Billionaire's Regret
Chapter 20:

"Annie can we talk,"

"I want to talk with you too. Let's talk in my study." Annie led him towards her private space. She stood aside allowing him to enter. He quickly scanned the intriguing space clearly impress. "I take it this was also you very specific design just like outside."

"I like to practice what I wrote. The thought occur to me that why should everything just be fictional. My son is still at that age that he could enjoy it."

"I have notice how agile he could be. Tell me; do you mainly write for children?"

"That's the only genre I am currently interested in. Can we talk about something else first." She went and sit behind her desk fiddling with her hands. "Sure," Aaron sits down across from her.

"Why do you trust me?" she asked pointedly. "What do you really remembers about me?"

"In truth I am not sure. I get the sense you know me. I just can't seem to connect the dots." He suddenly stood and starts circling the space. "I think I might be a danger to you." "What give you that idea?"

"I watch the news. There seem to be a search out for me. The fact that I disappeared unseen from the hospital is a great concern. The local idiots are talking about a ransom."

"Really," Annie stood to look for the television remote. "What didn't you contact the police? You certainly have easy access to any phone."

"You know that I have looked at that doctor and that man claiming to be my manager; I don't trust either of them."

"What makes me different?" Annie crosses her arms over her chest.

"Just an instinct that I am following,"

"Okay. The night I called for help when I found you unconscious in your office. They claimed that I attack you." "Nonsense but I think we shouldn't stay here." Aaron comes towards her now standing in her personal space.

"What do you suggest?" she asked softly.

"Would you and your son leave with me?"

Zac very carefully closed the Hotel room door. He looked at the barely controlled fury simmering from the woman. He briefly smiles. "Blowing your gasket won't give you the desired effect baby." "What did you replace out from that buffoon that calls himself law enforcement?"

"The whole town closed down the moment we accused Annie Black."

"What the hell is so special about that woman?" Grace was having hot flashes of anger. "At first I thought Aaron helped her to spite me. Now the bitch is interfering in my life."

"Didn't Aaron dump you?" Zac asked with a smile.

"I am not finished with him. What did you replace out about that bitch Annie?"

"You are not going to like this."

"Don't test me Zac."

"She is a writer. She is looking after her mother. The father was in jailed. That's the general information. Each time I wanted to delve deeper into her past the door simply closed. I think Annie Black is hiding a huge secret." "I want to know what that is. Do you know where the father is now?"

"Just outside of town he isn't welcome here."

"I want to meet him Zac."

Aaron slipped into his mansion on the other side of town. He made sure no one recognized him. The moment he closed the door he looked into the weathered face man who just stood in front of him.

"How the hell did you get in here?" Aaron instantly moved towards the drawer closest to the entrance. He quickly removed and load the pistol. "You better start talking and fast."

"I am not here to harm you. I am here to warn you."

"Who the hell are you?"

"My name is Thom Black."

"What do you want?"

"I am Annie's father."

"I figured as much. But that doesn't explain why you are in my home."

"I tried to talk to Annie earlier but she refuses to listen. I can't approach Hanna again. The last time I nearly cost her life. This is important though."

"This explanation better be good. I have the right to shoot you for breaking into my place." Aaron warns seriously.

"I won't stay long but I needed to tell someone to warn Annie. But if you have the means, why don't you take her out of the country." Thom handed him his wallet and the missing cell phone. "Where did you get those?"

"I stole it from doctor Grace Stevens."

"What,"

"That woman and the man with her, they are very curious about you."

Aaron put the gun into his pocket and walked towards his office. The moment he entered quick flashes of memory enters his mind. Everything is jumbled together. He can't seem to make sense of it all. "My memory is fuzzy."

"I need to talk." Thom insists.

"What is it?" Aaron rubs across his eyes.

"Annie is in dangerous. It's my fault."

"My past coming back to bite me and it didn't matter that I paid my debt in prison. That man has developed an obsession with her. You don't have much time if you care about her."

Aaron was startled when the phone rings in his hand. He looked down to see who it might be. It was an unknown caller.

"Hello,"

"You took something that's mine. You better stay where you are. If either you or that fool with you react now there will be blood flowing." The line went dead in the same moment that Aaron and Thom both smell smoke. "We need to get out of here. The place is about to burn." Aaron moved towards the kitchen. He slipped into the small room. The door was stuck but he managed to get it opened. "Follow me."

"Mom," Annie silently slipped into her bedroom. "Are you ready?"

"I am. How sure are you?"

"Very, dad tried to warn me. It would seem he was right. James is waiting for you in the kitchen."

"What about you and Leo?"

"We are meeting Aaron at the jetty. The plan is to leave the country."

Annie hugs her mother watching her leave. Since she live according to the motto that safety is an illusion, she didn't bother to lock her home. She just took hold of her son's hand and slipped out the hidden passage. At first glance nothing seems disturb.

Aaron holds her hand and Leo was against his chest as they quickly walked towards the waiting helicopter. The moment they were settled inside the fast approaching vehicles was heeding their way. The pilot took of making them disappear. The flying bullets ineffective.