Chapter 18 - THE LAST GAME OF TYLER REED|
My parents had been contacted by Tyler and Moretti.
That was the first thing Isabella told us.
They had been promised that if they convinced me to leave Giovanni, my financial problems would be solved. Tyler had told them he could arrange a better job for me and help pay Lily's school expenses.
In exchange, they were supposed to tell him where I was staying.
I felt as though someone had opened a door beneath my feet.
"Did they agree?" I asked.
Isabella hesitated.
"I don't know."
I called my mother.
She answered after three rings.
"Jessica, sweetheart. Are you all right?"
"Did Tyler ask you where I'm staying?"
Silence.
"Mom?"
"He said he was worried."
"Did you give him the address?"
She began crying.
"We didn't know what he was planning."
"Did you give it to him?"
My father took the phone.
"Jessica, don't speak to your mother that way."
I closed my eyes.
"Just answer the question."
"We gave him the address of the country house," he said. "He told us he wanted to make sure Lily was safe."
I felt sick.
"That house was compromised because of you."
"We were trying to help."
"By giving my daughter's location to the man who has been threatening us?"
My mother began sobbing.
"Tyler said Giovanni was dangerous. He said you were being manipulated."
I looked at Giovanni.
He was listening, his face expressionless.
"Mom, you don't get to decide which danger is acceptable for my child."
I ended the call.
Giovanni stepped closer.
"We'll move your family somewhere safe."
"They aren't my family right now."
He didn't argue.
Marco arrived with an update.
Tyler had withdrawn a large amount of money from his business account. He had also purchased a one-way ticket to Miami under a different name.
"He's running," Marco said.
Giovanni shook his head.
"No. He's preparing."
A second report came in.
Tyler had requested copies of Lily's birth certificate and school enrollment documents. He had also contacted a private investigator who specialized in custody disputes.
"He wants to take her," I whispered.
Giovanni looked at Marco.
"Find out where he is."
Within an hour, we learned that Tyler had gone to Vanessa's house. He was packing a suitcase.
I called Sophia.
She answered immediately.
"Jess?"
"Is Tyler home?"
"No. He left an hour ago. Vanessa is crying."
"Can you get to her?"
"Why?"
"Because I think Tyler is planning to disappear with money and documents. He may try to use Lily to force me to cooperate."
Sophia went quiet.
"He's not going to hurt a child."
"You don't know what he's capable of."
She agreed to speak with Vanessa.
Meanwhile, Giovanni arranged for a lawyer to prepare emergency custody protections and an official report documenting the threats against Lily.
I insisted on speaking with the attorney myself.
"I want every step done legally," I said. "I don't want Giovanni's people deciding what happens to my daughter."
The attorney nodded.
"That's exactly what we'll do."
That evening, Vanessa called.
Her voice was shaking.
"Jessica, I found something."
"What?"
"Tyler has been keeping a second phone. I found messages from Moretti. They're planning to meet tonight."
"Where?"
"The old freight terminal by the river."
I looked at Giovanni.
He had heard every word.
"Tell Vanessa to stay inside," he said.
Then he turned to Marco.
"Prepare the team."
I grabbed his arm.
"You're not going there without me."
"Jessica—"
"Tyler has my daughter's records. I want to hear what he has to say, and I want him to know I am not afraid of him."
Giovanni studied me.
"This could be dangerous."
"I know."
He nodded slowly.
"Then you stay behind the security line. No exceptions."
I agreed.
We reached the terminal just before midnight.
The building was dark except for one office light.
May you like
Through the glass, I saw Tyler standing beside Moretti.
And on the table between them was a folder with Lily's name written across it.
