Finding Her - Saving Them

Chapter 6

Back home, Alexandra gives Matthew a snack and lets him pick out something to watch. He chose Paw Patrol, of course. Then she fed Elijah and laid him down for a nap. After that, she started pacing. Movement helped her think, but there was only so much space in their apartment. Why did those men look familiar? Why did that one man look just like her? Were they dangerous? She didn't feel unsafe, but she also knew some people are masters at playing innocent. Tense and uncomfortable with the unknowns, she pulls out her phone to call her best friend Kai. 

She met him years ago after helping him fix his bike in a small alley. Someone had messed with it while he was in a meeting next door. At first, he was angry at her, but then he saw she was a bit bruised and sincerely curious, so he let her stay, chat, and watch. An unlikely friendship formed after that.

"Hey, there! It's been a minute! How are you? How are the boys?" Alexandra couldn't help but smile at the friendly and authentic words from Kai. "Good. Well, sort of good." Kai let out a concerned growl. "Is anyone bothering you?" "Well, Matthew got into a fight at school. We just got back from the hospital with a cast on his broken arm." Alexandra wasn't surprised at the chuckle that came from Kai. "Well, I hope they were worse off." "Kai! Violence isn't the answer." But she couldn't help but chuckle as well. She knew Kai would know she was proud of Matthew for sticking up for himself. Plus, Alexandra would fight anyone who threatened the boys. In that case, violence was the answer.

"Well, if that is ok, what is behind the 'sort of good'?" Alexandra hesitated for a moment. There were some men in the hospital. They looked familiar. They looked like me! One of them could even be passed off as my twin." There was a brief pause, and Kai spoke up, "Did they threaten you? Did they hurt you?" Alexandra smiled at the protective tone in Kai's voice. She expected it and knew he would help her feel better and come up with a solution. "No, no threats really, well not until I threatened one of them." Kai chuckled before she continued. "Actually, the one who looked like me seemed genuinely interested in making sure I was alright. And another even bought Matthew a gift from the gift shop!"

"Hmm, do you know their names?" Alexandra heard Kai typing on the other side. "One of them said his name was Leonardo, and they were there because their brother Giovanni was shot." The typing stopped. "Leonardo and Giovanni? Shot? Of fucking course. Of course, you would find your way to them." Kai gave a helpless chuckle. Alexandra furrowed her brows. "What? What do you mean?" Kai answered in a surprisingly soft voice, "Alexandra, I think...I think they are the Italian mafia." Alexandra let out a gasp before Kai continued. "Giovanni and Leonardo are two of the brothers. There are six altogether, and they had a sister who was kidnapped years ago. I heard they were in the States for work." "Shit, shit, shit. Are they after me?" Alexandra heard some more typing, "Hmm, I don't see any connection to the groups that have been sent to find you and them and their work in the states. It must be a coincidence." "Kai, you know how I feel about coincidences...there is no such thing." "What can I do?" Alexandra let out a deep breath before responding. "Just being you. Thank you, Kai. If you find anything else, can you let me know?" "Absolutely. And, I am here for you. If you need to crash here, find a safe house, or need back up, call me." Alexandra smiled at this offer. Kai really was a good friend. He taught her self-defense and how to shoot. She still remembers how proud he was when he gave her a gun; he was like a happy father. "Thank you, Kai. I don't know what I would do without you." "Shoot yourself in the foot, probably." They both chuckled before they hung up. Alexandra could breathe a little easier now. Maybe it was a coincidence?

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It was almost midnight. Alexandra was bouncing Elijah around because his sleep schedule was messed up. Matthew was sleeping and snoring on the bed in the corner. She slept on the couch; she knew Matthew needed consistent, personal space to sleep. Plus, she didn't mind; she was just glad the couch had cushions. It was comfier than anything she grew up with.

Alexandra froze, and her back straightened when she heard quiet footsteps in front of her apartment door. She could tell they were trying to be careful, but when they stopped in front of her door, she was immediately concerned. She walked over, put a few items in a backpack, grabbed Matthew, and started to climb out the window. Just then, the door opened slowly.

Alexandra saw a man kneeling in front of the door, obviously having just picked the lock. The men all froze at the sight of Alexandra leaving out the window. Alexandra slowly put Matthew down and pushed him behind her. "Baby, close your eyes and keep your hands on me. Trust me." Unfortunately, Matthew was used to this. Alexandra quickly grabbed her gun from her small of the back holster and pointed it at the tallest one. He seemed to be the one in charge. They stared at each other. Alexandra couldn't believe they hadn't pulled out guns yet. The third man slowly moved his hand through the doorway and flicked the light on. Alexandra let out a small gasp. It was three of the men from the hospital!