Leon's Pov:
"Meet me at the office, now." I got into the car and drove way beyond the speed limit. If Ava was right about what she was saying, then she wasn't going to be the only one in danger.
Noah turned his chair around at the sound of the doors opening.
"Want to tell me why you ruined my spa day?"
"He's back, Noah."
"I'm sorry, who's back?"
I gave him a straight face.
"No, you couldn't possibly mean…"
"Yes Noah. I mean exactly who you think I mean."
"Huh? I don't understand. Where did you even find him?"
I poured myself a glass of wine. "Oh brother" I drank it whole. "He found us."
"He's here? Like in this town?" Noah sounded confused, rather than frightened.
"Yes, he's in town Noah, he fucking kidnapped Ava."
His mouth was wide open now. "Why would he do that?"
"To send a message. He showed up at the hospital where she was in too. Ava can't find out who he is."
"Are you trying to get us killed?!" his tone heightened with each word. "We try to save that girl and we're all dead."
"Do you really think he's here for her? He's here for us Noah! We're already dead."
We stayed quiet for a while. For the first time, alcohol tasted like death. I couldn't bear to drink, eat or do anything. I was too uncomfortable.
"What are we going to do…. Leon." His voice was suddenly low but very clear.
"If I knew we wouldn't be here. I can't go back to that life and you know it."
"Yes but we can't keep running from it. We have to leave it in the past and we can't do that until he is completely gone."
I didn't look up at him. His words were faint next to my thoughts.
"We have to figure something out or he'll hurt Ava," he continued.
I immediately raised my head up. I didn't know why but that sentence struck a nerve in me.
"He wouldn't dare."
Noah sighed. "You know he will." Then, he stood up and walked out.
I thought of a million things that could go wrong. Ava had worked with me for barely a week and he somehow already figured it out.
I picked up the phone and called Marvin. "I'm on my way to the house. Make sure everyone is lined up before I get there."
I hung up before he could get a word out.
The drive home was silent but loud. I couldn't hear cars honking, I couldn't hear the wind as my car sped up. All I could hear was my thoughts screaming at me, telling me that danger was closer than it had ever been.
When I got home, I slammed the door so hard everybody practically jumped. I didn't care that they were scared. One of them had to have given an outsider information about my new staff member, Ava.
"I'm going to be as clear as possible." I said, dropping my coat on the couch. "No one is allowed to speak even a word about Ava. In fact, do not speak to her unless she speaks to you first."
"Yes Mr Presscot." They all replied.
"I'm not going to conclude that one of you already said something but just know there is a very thin line of trust between me and all of you. If I hear Ava's name linking to any of you, you will not only lose your job but I'll make sure you never work in this city again. Am I clear?"
"Yes Mr Presscot."
I stormed off to my home office. Naturally, I'd feel bad about the scared looks on their faces but I couldn't afford to care. It had to be done.
A few minutes later, my phone was buzzing with multiple texts. When I finally picked it up, I saw it was from Ava.
"I'm not safe, Leon. Please come quick."
My eyes widened with fear. I did not pick my coat up, I didn't tighten my tie that I loosened in the car. I ran to the car and drove like my life depended on it.
What was meant to be a twenty minute drive turned into five. I ran across the halls to Ava's ward.
I flung the door open, preparing my mind for the worst but all I saw was food all over the bed. She was eating, peacefully.
"Is this some kind of joke Ava?!" I yelled at the top of my voice.
"Why the hell are you yelling?" She looked at me like I was crazy.
"Why am I yelling? Why did you text me saying you weren't safe?"
"What?" she dropped her spoon. "Leon, I lost my phone. That guy probably took it."
"What?"
A new notification popped up. I looked at it with a blank expression.
"See how easy it is to get to you?"
My face remained the same, but my chest thumped like never before.
Then another came in.
"You know what to do, Leon. Don't disappoint me."