I got the burgers for me and Larry and went home. I noticed I was struggling to walk. It looked like I was drugged or something, but I struggled to the hotel, always watching my back to see if I was being followed.

When I got to Larry’s room, I waved the burgers to him but was so tired that I told him I needed to rest my head and I dived on his bird and slept off.

Well, that was my version of how I got to Larry’s bed in my head before I woke up.

I woke up to see Larry by my side. It was a little cloudy but I could tell he was the one sitting by my side. I couldn't miss his body shape and structure even in the dark.

Hello Larry, what happened?" I asked Larry as the pictures became clearer.

"The rest that you refused to have has caught up with you," Larry said.

"I don't understand, I never told you I wanted to rest," I said.

"Yes, and that's the reason. You fainted, Casie, you need rest, not because of you but because of your baby," Larry said.

I knew I needed rest after all we had been through, but if I rested the Contractor would have killed us all. Larry of all people should know that. The Contractor is a force and whether we like it or not, until he is gone we will be in that heat.

I checked to see if I had bled or was bleeding and there was no sign of that. I asked for water and some painkillers.

Larry only brought water.

I am sorry dear, no painkillers until you see the doctor. So drink the water and rest a little so I can take you to the hospital," Larry said.

I drank the water without hesitation and felt better. It was like I was thirsty, so I asked for more.

My phone rang and Larry withheld it. He said it was a distraction and that I needed rest. I laughed even when I did not know what was funny in what he was doing.

"Come on, Larry, yes I need rest, but I don't think answering my phone will disrupt any rest you wanted me to have," I said, smiling.

"Cassie, for a moment I thought I lost you when you fainted. I practically gave you CPR to get you to this stage," Larry said. This time he was smiling too.

"You did what?" I asked him, like I did not hear it the first time.

"I gave you CPR," Larry said.

"So you are practically saying you missed me right," I asked, trying to look serious.

"Yes Cassie, I gave you the kiss of life to bring you back to life, if that is what you mean," Larry said.

"You must have enjoyed yourself," I said.

"I can see you are strong, so can you dress up so that we can go see Doctor Jake," Larry said.

I got up from the bed slowly and removed my clothes slowly, one after the other, until I was completely naked. I noticed that Larry had turned in the opposite direction to avoid seeing me.

"Larry, what are you doing?" I asked.

"Nothing," he said.

Why are you turning away? You just admitted to kissing me to save me and you have seen this body in all its beauty before," I said.

"It's not the same Cassie, you are pregnant. I want to respect that," Larry said.

"Okay, but I need your help. Because I cannot put on these pants. I need you please, too tired to bend," I said.

As we got to the streets I started feeling dizzy and did not want to let Larry know. We got into the car. Larry noticed I was not walking normally. He carried me and placed me in the car.

My phone rang several times and I asked Larry to let me take my calls, stating that it could be Marvin and that I did not want him to get anxious over anything. Larry said he checked and it was not Marvin.

Doctor Jake's face changed immediately when he saw me. He asked that I be placed on a bed immediately. Quickly, he sprung into action and started checking my vitals and everything. I was shocked that he looked so serious.

Doctor, is there a problem?" I tried muttering the words.

"Relax Cassie, you don't look good and you are dehydrated, which doesn't look good for the baby," he said as he looked at Larry as if to ask him to leave the room.

"It is okay, Doctor Jake, you can tell Larry anything. He is the only one who knows for now" I said, but the words that came didn't look like mine. It looked so unnatural.

"Cassie, you have not been resting, you have lost blood and you are dehydrated. Do you even eat?" The doctor asked me.

My phone rang again and this time it became consistent. Larry, it's either you take that call or you throw away that phone," I said.

Larry excused himself and went outside to take the call. It was tiring to hear my phone ring. Something was truly happening to me.

The doctor started doing some rest while I just lay down unable to move as I had become weaker and eventually blacked out.

I woke up, this time feeling refreshed. I saw Doctor Jake and Larry by my bedside. Larry was holding my hand. I looked at him and said,

“It's okay, I am better now," I said.

Cassie, you need to rest and I need to run some tests. You will be okay in a day or two, but please note that you are two now. So put that in mind anytime you want to starve yourself," Doctor Jake said, smiling.

"Who was calling Larry?" I asked.

"A lot of people want to know where you are and if you are okay," Larry said. Il

I got the play. He did not want to discuss business in front of the doctor, so I had to beg Doctor Jake to give me some time with Larry so that I could sort out a few things.

"It's okay Cassie, I will come back in a few hours to check on you again. If you need anything else, press the green button by the side of your bed", Doctor Jake said, pointing to the green button.

After the Doctor left, Larry turned towards me and I knew immediately there was a lot on my plate to deal with.

"Larry, I am listening. Who called? Don't worry, I am fine now," I said.

The Senate President, Marvin, June, Shantel, and Sancho called," Larry said.

"Did you speak to any of them?"

“Yes, I spoke to them and let them know that you were resting and could not answer your calls, but the Seantor…” he was still speaking when I said.

“The Senate President, right? What does he want? What did he say?’ I asked.

“He made a contract, Cassie. He wants us to look for a missing Senator,” Larry said.

“Who is missing?” I asked.

It looked like the phone call Larry received got through him. His voice tinged with concern and worry and looked like it demanded attention as he relayed the startling news from the political arena.

"Sena—Senator Alby has been kidnapped," Larry stuttered, his normally composed demeanor shaken by the gravity of the revelation.

I leaned forward, the weight of his words settling like an ominous cloud. "Kidnapped? How? When? Are you certain he is sure of what he is saying?" I asked.

Larry took a deep breath before continuing, "Just a couple of hours ago. His entire entourage was ambushed, and his aides were killed. The kidnappers that did this, are demanding a ransom, and the police are already involved with the Senator’s family already secured by the police."

A chill crept down my spine. Kidnapping a senator wasn't just a criminal act; it was a political statement, a bold move that sent shockwaves through the corridors of power. I did not believe the ransom story, I felt someone was making a bold statement and the kidnappings were getting too many. Or could it be the Contractor again?

"Why would the family involve the police, if the kidnappers got in touch with the family and if they're after money?" I questioned, a sense of unease settling over me.

Larry, ever the bearer of grim news, revealed more. "The kidnappers want it public. They have informed the police and issued a statement to make their claim known. It's a high-profile abduction, Cassie." Larry said.

The implications hung in the air – a senator kidnapped, his aides murdered, and a clandestine demand for ransom. The chessboard of politics took a dark turn, and we found ourselves unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game. I could even figure it out.

"The senator wants to talk to you," Larry added, his eyes reflecting a mix of concern and anticipation.

"Why me?" I asked, bewildered by the senator's request. "I am not speaking to him, not now, I cannot even think straight, Larry," I said.

"Do you want me to tell him that?" Larry asked.

"No, of course you know I did not say that," I replied. I was now smiling but I was not enjoying this in any way or form.

Larry shrugged, his expression mirroring my confusion. "He knows about your reputation, Cassie. Maybe he believes you can handle this discreetly, without drawing unnecessary attention," Larry said, looking at me like someone that is confused. I knew he was torn in between decisions.

Larry, I am ill and I am in need of a very good rest. How do you expect me to pull that off? Why did they have to involve the police in all this? Why did they not contact me immediately that he was missing? If the perpetrators wanted the police to know, then they were looking for a diversion," I said.

Like I said, you are the expert," Larry said.