**Authors Note
Hey, guys, I hope everyone is doing well! I just wanted to ask you guys if you could please leave a vote and comment on my chapters if you enjoyed reading them, it lets me know you guys actually like the chapter. It's hard knowing that I spend my time writing chapters and publishing them for you all to read and they go unnoticed by most. Not only does voting and commenting help me out, but it also motivates me to write more for you guys. So if you can please comment your thoughts and leave a vote after reading I will greatly appreciate that. Thank you I hope you can see where I'm coming from.

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Happy reading!

08 Daredevil

The next morning I woke up before Xavier and walked into our closet and picked out our outfits for tonight's event. I settled on some dark-washed jeans, a black cami top paired with a tan cardigan, and some flats. I'll give Alejandra some credit she has good taste in clothes.

A nice outfit that is comfy and easy to run in. I chose a bag that Alejandra probably picked out that could fit a couple of things and took note that I needed to get a couple of snacks and anything I could get my hands on. For Xavier, I picked out a navy blue sweater and gray pants paired with some slip-on shoes. I also slipped in a short-sleeved shirt for myself and him and another sweater, some underwear, and some socks for us.

I didn't know what we might be facing after tonight but I was willing to continue fighting until we were safe. New York was not meant for us anything in this state was a danger to us and we both needed out.

❦

Hours later it was time to start heading back into the city I made sure to write down important phone numbers I might need and left my phone behind and grabbed Xavier's favorite teddy bear and a few small toys that could fit in my bag and off we went but most importantly I took all the proof I had of Alejandra's secret relationship, not knowing if the plan I had in mind was going to work this was my plan B. Juan sat beside me as he typed away on his phone and Anthony on the other side as Xavier sat on my lap in the black SUV. Juan was dressed in a navy shirt and some black slacks paired with some black leather shoes and he wore a manly scented cologne that was doing something to me. I knew James, Juan's other little pet, was in the car with Alejandra following us close behind, whatever I planned on doing I must do quickly.

❦

Another 30 minutes passed he started to near my familiar territory as we parked at the new restaurant and lounge area. A welcome banner was placed right underneath the restaurant's name, Olé Olé Olé. Outside stood two chalkboards one saying, La Familia Restaurante (family restaurant) and the other one saying "Uno, Dos, Tequila (one, two) both written in pretty colorful handwriting.

We all got out of the car and I grabbed Xavier and started to quickly walk over to the door only to be stopped by a harsh grip on my arm. "Not so fast conejito you are to be stuck to my hip tonight. I don't want no funny business." Juan whispered into my ear. He then turned his attention to Xavier "You need to be on your best behavior Xavier, if not you are going to time out for a very very long time." he said roughly glaring at him. Xavier held me tighter and whispered in my ear "Mami I don't like him" "It's ok Xavi" I whispered back and glared at Juan and he returned the glare. James and Anthony walked in front of us and Alejandra and Juan stood beside me as we entered.

We were met with loud music and the aroma of food. The interior decor was filled with bright colors that welcomed you in. To the far right, I saw Ellis and Mike both rocking wide smiles on their faces. Mike was in his early fifties and Ellis was in her mid-forties. They had met each other while she was working at the school and he went in to pick up his niece. And after constant flirting between the two she finally grew the courage to ask him out for a couple of drinks and they have been hooked on each other ever since. She was a feisty Latina who loved being surrounded by kids since she was not able to have her own and Mike is what you will a gringo, a non-Hispanic American. He fell in love head over heels for her and accepted her extreme love for Mexican food hens the opening of their restaurant, yet she did not leave her Ecuadorian roots behind. She was fascinated with both cultures and combined them.

Because there were so many people already here celebrating the opening I knew there would've been a chance we were going to be able to try something and leave. I pushed through and walked hurriedly to the couple and when they saw us Ellis ran to hug us "I'm so glad you made it hija (daughter) you look beautiful. Mira aquí (look here) who is the handsome looking fella" she said tickling Xavier. He let out a loud laugh "This looks amazing" I told them both and gave a hug to Mike "You both deserve this, you guys worked very hard" I said smiling genuinely at the two.

I felt the presence of the monster behind me and knew I couldn't say just yet "Ahh you must be the mysterious boy. Ah, Camila, I see you have good taste and you too young man Camila is one of a kind woman. There are not so many of us lying around so make sure not to let her get away. She deserves nothing less than the best." She said pointedly. I felt Juan put his arm around my shoulders and pull me close to his body "Es un placer conocerté I'm Juan (it's a pleasure meeting you). I'll be sure not to let her get away" he said squeezing my shoulder. "You two make a fine couple, don't they Mike? They have such unique beautiful faces and will make beautiful babies." She gushed. "Amor (lover) don't scare the boy. They just got together" Mike said laughing pulling her close to him and kissing her on the forehead "But I agree they make a cute couple and will make cute babies. Camila, Xavier, and Juan enjoy the night, and don't forget to eat up. No drinking or driving, please. We will see you in a bit and with that, they were off. I knew I needed to sneak off to the kitchen where everyone's personal belongings would be steal someone's phone and keys and get the hell out of here.

❦

An hour in a half had gone by when Ellis pulled me away from Juan and his crew and wanted to give me a tour before letting me go Juan reached for Xavier and I pulled back and held him closer to me "I'll hold on to my son," I said harshly and he gave me a death glare and I followed Ellis close behind. She gave me a tour of the lounge area, then proceeded to walk me back to the kitchen, and the door on the far right was labeled as the locker room, the place I needed to be.

I grabbed one of the prepared wines and accidentally spilled it on me when Ellis wasn't looking at me "dammit, I'm so sorry Ellis do you think I can change my shirt in the locker room" "Ah mi hija yes yes go change" I smiled gratefully at her and hurried to locker room "Xavier honey close your eyes and don't open them until I tell you to do so ok" I told him. "Ok mami" and after he closed and covered his eyes and proceeded to go through each locker and grabbed two phones and all the dollar bills I could find as well as two different car keys. "Ok Xavi let go" I picked him up and opened the door quietly to see Ellis talking to Juan through the kitchen doors knowing every restaurant had a door in the back I proceeded to walk to it and got to the parking lot and unlocked the black sedan and buckled Xavi in and started the car and proceeded to pull out.

As I made a right on the street I looked back and noticed Alejandra and Anthony outside talking to each other meaning they had not noticed Xavi and I were missing. I quickly left and headed to my old job to get the money I had left behind. Gratefully Xavier did not ask questions and ate the snack I had packed for him. I quickly got out of the car with Xavier and headed to the kitchen and as I quickly got in I quickly got out no one seemed to notice me with a child. I also made sure to stop at one of the other lockers and grabbed keys to another car, because I knew by now they would've noticed which car was probably missing and with that, and were both off.

Before getting on the highway I stopped at McDonald's and grabbed us food which made Xavier. "Xavi we are going on a very long trip ok? We are going to see your tips (uncles) soon, I'm sure they have been dying to meet you." I told him looking through the rearview mirror. "I can't wait to see tio Jose and Luis, I think I saw them in the pictures you have in your closet back at home," he said smiling up at me "You went through my pictures Xavi?" I asked him "I'm sorry I heard you crying one day and I saw you looking at some pictures and when you were cleaning I snuck in and saw them," he said looking down playing with his toys and munching on his chicken nuggets. I nodded my head and turned up the radio.

❦

I drove for several hours until I came across the train station knowing well they would be catching up to us, I needed to get rid of this car. I turned off the car opened the tin can collected my money stuffed it into my bag and proceeded to get out of the car and pick up Xavier who had fallen asleep. I hurriedly entered the train station and walked to the first teller I saw who greeted me with a smile. "Hi, ill like to purchase two tickets to Los Angeles California on the next available train," I told the teller through the window. "Sure thing that will be $193.78" I shifted Xavier in my arms pulled out some cash and passed it over to me, which he counted again and nodded his head. He then placed the two printed tickets and my change and told me the directions to go.

It was 12:15 a.m. and the train was arriving in five minutes, we were really getting out of there. The train pulled up and I walked in quickly and got in making sure to sit on the other side so, I wasn't at the window to see others walking past. The doors remained open until there was an announcement and then they shut. As I looked up I saw Juan, Alejandra, and Anthony running to the train. They were here, but it was too late for them, the train had slowly begun to move. I nodded my head at Juan and looked to Alejandra and Anthony who looked defeated.

And just like that, we were gone. We were leaving the city that held no good memories behind. We were going to a state I'd never visited to see my brothers who I've not seen in years. The only thing I prayed for was our safety and I hoped my brothers welcomed us with open arms.

**AUTHORS NOTE

And you reached the end of the eighth chapter of my book. They finally got away! What did you think about that? I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter!

On a heavier subject, I want to send my condolences to everyone who was affected by the recent tragic events that have taken place these past few days and months. I am saddened at the number of lives lost, something has to be done, this isn't ok. Innocent people's lives are being taken, they are robbed of their lives because of one individual's actions. Action must be taken and consequences for those at fault have to be taken. People need to start opening their eyes and see what the real problem is and do something about it. I pray every day and hope that one day this world we live in will be safe for now and for future generations to come. We should not live in fear.

For those who were or might be affected by Hurricane Dorian stay safe, be prepared, and remember to protect your pets too! If your family decides to leave DO NOT leave your pets behind take them with you or find a proper shelter for them where they will be taken care of.

That being said I'll see you soon, Take care and be safe

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Until next time,

Xoxo