Vanished in Chicago (Vanished)

“No one. We can’t fucking trust anyone. This wouldn’t have happened if they would have been doing their job. I should have killed them both when her teacher attacked her. I won’t make that fucking mistake again.” I open up the glove box and retrieve the three guns on the inside. One of them is my weapon of choice. An Ed brown 1911 Signature edition. It's the gun I picture Al Capone carrying on him. The second is Zef’s gun. It is the first one I gave him when he turned eighteen. An agency arms urban combat G19 gold plated and finally my go to, a Dan Wesson Elite Havoc Series with a sniper scope on the top. It gets 24 rounds and sometimes, you want to play.

We pull up a block over, not wanting our car to be heard on the gravel driveway and I hand him his weapon so he can get ready. “Listen to me, you don’t have to go in with me. You can sit out here and be the lookout. I won’t hold it against you, but I am going in and getting my woman.” He gives me his annoyed face before he disengages his safety.

“Shut the fuck up dumb ass and tell me the plan.”

“I am going in through the back to provide a distraction and look for the maggot meat who took her. You go in through the front and get her out, Zef. I don’t care about anything else. Get her out. Do you understand?” He hesitates, and I get it. He knows what I am telling him, and he doesn’t like it, but I don’t give a fuck. She is the priority. If she doesn’t make it out, neither does anyone else.

SEVENTEEN

CHIARA

What the hell is happening to my life? Kidnapped…again and by boring Paul no less. I mean you can’t make this shit up. You are probably wondering how the hell this happened to me again.

Today was the day I had to meet with the Dean to discuss the incident with my professor. Jak asked me if I wanted him to come with me, but I didn’t think it was a good idea especially since I am pretty sure he is buried somewhere in the backyard.

I was so nervous about this meeting because you hear stories of how no one believes the student and if you look a certain way, you are seducing him. So, I didn’t expect good things. But I was surprised. She believed me and apparently when word of what happened circulated, a bunch of other students and a female teacher came forward about his behavior.

They were a bit perplexed about where he disappeared to, assuming he is on the run. It took a lot to fix my features so I wouldn’t give anything away. The end result of the meeting is that my tuition for the rest of the summer is covered plus a check for pain and suffering. Of course, I had to sign a nondisclosure agreement.

Once the meeting was over, I decided to register for my last class of the summer. It didn’t occur to me that Al and Morris were not an annoying distance behind me when I went to the registrar's office, but when I came out and didn’t see them, something seemed off.

I pulled out my phone and called theirs, but they didn’t answer, and I really didn't want to call Jak. He would have just blown it out of proportion. I was about to order an Uber when Paul came by. “Hey Chiara. Is everything alright?”

“Yeah. Everything is fine. Just ordering an Uber.”

“What happened to the scary dudes usually glued to your back?” he asks it with a chuckle like he is making a joke, but I can hear the annoyance in his voice, but once again I ignore my instincts.

“I have no clue. But I am sure they have a reason.”

“I can give you a ride if you like. I mean I am here. My car is just right out the door.” I stop and think about it, knowing Jak would be pissed but is it my fault his bodyguards ditched me? My gut begins to turn and instead of seeing it for what it is, I chalk it up to the fact that I have barely eaten today on account of being too nervous.

“Sure, okay. Thanks.” Following him to his car, I find myself rubbing my necklace, wondering if he tracks my every move, all day?

“In you go.” When I look up, I am shocked to find he has a McLaren Elva special edition. Well, it seems there is more to Paul than I knew. He starts up his car and I have to admit I love the hum of the engine as it rumbles under my legs. “I have been wanting to call you and check on you, but I figured the growly dude would not like that.” He once again disguises it as a joke.