Chapter 83：Friends in High Places

After Jordan had a closed-door meeting with the president-and his mistress-; the police were ordered to release him immediately and they knew better than to argue with that directive. Jordan was whisked away to an undisclosed location; where he and Lana would be kept under protective-custody until they beat Alexander at his own game.

"Thank you for getting me out AK." Jordan expressed his gratitude for the umpteenth time. The driver held the limo door open and they hopped inside. "Or should I say Mistress of the President."

"Shut up JC!" Maya swatted his arm. "You can thank your president though-not me." She smiled.

"I already did. Countless times. The guy was even blushing." Jordan grinned.

Maya tried hard but she could not suppress a chuckle. "You're just-you're too much!"

"So what's going to happen with Lana? Are they going to bring her over to the safe-house? Is she well enough to leave the hospital?" He prompted.

"Jones and the presidential guard have already transported her there. They have set up a room for her and arranged for a private doctor and nurse aides to be on call 24-7. So she should be fine -for now at least." She advised him of the plan of action.

"They've thought of everything, haven't they? I'm so grateful." He squeezed her hand. "I can't wait to see her. I've missed her so much."

"Well...first things first-you need to take a bath and shave young man." She furrowed her brows and he smiled whimsically.

"That sounds like heaven!" Gushed Jordan, scratching under his chin.

"It's good to have you back." Maya smiled.

"At least I have a criminal record on my resume. I'm an ex-con." He raised his eyes to hers; and nodded with an air of banter that was charming.

"So you think you're a gangster now?" She laughed.

He winked at her and sighed with relief. "It feels sooo good to be free!"

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Lana woke up with a start in a not so familiar environment; one that she didn't recognize. She didn't remember how she got here and was trying to piece everything together. She squinted as her eyes trailed around her surroundings. The walls were pale blue and the floors were carpeted; the windows were floor to ceiling and the curtains were partially drawn as the morning breeze stirred them. Then her gaze fell on the couch, where she saw Jordan sleeping on the sofa at one side of the place. It's like he sensed her looking at him because his eyes fluttered opened and met with hers.

"Carter!" She shifted her body into a sitting position then flung her arms out at Jordan in a gesture of repudiation.

"Hey, baby!" He was instantly awake as he rushed into her outstretched arms and embraced her.

"You're here!" She exclaimed and she burst into tears.

"Yes, I'm here baby.." He kissed and soothed her. "It's okay..everything is going to be okay."

"Sorry for the intrusion Mr Carter," the nurse apologized,- "but it's time to change Mrs Carter's dressing."

"Do you want me to stay?" He held her hand affectionately in his and leaned forward to kiss her forehead.

"No..I don't want you to be grossed out," Lana remarked, looking up at him with a crooked smile.

"I wouldn't be sweets. I'll stay if you want me to-"

"Get out of here Carter." She commanded.

"Yes, Ma'am." He said as he saluted and backed away. " If you need me, I'll be downstairs with Jones."

"I'll always need you, babe."

"Does that mean I should stick around-"

"Nooo." She grinned. "Go." She laughed as he took a bow and left the nurses to attend to her.

Jordan descended the stairs and entered the hall and found Jones in the kitchen, finishing off his breakfast. "Hey, Jay. What's going on?"

"I'm going to head back in a moment." He took a bite of his toasted ham and cheese sandwich. "But let me bring you up to speed on our strategy." Jones briefed him on the course of action and Jordan listened, nodding his head here and there.

"Do you think that this is fool-proof?" Jordan looked up from emptying his third cup of coffee.

"State security devised it so I'm pretty sure it will work." A tinkle of cutlery and a slight jingle of glasses were heard as Jones placed them in the kitchen sink.

"I just want my life back, Jay. I can't keep living like this." He combed his fingers through his hair. He wanted to scream with anger and frustration. "It isn't fair on Lana. She never signed up for any of this drama."

"It will be over soon kid." He put his hand on his shoulder and patted it softly. "I've got to go."

"Let me come with you-"

"NO!"

"I can't just wait around here while you go and risk your life-"

"I said no Jordan. You stay here with your pregnant wife okay? You're not coming with us. End of discussion." He added, in a tone of finality, and started down the steps that led to the garage.

"Fine." Jordan clicked his teeth shut.

"Good boy," Jones smirked in a self-deprecating way and pulled the door open.

"Take care of yourself, Jay. I don't want you getting hurt or-"

"What makes you think that you're going to be the godfather?"

"A hunch I guess." He replied as he donned his leather jacket and a cap.

'You and Kyle will have to battle that one out." He responded with a grin.

"That pretty boy got nothing on me. I'll squash him." As he spoke he thumped his fist against his open palm.

"Excuse me Mr Carter-your wife is asking for you." The nurse stood at the doorway and waited for his response.

"Tell her I'll be up in a minute." He informed and the nurse nodded before she went out. "

"I won't be able to keep you posted for obvious reasons. But someone will come by this evening if necessary."

"Yeah. I understand."

"If anything should happen to me-please take care of my family?" His face grew serious, and was very placid.

"Stop talking crazy Jay-" He brushed him off, disturbed by the appeal.

"Promise me Jordan." He pressed,

"I promise Jay. They will never lack anything-you know that."

This seemed to satisfy him so he threw his arms about Jordan and hugged him tightly. "You're a good kid Jordan Carter."

"Don't talk like that Jay-that's what Preston said to me before he-"

"I'll see you soon okay?" Jones squeezed his arm before he jumped in the Discovery.

"You better make sure you come back!" Jordan shouted after the car.

"Yes, Sir!" Jones stuck his head out and waved one last time before the car drove out of the gate.