Chapter 299 - No one is born brave (1)

Sarah arrived at Jeff's apartment and greeted four bodyguards who were in front of the door. She was happy to see that all four of them are alert. That told her how Jeff is taking JoAnna's security seriously.

Sarah stood on the side and could not keep her mouth from twitching as she watched Jeff and JoAnna saying goodbyes for more than fifteen minutes. They were holding each other, kissing and whispering.

When Jeff finally left, Sarah smiled at her sister. "Your relationship improved... how was your weekend?"

JoAnna showed a big smile and talked about her weekend, ignoring the intimate parts. Sarah listened about the island and a magical villa which floats in the night and could only praise Jeff for a great idea where to take her sister, all the activities he planned. "He really went all out to make you happy."

"He said he wants to spoil me, so that I never think of another man.", JoAnna remembered.

"I think he is on a good way to spoil you… wait, you are spoiled already!", Sarah teased her.

JoAnna laughed. "Yes, I am." She could not deny it.

…

Greg was downstairs, in a parked silver car he got from Rebecca. He was focused on the garage entrance and observed that Jeff left. Greg didn't have any intention to follow him. His target is JoAnna. Now he is confident that she is inside. He decided that he will patiently wait in front of the building for JoAnna to come out and follow her. She can't stay inside forever, can't she?

...

Up in the penthouse, JoAnna and Sarah spent most of the morning chatting, and they didn't notice time pass. After lunch, they reminded themselves that they should do some work, and focused on their tasks.

JoAnna and Sarah called Sophia to hear latest updates. They were disappointed to hear that police is not able to find Greg, and they don't even know where to look for him. Because he is not wanted for a violent crime, search for Greg is not a top priority for police.

"I guess if he actually hurt me, they would do something." JoAnna scoffed.

"I know that they all have priorities, but I'm disappointed in the police." Sarah sighed.

Sophia agreed and added: "They follow protocol. Search was done in places where he might be, and now they are waiting for someone to spot him and to report him to the police. They do the same thing even with more violent offenders. Charges against him are for financial crimes, and for abusing his position. With that, he is not in a category of criminals who are an immediate danger to society."

"Are you saying that even if he is caught, he will not be punished severely?" Sarah asked.

"We will do all we can for him to get maximum sentence. We hope for ten years in prison." Sophia explained.

"Ten years? And it can be less?" JoAnna wanted to understand.

"It could be..." Sophia confirmed. "It will depend on his defense and how judge decides."

Three sisters chatted for some more time, until Sophia needed to go to a meeting.

The day passed without any problems.

Later in the afternoon, Aiden stopped by to pick up Sarah, and they waited for Jeff to come from work so that JoAnna is not alone. Aiden and Sarah didn't stay for dinner, they left after a short chat, and Sarah promised to come back tomorrow.

That evening Jeff asked JoAnna, "How do you feel about the arrangement that Sarah comes here during the day?"

"With the security outside I know that I'm safe but having her here is helping my mind not think about crazy stuff. We talked a lot, and she is the best security I could wish for."

"Good. As long as you stay inside, I don't need to worry about you being safe." He was confident that with this arrangement Greg has no chance of approaching JoAnna.

JoAnna smiled and didn't say anything further on the topic.

...

Next morning Jeff was reluctant to go to work. He woke up from a nightmare where JoAnna was in danger, and she disappeared without a trace, and he was not able to find her.

It took JoAnna some time to convince him that it was just a dream, and that he should go to work. She has four guards, and Sarah will come. "I will be safe."

No matter what JoAnna said, Jeff was feeling uneasy. "You will stay home, right?"

"I will be safe." JoAnna repeated. She saw that he is worried. "You are just overthinking things because of bad dreams you are having recently. Everything will be OK. Go and work, and when you come back, I will be here." She coaxed him.

He waited Sarah to arrive before he went to work.

Sarah watched Jeff leave. As soon as JoAnna closed the door behind him, Sarah asked, "Are you sure you are doing the right thing by not telling him?"

JoAnna was still looking at the closed door. "If I tell him, he will just overreact. Jeff will either try to prevent me from going or tag along." JoAnna turned to Sarah. "And I'm not comfortable keeping him away from his work. That work is part of his life, and this is something I want to do."

"We can do this some other time." Sarah offered.

JoAnna shook her head. "We don't know how long this situation with Greg will drag on. What if it's months? We can to this today."

Sarah agreed with JoAnna. "OK. I don't want to meddle between you two more than I already have, but keeping secrets is not a good thing." Sarah forgot about the detail that she didn't tell Aiden how she plans to head out of the penthouse with JoAnna.

JoAnna ignored Sarah's warning. "Come, let me show you on map three locations where we are going. I will leave logistics to you. We should leave soon."

Shortly later, Sarah and JoAnna were in the back of the car, heading out of the apartment building with Bob1 and Bob2 in front. Second car was with Max and Ross following behind them.

Greg was sitting in a car, parked on the street outside the building, and he spotted the car with JoAnna leaving the parking lot. He was about to follow but reminded himself that there are four bodyguards usually. Greg was pleased with his decision to wait when he saw that five seconds later underground garage door opened again, and a second car with two bodyguards exited. Greg followed this second car with a grin on his face.