."

out and made her

Haynes' team would be tailing her, likely

some discreet device hidden in

the warehouse door, she

hinges

Inside, a

closed door down the hall. They'd clearly

of burly

she

simply stepped aside, allowing

caught off guard by how cooperative they were.

as soon as she entered the room, her doubts faded-Rachel and Keen were

for

moment Keen spotted her, his

"Mom!"

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

threw himself into her

rubbed his back, her voice soft and soothing. "Keen,

head. "No. They