Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 190

Chapter 190

Lawrence was getting more agitated, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. Every few minutes he went to the small, filthy window and peered nervously through the makeshift curtain he’d hung to hide our hideout. His movements were tense and jittery, like he expected Christian to show up at any second, and not alone.

And I knew he wouldn’t come alone.

I knew my husband well enough to know Christian would never walk into something like this unprepared. He was brilliant, strategic, always three moves ahead in any negotiation. Of course he’d have some elaborate plan to get us out without risking our lives. He’d probably already alerted the police, probably coordinating a rescue while pretending to follow Lawrence’s demands.

The problem was I also knew Christian’s heart.

If he ever had to choose between saving me and catching Lawrence, if there was the slightest chance my life or Matt’s would be endangered, he wouldn’t hesitate. He would protect us first. Even if that meant letting Lawrence slip away. Even if that meant putting himself in harm’s way instead.

I could not let that happen. Lawrence needed to be arrested. This had to end.

Matt was in the stroller beside me, crying with a raw, broken sound. His tiny fists pumped at the air as he squirmed, clearly hungry and terrified. The noise echoed off the metal walls of the warehouse in a way that made the sound feel huge and wrong.

“Lawrence,” I called, trying to keep my voice steady and controlled. “I need to take Matt out of the stroller and breastfeed him. Can you untie me for a minute?”

He stopped pacing and turned to me, annoyed.

“Christian will be here soon,” he snapped. “He can wait.”

“He’s going to keep crying and make a scene,” I insisted, looking at Matt. “Aren’t you worried someone will hear and come by?”

Lawrence hesitated, clearly thinking it over. Matt’s crying was getting louder, more frantic, the kind of sound that carries.

“We’re out in the middle of nowhere,” he said at last, though his voice lacked conviction.

“Maybe,” I replied, pretending to accept it. “But there are always workers around these vineyards, especially this time of year. If anyone passes and hears a baby…”

I left the thought hanging and watched his face as he weighed the possibility. Matt’s cries filled the tense silence between us.

Lawrence sighed dramatically but moved toward me and sat on the wooden chair where he’d tied me with thick ropes.

“All right,” he grumbled, starting to work the knots. “But quick. And don’t try anything stupid. You won’t make it to the door before I catch you,”

“Understood,” I said, keeping my tone submissive as I massaged my wrists when the ropes came loose. My circulation had gone numb, and I needed a few seconds to get feeling back in my hands.

When he finished untying me, I stood carefully and scooped Matt up from the stroller, holding him close. He still whined, but his cries softened as he felt my touch. I noticed the gun Lawrence had pressed to my temple earlier, now lying carelessly on a makeshift table of crates a few feet away.

“Can you turn your back?” I asked, settling Matt into position.

“What?” Lawrence blinked, as if I’d asked something absurd.

“I am not going to expose myself in front of my father-in-law,” I said firmly, trying to sound offended enough to keep some dignity. “Turn around or give me some privacy.”

Lawrence rolled his eyes but complied, turning to face the window and resuming his nervous surveillance through

He stumbled back, releasing me as he tried to wipe the burning from his eyes, cursing through his pain. That was my chance.

I scooped Matt into my arms and bolted for the door, running as fast as I could. The sunlight outside was blinding after the dim warehouse interior, but I didn’t stop. I tore through the open fields, the neat rows of vines stretching endlessly in every direction.

I had no idea where I was going, only that I had to keep moving. Away from the warehouse. Away from Lawrence. Toward safety. The vines gave me some cover as I darted between them, holding Matt tightly against my chest.

He’d stopped crying, but I could feel his tiny heartbeat racing against mine. I held him close, one hand supporting his head, the other securing him to me as I ran.

Then the gunfire started.

The sharp, echoing cracks of gunshots cut through the quiet countryside, freezing my blood. I didn’t dare look back. I just ran harder, lungs burning, legs trembling, the ground uneven beneath my feet.

I dodged branches, tripped over exposed roots, nearly fell more than once, but I didn’t stop. Not until I collided with something solid-someone.

Strong arms caught me before I could hit the ground, steadying both me and Matt.

I looked up, breathless, terrified, and met the eyes I knew better than my own… those blue eyes that had always felt like home.

Christian stood in front of me, his face pale with worry, relief flooding his features the second he saw us safe.

“It’s over,” he said, his voice shaking with emotion as he pulled us close. “It’s over. They’ve got him. He’s under arrest.”