31st January- Cadiz, Spain
Leon’s house
Elena’s POV
“What is it?” I asked knowingly as I leant against the door frame. He had wandered off after his phone had rang and I knew the news wasn’t good.
“Lotty’s on her way here now. We have to be ready to leave by the time she gets here. We’re going to the island.” He admitted quietly.
“What happened?” I asked as I moved further into the room.
“Hobbs has a lead. He’s heading here from the states tonight.”
“Then we need to move. If Hobbs is on the move that quick then something big has happened. We need to get out of here.” I spoke firmly before rushing out to break the news to Rosa.
The older woman only looked up at me knowingly from her seat on the couch. I sighed as I sank into the seat next to her. We had just built a life here and it was being ripped from underneath us. I could officially say I understood what all the team went through since leaving the states.
“It was only a matter of time. I’m surprised we have managed this long off the radar.”
“I guess that’s true, I just had the hope of things lasting longer then this.”
“We can’t waste time, we need to start packing.” She spoke gently as Leon walked into the room. Leon and I shared a sad look before nodding.
31st January- Cadiz, Spain
Lotty’s POV
I pounded on Leon’s door hoping they had taken Letty’s advice and were ready and waiting for me. It was late afternoon and we needed to catch the ferry across the Islands before they finished for the day.
“Hey.” Leon greeted quietly as he opened the door for me to walk through. I nodded in response, stepping through the door before coming to a stop. There were five bags sitting at the entry way and I breathed a sigh of relief.
“We’re ready to go, Rosa’s just getting Nico ready. He’s been napping.”
“That’s fine. Once you’re on the ferry I’ll be going to dump the cars. We can’t have them near the terminal. It will just lead him straight to you.” I spoke and he nodded along with everything I said.
“You aren’t coming then?”
“I will be but I need to tie up all loose ends here first. The house for instance it needs to be cleared out and sold. You’ll never be able to come back here.” I looked right at him when I said it, letting him know just how serious this situation was.
“We figured. All personal items and stuff like that are with us.” I nodded in relief. It would make my job slightly easier.
“Hello Lotty.” I turned in the direction of the greeting, finding Elena, Rosa and her son standing there ready to leave.
“Hey, are you all ready?” They nodded, Rosa heading out to the car to settle Nico in while Elena, Leon and I took care of the bags.
“I’m always used to travelling light, guess when you have a kid things change.” Elena puffed as she sat the heavy bag down on the ground near the boot. Leon and I shared a smile. We were used to this. Travelling with Ava hadn’t always been easy.
“You could say that.” Leon smirked as he lifted the bag, placing it in before shutting the trunk.
“Ready?” He spoke softly to Elena. I had to look away as I watched him wrap an arm around her waist. I was happy for him, and Letty too, but the softer side of me was hurting that I hadn’t found that yet.
“Let’s go Lot, I wanna see my girl before she goes to sleep for the night.” He spoke with a gentle smile. I nodded, a smile drifting onto my own face. I was aching to see Ava but now wasn’t a good time, Hobbs had to be my main priority.
“Just promise to give her a kiss for me.” I replied as we got into the car.
“You know I will. She misses her aunty.”
“I miss her too.” I spoke softly before I started up the car. Tonight was going to be long and draining.
Cadiz Boat Terminal- Cadiz, Spain
“I’ll contact you and Letty tonight if anything comes up.” I promised Leon as Elena and Rosa left to board the boat.
“I know you will. I want you to promise me something.” He spoke firmly and I rolled my eyes, waiting for his demand.
“Stay safe, please. The first sign of trouble you get out of here and head to us.” I turned my head to look out at the water. It was a fair enough ask but when I was travelling alone I was never one to run from danger.
“Charlotte promise me.” I sighed before looking back up to Leon.
“I’ll try. That’s all I can promise.” I spoke softly and he sighed, hanging his head.
“I guess that’s all I expected from you.” I smirked and looked at him squarely.
“What can I say danger excites me.” I shrugged smirking.
“Yeah god help the poor guy that falls in love with you.”
“You better go Leon.” I spoke as I nodded to Elena who was waiting anxiously for Leon to board.
“Stay safe.” He spoke before pulling me into a hug. Stunned it took me a second or two before I responded.
“You too. Now go, I have work to do.” He nodded and turned, jogging onto the boat. When he reached Elena he placed his arms around her, pulling her close as he whispered something to her. I let a small smile creep onto my face before the boat started to move. I watched the boat, lifting my hand only to wave once as it sailed off. Once I deemed it at a safe distance for nothing to stop it I turned and rushed to the car.
I had pulled a few favours with a couple of contacts here in Spain. By now the house should almost be cleared out and swept clean of all fingerprints or DNA. I was counting on this contact to come through. I had my doubts when I first rang him but he assured me his team was the best and it would be done right. I had no choice but to trust him.
Getting into the car I started the engine, barely taking the time to check the road before I slammed it into drive. I sped towards the house, my contact had a guy lined up to clean this car before taking it off my hands. The house on the other hand was slightly harder to sell at this time of day. We had bought this house to begin with because it isolated, no neighbours and a nice view of the coast.
Slamming the car to a stop I stepped out and looked around. The place was almost deserted save for one car. I nodded at a young guy, about mid-twenties, the guy next to him I didn’t know but I nodded to him as well as I walked towards them.
“Is this the car?” The other guy asked and I nodded, handing over the keys.
“It needs to be spotless understood?”
“Don’t worry I got it.” He assured as he left to deal with the car.
“Charlotte, long time no see.” I smiled slightly as I took in Alec. He hadn’t changed much since I had last dealt with him.
“Alec. Everything done?”
“Your lack of faith astounds me. Everything’s been wiped clean, no one’s gunna find anything in there.” I nodded as I adjusted my small bag on my back.
“Where are you headed now?” He asked.
“Off the mainland.”
“There’s a boat terminal about a ten minute drive from here, I can take you to it.” I acted surprised at the news. I hadn’t let him know I had just been there I didn’t want him to know anything more then he needed to,
“Thanks but I was thinking about heading in a bit first. If that didn’t work then I was going to go to one of the islands.” I lied smoothly.
“Fair enough well thank you for the business.”
“Anytime.” I responded as I handed over an envelope with the promised cash amount. I watched amused as he checked it, making sure everything was there. When he was satisfied with the amount he reached into his jacket, pulling out an envelope of his own before he handed it over. I didn’t even bother to check the amount, I was running out of time and these guys needed to be gone.
“You’re not gunna count it?” He asked surprised.
“I trust you. Besides if I find out you have ripped me off later I know where to find you, and believe me you won’t want me to find you.” I threatened. He gulped nervously as he shifted backwards slightly.
“No the moneys all there.” He choked out and I nodded once,
“Cars all done.” I turned to look at the other guy and I nodded.
“Nice doing business with you.” I spoke to them both before they headed to their cars. I watched as they both left before I started walking. I needed to get back to the airbase before Hobbs landed.