It has been 72 hours since I was called an impostor – an imitation of the original Amelia Winchester.
I paced the dingy room, with the remote in my hand, biting into my fingernails as I watched the news. It was my only contact with the outside world at this point.
My Uncle Philip had come forward denying that I was not his niece and was only a placeholder until the real Winchester was introduced to the world but apparently, I had gotten so used to the position and wouldn't give it up.
Multiple shareholders had come forward to attest that I gave them each a bribe to endorse me as the real heiress of Sky Group and CEO of Sky Corporation.
My face was splashed on every media outlet with a wanted notice and a bounty placed on my head if anyone should see me. I was literally a fugitive on the run. I and Monty have changed our Motel lodgings more than once -never spending more than one day in each of them. According to him, it was for our safety and to risk being traced.
The door opened and Monty slipped in carrying a paper bag that smelled of hamburgers and fries.
"Miss," he sighed and collected the remote from my hand, "I told you to stop watching the news, it'll do you no good, okay? I've brought some food," he stated setting the food on the table in the room.
My stomach growled with repulse; I was tired of eating of eating street food. So, I shook my head. "How can I eat when my entire life is falling apart? Did you see the news? They're saying I am a fake heiress. That I tried to bribe the shareholders!".
"I told you to stop watching the news," Monty sighed, his forehead creasing with concern. "But you need to eat now, Miss Sienna. We have a long journey ahead and you will need your strength,".
I laughed bitterly. "Journey to where? Prison"
"No!" he shook his head "Chelsea is trying to contact as many people as she can… people that'll be willing to help us out of this situation. Also…" he sighed shaking his head "We cannot leave New York. The whole place is crawling with the police department, they're searching all the nooks and crannies and the airports, seaports, trains... have you on red alert…".
"Damn!" I cried, fighting back the tears that filled my eyes "I'm truly fucked, Monty. Should I just turn myself in? I'm tired of running away… I am, honestly,".
"Don't worry," Monty sighed, "I will make sure…" A loud crash echoed outside our room, making Monty pause. Immediately, he turned off the light plunging us into darkness.
"Stay here!" he whispered, creeping towards the door.
My heart pounded as Monty peered through the peephole. When he turned back, his face was ashen. There was panic in his voice.
"Police," he hissed. "They're searching the rooms, bringing out everyone. Did you tell anyone that we're here?" Monty asked urgently.
"No!" I whispered back fiercely "All my contacts are on the other phone. There's no way to reach out to anyone except you. Maybe it was Chelsea,".
"No!" he shook his head "Pack up, we need to leave now and it couldn't be Chelsea, this is not her first rodeo. Do you remember where you kept the backpack?"
The noise was getting closer now. "Yeah, at the corner of the room," I said.
"Okay, go grab it, we will leave through the window but we'll make it look like we went out through the air vent. But before anything, can you remember if you spoke to anyone or…".
"Ted!" my mind flashed to the two minutes I spent with him "He talked about Dad and…" I reached out for the wads of money he had squeezed into my hand "He gave me some money and his card,".
"Shit!" Monty growled with annoyance "I told you not to talk to anyone didn't I?"
"But he knew it was me. He started speaking about dad…".
"No, he didn't" Monty fired back "You gave yourself away by agreeing you knew who he was talking about. That's how he knew. Ted is a coward and I know your uncle must have reached out to him. Can you fucking listen to me from now on?"
"I'm sorry, I honestly thought…"
The words dried from my lips as the door to our room was kicked in and in less than a second, the room was filled with policemen. Someone turned on the light.
"FREEZE!" one of the policemen shouted.
In that split second, Monty sprang to his feet and shoved me towards the window, placing himself between me and the police.
"RUN!" he roared, closing the window and launching himself at the nearest officer.
I didn't hesitate. I scrambled out of the window, dropping painfully onto a dumpster below. As soon as I hit the ground, my legs pumped with adrenaline as I sprinted down the darkened alley beside the hotel. Behind me, I could hear the sounds of the policemen running after me. I knew I had to be a lot faster.
Left, right, another left – I weaved through the black alleys, my lungs burning, still hoping they'd stop chasing after me. As I rounded another corner, a hand shot out from the shadows, yanking me into a hidden corner. I opened my mouth to scream, but a familiar voice stopped me.
"Quiet," Monty whispered, his face was bruised but his eyes were still alert. "They're close,".
We pressed ourselves against the wall, barely daring to breathe as a group of policemen ran past us.
When the coast was clear, Monty pulled out his phone. "We need help," he said grimly. "There's only one person left who might be able to shield you from your uncle's reach,".
"Who?" I asked perplexed.
"The mysterious Mr Black of Blackway Industries. He'll help us if he knows you're in trouble,".
"Really?" My eyes widened with shock. "Is he a friend of father? I thought you said no one in New York would help us? And isn't Mr Black very mysterious? No one knows who he is. No one has ever met him,".
"Well!" Monty shrugged "Not exactly, I pulled a few strings earlier today and I know who he is and he's someone you know. He used to be your ex-fiancé,".
"Oh my God! Monty," I shook my head. "Anyone but him!"