Jada’s eyes were about to close on themselves, but she pried them apart with her fingers and focused on the road. It had been four hours since Adam was taken. Where could he be? Should she widen her search to the outskirts of Belize City? Should she call the police now?

Jada sent a desperate plea heavenward and scanned the thickets on the roadside, searching for any sign of Adam.

“Where are you, honey?” she cried to the stillness of her car.

In the distance, Jada spotted a man stumbling down the highway.  He was too far away for her headlights to pick him up, but she found the scope of his shoulders familiar. Her heart sped up and she pressed on the gas.

The closer she drew, the more certain she was that the man was Adam. Before her car had fully stopped, Jada threw her door open and catapulted out, racing pell-mell toward him.

“Adam!” she screamed.

He looked up, but she couldn’t see his eyes for the cloth tied around them. In her haste she knocked into him. Ignoring the pungent aroma of garbage and sweat, Jada clasped him close and kissed his face.

Adam groaned and only then did she realize that he was hurt. She quickly undid the bands of his gag and blindfold before helping him out of the hand ties. When she brought her hand to the light, Jada saw blood.

“You’re bleeding,” she said.

“I’m alright,” Adam replied, looking down at her with so much love, she could barely swallow. “I’m alright now that you’re here.” His words slurred and he fell against her shoulder.

“Adam?” she yelled. “Adam!”

Trying to drag his deadweight was near impossible, but by some miracle, Jada managed to get him to the car and drove to the hospital. While the doctors worked on Adam, Jada called Winston.

“Where are you?” he thundered. “Did you find Adam?”

“Yes, he’s at the Medical Center.”

“My dad’s arrived,” Winston said. “We’ll meet you there.”

Jada hung up and called Chelsea to let her know what had happened.

“Should I come down there?” her cousin asked.

“It’s alright. There aren’t any taxis or busses running right now anyway. I’ll keep you posted.”

“Okay.”

Jada ran a hand through her hair and closed her eyes. She was beyond thankful that Adam was alright, but the night had taken its toll and she was tired.

Jada woke when someone pressed her shoulder.

“Hey, wake up,” she heard Winston’s voice.

“I’m up,” she groaned and then her eyes widened. “What did the doctors say about Adam?”

“He’ll get some stitches, but he’ll be fine. Whatever they beat him across the head with didn’t do enough permanent damage.”

“Thank God. How is he?”

“He’s sleeping now.” Winston stepped aside. “Jada, I want to introduce you to… my father. Dad, this is Adam’s girlfriend and the woman who drove up and down the city tonight to find him.”

Jada wiped her face and tried to look alive for the man who had fathered the most important guy in her life. Eldon Lockwood had a neatly trimmed goatee and short, white hair. His green eyes, so much like Adam’s, were shrewd and narrow.

She smiled and offered her hand. “Jada Penner, sir.”

“I know,” he said.

“You-you do? Did Adam tell you about me?”

“I was the one who told Adam about you,” he said with a grin.

“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“I was originally scheduled to attend the Convention Dinner with you.”

Jada’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me?”

At that moment, the doctor ushered them into the hospital room. “Mr. Lockwood is asking for you.”

The three crowded around Adam’s bed.

“How are you feeling, son.”

“Dad!” Adam’s eyes widened and he looked guiltily at Jada.

She folded her arms across her chest and nodded. “He told me.”

“I can explain.”

“Explain what?” Winston asked.

“Is there a reason you didn’t tell me that your father was supposed to be my date that night?” Jada demanded.

“Am I missing something?” Winston asked.

“I didn’t think it was important,” Adam said.

“Not important?” Jada cried.

“Should I give you two a minute?” Eldon Lockwood asked.

“Why is it such a big deal? He didn’t come. I came.”

“Yeah, but the fact that I almost went out with my boyfriend’s dad is creepy.”

“What?” Winston balked.

“I beg your pardon,” Eldon said.

“Ow,” Adam moaned and grabbed for Jada’s hand, “honey, my head hurts. I feel like I’m dying.”

Jada rolled her eyes. “What are we going to do about the people who did this to him?”

Winston shifted uneasily. “About that, bro… I’m really sorry.”

“Yeah.”

“I’ve agreed to send Winston an advance which he will work off in the lower branches of my company.”

“Kill me now,” Winston said.

His father eyed him. “Every penny of his salary will be returned to pay off the loan.”

“Sounds about right,” Adam said. “And maybe in the process, he’ll learn a thing or two about managing a business?”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. I’ll work on you until you accept my legacy. I have a couple more years in me.”

“Alright, Dad.”

Jada stomped her foot. “What about the police? We have to report this and bring Adam to justice.”

“I’m sorry, young lady, but we just can’t do that. Any tidbit about Winston’s escapades goes out to the news and it will reflect badly on our family and largely on the company.”

“You’re kidding me,” Jada said. “We have to do something.”

“Hey,” Adam captured her hand, “it’s okay.”

“No, it’s not.”

“I’m fine. Winston will pay them back. They won’t come after me anymore.”

“But they did. Are we really just going to take that?”

“Young lady, if you are going to be the wife of the heir, you should learn early that we must always make sacrifices for the bottom line.”

“Did he just…?” Jada sputtered.

“Dad,” Adam said, “I think we’ve had enough for one night.”

“Very well. I rushed over here to make sure you weren’t dead. I suppose my goal is accomplished. Winston the jet is waiting at the terminal. Let’s deal with your debtors and return home at once.”

Jada blew out a breath and sank into the chair. A pregnancy and a kidnapping in one day? It was a little much. Rest… that’s what she needed now.

***

Adam was glad to see his father. His family was dysfunctional, but at the end of the day Eldon Lockwood was a man willing to get on his private jet to make sure his son wasn’t dead.

The tattered thread holding their family together was still intact, though it didn’t mean Adam would compromise on his stance with the company.

He glanced over at the woman nodding off in the chair across from his bed. Jada was still dressed in the shorts and T-shirt from earlier. Her hair was as messy as it had been when he’d stopped by and it warmed him to think that she had left the house in a rush for his sake.

Adam didn’t want to think about how much danger she’d put herself in to find him tonight, and simply basked in the knowledge that she was here and that she was safe.

The most terrifying part of the night by far had been the thought that he would never be able to see her again. In the midst of his helpless wandering, he knew he had to keep going. Toward home. Toward her. And he made it.

Adam looked at Jada to his heart’s content until he drifted off to sleep.

When he awoke, the seat where Jada had slept was vacant. Soon after a nurse entered the room and prodded around the back of his head. Thanks to the pain meds, the pressing was only mildly uncomfortable and the woman informed him that the wound would heal nicely.

A few minutes later, Jada entered. She had obviously showered for she wore a clean shirt and jeans. Chelsea walked in beside her. Adam looked at the woman with new eyes, finally noticing the baby bump just beginning to show.

“How are you, ladies?”

“Don’t ‘how are you ladies’ me,” Jada said. “I’m still not over what I found out yesterday.”

“What did you find out yesterday?” Chelsea asked.

“Nothing.”

Adam knew he’d have to do some serious groveling for the omission about his father and eagerly changed the subject. “Chelsea, because of everything yesterday, I didn’t have an opportunity to congratulate you. So… congratulations.”

“Thanks,” she said, shifting uneasily.

Adam was curious about the father and about Chelsea’s future plans regarding the child, but let it slide. Tomorrow’s problems would be there in the morning. “What’s on the agenda today?”

“Chelsea came to take the car,” Jada said. “I’m staying with you.”

“Really?”

“Don’t sound so happy. I’m just sticking around because you scared me and I need to get over it.”

He happily nodded, the prospect of his hospital stay ten times brighter because of Jada. Lifting the sheet, he slapped the bed. “Come on.”

“I’ll leave you two alone,” Chelsea said, turning and disappearing from the room.

“Bye, Chelsea!” Adam called and then looked at his girlfriend with an eyebrow hiked in inquiry. “Please?”

Grumbling loudly, Jada tumbled into the space beside him. He drew her close and closed his eyes, savoring her nearness.

“Are we really letting the people who hurt you go?” she asked, playing with the sleeve of his hospital gown.

“Sh,” Adam said, cradling the back of her head. “They’ll get what they deserve someday.”

“Adam,” she groaned and squirmed. He pressed his lips to her forehead and she quieted immediately.

“Look at us,” Adam murmured, “one has a gunshot wound, the other had his head busted open…”

Jada giggled. “I’m sorry. I know it’s not funny but just thinking about it…” the words died as she laughed harder.

“We’re a couple of thugs ourselves,” Adam said.

“You’re terrible.” Jada softened the words by putting her hand around his waist and nuzzling her nose to his chest. “I’m really glad you’re okay,” she whispered.

“Me too.”

She glanced up and pierced him with a watery gaze. “I’m serious, Adam. If I’d lost you…”

“You didn’t,” he said, tenderly brushing a lock of hair away from her face. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Jada rested her head against his chest again. “By the way… just because I’m here like this doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten about your father.”

Adam winced. “Yes, ma’am.”

“As soon as you’re better, you have some explaining to do.”

At a loss for words, Adam feigned pain. Grabbing the back of his head, he moaned. “It hurts.”

Jada’s intelligent eyes narrowed in on him. “Nice try.”

Adam dropped the act and smiled. “I love you, you know that?”

Jada’s head whipped up. “Are you trying to distract me?”

He stared right back at her, allowing the sincerity of his heart to shine through his eyes. It was true. Adam loved this woman with every breath in his body. It was as natural as walking and talking. She had become his everything.

“I love you.”

Jada scrunched her nose, her gaze mistrustful. “I love you too.”

“Really?”

“Do you think I’d say that to anybody?”

“Your expression wasn’t too loving just now.”

“That’s because I’m not happy with you.”

“How long am I going to have to pay for not telling you about my dad?”

“How long have you been keeping it a secret?”

He groaned. “Woman—”

“Man.”

“I love you,” Adam said simply.

Jada snorted.

“Really?” Adam laughed. “That’s your response?”

“I already said I love you too. What more do you want from me?”

Adam tickled her side, delighting in her laughter. Life with Jada would be anything but boring and he found himself looking forward to every minute of it.

THE END