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“Mom, I promise I’ll be home for Sunday dinner. You know I’ve never missed one!”
That was the code.
Lucy needed out. Now.
Her voice crackled over the speaker phone in the roll call room. Angela quickly picked it up, her face stricken with worry. Everyone else in the room immediately stood, making their way to their squad cars. Only Nyla and Tim held back. “Alright, well make sure to call me before you leave.” We’re on our way to you now.
“I will. Is Dad making his famous cheesecake?” All three of their eyes widened. I don’t know how much time I have.
“Of course,” Angela waved the two of them on, following as they ran to the cars. Taking the phone off speaker, she held it to her ear.
“Then I will definitely see you on Sunday then.” A crash could be heard over the phone. “Hey Mom, I gotta go. I love you.” He’s on his way in.
The line went dead.
She hopped into the backseat of the squad car, staring at her empty phone screen. “Hit it,”
~*~
“Sorry about that buddy.” She smiled at the young boy, noticing the fear in his face as footsteps approached the door. “I think we can get back to social studies now.”
Joshua shook his head. “We can’t. He’s angry.”
Her heart dropped to her stomach. The door to the left swung open, revealing Monica and the man, fury clouding his face. “That’s her. That’s the officer.” Monica held the door open, a smug look painting her face.
“What’s going on?” Lucy refused. She refused to go down this way, not because of Monica of all people. “Don’t play coy, Officer Chen. Did you really think you could fool Christian Batista of all people?”
The flattery was unbecoming of her, out of character really. “What are you talking about? My name isn’t Chen, it’s Mill. Amira Mills- you have me confused.”
“Are you lying to me, Amira? In front of my son?” The man spoke with such force, Lucy almost flinched. She protectively placed a hand on Joshua’s shoulder, slowly putting her body in between his and the intruders.
“No, of course not!” She added a breathy laugh at the end, laying it off as a joke. “I- I might have a cousin with that last name, but I don't know what she does! We haven’t spoken in years.”
“Shut up!” He shouted, this time causing Joshua to leap out of his chair, running to hide behind Lucy’s leg. “Shut. Up!” He advanced on the two of them, the woman trying to shuffle them out of the way but failing. He grabbed her by her shirt, throwing her to the side.
Act defenseless. They’re on their way.
She slammed into the wall, knowing that was going to leave a large bruise. “Mr. Batista, please I promise you I’m not lying! I-I’m just a nanny-“
“Let’s go. Where’s your sister?” He grabbed his son by the wrist, pulling him out of the room.
“Wait!” Lucy started to run after them, only for a bodyguard to appear out of the corner and block her. “Joshua! Get your hands off me-“
“LAPD!” Air returned to her lungs. “Let me see your hands!”
Her whole family loaded into the room, grabbing the bodyguard and Monica against the wall. It was over.
The kids.
She couldn’t just leave them, not with who their father was.
The sound of an engine starting and more yelling filled the room. “You’re with me.” She felt Angela grab at her shoulder pulling her towards through the house and towards their open car. Tim was already in the driver's seat, ready to go.
She hopped into the back, immediately noticing the bulletproof vest that was left for her. Thank God.
The car revved forward before she could even finish putting it on, chasing the pickup truck that held the two children inside.