“I have no idea how we’re going to avoid Sonny or Vicente, or even Alcazar. We chose this route because it was a straight shot. I don’t know the new layout of the criminal country well enough to chart a path that’s free of hotspots.” Ric hadn’t exactly been forthcoming in the divorce proceedings with a map of Port Charles’ Mob Land.

Cruz tapped his hands on the wheel. “That’s fine. Totally fine. We’re gonna have to do some extra ordinary driving not to be noticed and we need a different car, but it can be done. After all,” he flashed a grin at her, “you always expect complications.”

She smiled to herself. “Don’t mock me.”

“Never.”

She followed the thick red line until it circled to her satisfaction towards the Gulf Coast. That wasn’t their final destination, but it was the start. “Bingo. I think this can get us there, but we are going still going to have to switch vehicles or everyone will realize we’re not going to Canada before we escape the city limits.”

Cruz’s tapping sped up until it started to distract her. She knew this was how he thought when he was worked up. He would tap some inane tune until his thoughts lined up straight. It was involuntary; sometimes she found it endearing, now it was unnerving. She pulled off her glasses, leaned over the armrest and stopped his hand with hers.

He looked down at her hand covering his on the steering wheel. He shifted his focus to her. He knew that look. She was hanging on by a thread tonight.

“I’ll keep you and the girls safe. Don’t worry.”

“I’m not.” She pulled away and sat back, turning again to the convoluted map. She wondered if some divine being had conjured it up just to drive her to madness.

“That’ll be the day,” he mumbled under his breath.

She kept her eyes down. “I’m blind, not deaf, Cruz.”

“Then, you’re the most stunning handi-capable woman I’ve ever met.”

She lifted an eyebrow incredulously. She supposed she should‘ve been used to it. If he was anything, he was a flirt. A respectful, respectable flirt. If only she‘d met him sooner. She sighed. He would probably have still been in the academy then.

“Charmer.”

“My mother used to call me that.”

“Way to ruin the moment.”

He laughed. “It’s okay. You’re nothing like my mother. She liked eighties power ballads.”

“Again with the music. There is nothing wrong with the kind of music I listen to. And I’ll have you know that I do like eighties music.” She inclined her chin, satisfied that she’d made her case.

“Then, why do you roll your eyes whenever I turn one on?”

She shrugged, flushing, and looked towards their dimly lit surroundings. It was all beginning to look very familiar. “Where are we going?”

He followed the curve of the road into another right turn. “Don’t change the subject. You’re covering. What is it?”

She pursed her lips, staring nervously at the trees that began to close in on them. This city made her insane. There was no way so much concrete and wilderness should be squeezed into the same space. It was unnatural. “It makes me sing, okay? When a great eighties song comes on, I want to sing it at the top of my lungs, which is very embarrassing for me.”

“Why? That’s what power ballads are supposed to do. You can’t be made fun of because you’re doing what comes naturally.”

“Says you.”

“Says everyone,” he returned plainly. “I sing at the top of my lungs regardless of who’s around. It’s made for a lot of jokes from my friends, but it’s just a good time.”

She crossed her legs and sat her hands still on them. “You and I clearly have different friends.”

“Clearly,” he intoned. “Mine are better.”

“Don’t test me on that.” She scanned the trees and almost heard the sounds of jungle birds in the middle of New York. The hairs stood on her arms and she shivered, wishing she could hold Molly in her arms just now. “Where are we going?”

Finally at the end of his tour of mockery, Cruz wasn’t smiling anymore. “I need you to trust me, Lexie.” Her brow furrowed in consternation. He’d never called her that and while she wasn’t exactly sold on her newest moniker, it wasn’t what concerned her. She didn’t like any of this anymore.

“You know I do, but I need to know where you’re taking me and my daughters. This isn’t on the route.” She wasn’t a fan of unexpected developments. This, this was why she was neurotic.

“Yes, it is.” He pulled them slowly into a dense area of brush. The branches scratched at the windshield and leaves floated down over their heads. She twisted around to look out the back window and was amazed to find the branches and vines closing together as though they’d never pushed their way through. She righted herself and was instantly overcome by darkness. Her childhood fear of the dark began to sneak up her spine when there was a resounding click and then there was light. And Cruz.

“You all right?” He was holding her arm. Darkness was one of the fears he knew, one she’d confessed amid a moment of uncertainty. They couldn’t stay, she’d said, otherwise they’d be consumed in the darkness. The possibility had, and still did, terrify her.

“I’m fine, but very confused. Where are we?”

He unfastened his seat belt. “We’re at the big leap of faith.” He reached down to his ankle and removed a small pistol. He laid it on his open palm and offered it to Alexis. “This is where Jameson agreed to meet me. Now, he may be a greedy son of a…” he directed the light towards where Krissy was slumped against Molly’s seat. He frowned, but digressed. “He is many things criminal, but he is a man of his word. If he’s turned on me, it doesn’t matter where we go because we’re screwed. Take this.”

She didn’t. He knew how she felt about deadly weapons. She was averse to them under the best of circumstances.

“Alexis, take this. It’s the only chance you have if this goes south.” He gently places the warm steel into her hands and held it between his own. “Don’t shoot it if you don’t have to, but if you do…think of Molly. Think of Kristina. They need a chance. You’re it.” She nodded, not wholly convinced but utterly determined. Her daughters were her life. “Our ride should be waiting just a few more yards in. If it looks legit, I’ll flash the flashlight once. Be watching. If for any reason you need to hurry, I’ll flash it twice. I won’t do it if it’s not important. If you see me do it twice in quick succession, take them and run to me. Leave everything. I promise it can be replaced. Do you understand?”

She nodded, unable to speak.

“Good. I’ll see you in a few.” He reached up and gently tucked her bangs away from her eyes. His eyes twinkled. “Godspeed.”

“You, too.”

He stepped out of the car, crouching low with his service weapon in hand. She held her pistol tight, pinning her eyes on him until he disappeared into the brush ahead. Her breathing was so loud it drowned out the low drone of some retro song playing softly on the radio.Every move you make, every step you take

Ill be watching you

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