Hastily, McKenzie scanned the restaurant then made her way to the empty booth to the back.
"Hello there, hunni. Can I take your order?" A beautiful, older woman with blonde hair approached in a waitress uniform, and greeted her with a warm smile.
McKenzie faked a smile. "I'll have two number four combos please."
"Sure thing hunni." The lady whose name tag read Donnie, flashed her another smile before she headed to the back of the counter.
McKenzie had no idea what the number four combo was, but she needed to get rid of the waitress. Digging into the bag, she found the phone. She needed someone to help them get to safety. She quickly searched for her father's number, praying he had saved it.
He hadn't. Shit!
Thoughts of calling Dwayne ran through her mind. But, would he answer after the way Yellows treated him? She had to give it a try.
With trembling fingers, she desperately dialled Dwayne's number. The disheartening buzz of a busy tone taunted her, amplifying the dread that crept into her every pore.
Was Richard on a call with Dwayne? Had he already poisoned Dwayne's perception of her?
Just then Donnie approached her with a cordless phone.
"There's a guy on the line for you. His name is Eddie. He says it's urgent."
"Thank you."
Donnie handed McKenzie the phone and half expected her to stand there and listen to her conversation. But, Donnie went around chatting with the other customers.
Tears welled in McKenzie's eyes and her voice cracked as she spoke, "Eddie, how did you get this number?"
"I tapped into the security cameras from the warehouse to the burger joint. Are you ok?"
"Things aren't ok. Richard is a traitor."
McKenzie heard Eddie swear under his breath. "I'll get back to you in fifteen minutes. Stay low and keep calm."
The line went dead before McKenzie was able to respond. Just then, she caught a glimpse of Richard outside the glass window. Instinctively, she dropped under the table with Jasmine in her arms.
From below the table, McKenzie watched as two legs approached and stopped.
"An ex?" Donnie's voice was heard above the table just loud enough for her to hear.
McKenzie peeked out at her and nodded. Donnie shot her a sympathetic smile.
"Don't worry honey, I've been there. Hang tight. I'll be right back."
McKenzie looked on as Donnie spoke with another waitress and slightly tilted her head to the entrance of the burger joint. The waitress walked towards the entrance just as Richard entered, and Donnie walked back towards her.
"Ok hunni, let's move you and the little one to the back. Stay low."
With the duffle bag on her shoulder, and Jasmine on her hip, McKenzie crept out from under the table thankful for the crowd as Donnie ushered them through the sanctuary of the kitchen and then to another small room to the back.
In the room, there was a small table, a few chairs, a fridge and a microwave.
"Thank you for helping me," McKenzie said as she settled into one of the chairs, dropping the duffle bag close to her feet and the cordless phone on the table.
"Don't worry about it. I hate men who don't know when the relationship is over. Let me get your order. I'll be right back."
Donnie left and a few minutes later returned with two large burgers and fries with drinks. McKenzie pulled out some cash from her jacket and tried to give it to Donnie but she refused to take it.
"Use that to take care of your little one. I'm going back on the floor. I'll be back to check on you in a few minutes."
As soon as Donnie left, McKenzie devoured one of the burgers as Jasmine nibbled on the fries, thankful to have time to think about her next move. When they were finishing up their meal Donnie walked in.
"How were the burgers and fries?" Donnie asked.
"They were amazing. Thank you so much." McKenzie flashed her a genuine smile.
As Donnie packed up, the phone rang and Eddie spoke up, "Kitten, go to the back of the alley. Waiting for you is a self-driving car."
McKenzie sighed with relief, "Thank you. I'm coming out now."
She slung the duffle bag over her shoulder and stood up with Jasmine, before handing the phone to Donnie.
"Donnie, thank you for everything. There's a car waiting for me in the alley. Can you help me get to it?"
"We've come this far, I can't leave you now," Donnie winked.
Donnie led McKenzie through the kitchen to a door that opened to the alley.
McKenzie embraced Donnie. "Thanks again."
"You're welcome, hunni. Be safe."
McKenzie and Jasmine slipped into the night. As promised in the alley was a car, a black Audi with tinted windows.
The back door of the car hissed open and McKenzie rushed inside with Jasmine giving the burger joint one last look before the door closed behind her.
McKenzie leaned her head back as Jasmine lay on her chest. The car pulled out of the alley and navigated the city streets.
She kissed Jasmine on her forehead. "We're going to make it, baby. I'm never going to lose you again." Her words were both a mantra and a promise.
"Kitten." Eddie's voice was loud and clear in the car.
"What the hell..."
Eddie chuckled, "Kitten, have you forgotten whose car this is?"
McKenzie rolled her eyes and smiled. "Hey, Eddie. Are we heading back to the bunkers?"
"I still can't get onto Yellows so I don't think that's the best option. I'm arranging a safe place for you. Just hang on."
McKenzie's stomach churned. If Eddie couldn't locate Yellows, something was very wrong. For all she knew, Alejandro had already shipped him off to another country, or worse, killed him.
Eddie's voice cut through her thoughts. "We're almost there," he reassured, "Just a little longer, and you'll be safe."
Twenty minutes later, they approached the designated safe spot, and the car slowed to a halt. The doors slid open, revealing an alley.
"Head to the end of the alley. Someone is waiting for you."
McKenzie followed the instructions, and though she wasn't sure who she was about to meet she knew Eddie wouldn't put her in danger.
As she approached the dead end a figure emerged from the shadows, their features obscured by the dim light.
"Kitten, it's nice to finally meet you."