Life After Divorce: The Rise Of Elijah Crawford

Chapter 8

The connection was severed before Elijah could deliver a response. Adrenaline coursed through his veins as he swiftly packed his belongings. Winnie, observing the sudden shift, stared at him in surprise.

"What's going on?" she asked, a mixture of concern and confusion in her voice.

Elijah paused for a moment, contemplating how much to share. "I have to go. There's an emergency."

Winnie's eyes widened with realization. "Is everything okay?"

Elijah nodded, reassuring her, "I'll handle it."

"Can't I help? What if you need assistance?"

Elijah appreciated her concern but shook his head. "This is something I need to handle alone. Your grandfather needs you here. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Winnie nodded,:“Alright. Let me know if you need any help from me.”

Elijah offered a small, appreciative smile, and without responding turned to leave.

As Elijah stepped out of the building, a surge of anticipation raced through him, ignited by the abrupt end to Rhonda's call.

"Please save me. I'm at… At the Palm Springs hotel... He-help." Her voice lingered in his mind.

Beneath the relentless sun, he stood contemplating how he was going to make it to the hotel. Suddenly, a sleek black SUV smoothly glided to a stop before him.

"Miss Winnie asked me to give you a ride," John mentioned.

Elijah gave a grateful nod and eagerly entered the waiting car.

In the car, John glanced at Elijah through the rearview mirror and asked, "Where to?"

"Palm Springs hotel," Elijah responded urgently. "Please, drive as fast as you can."

The car accelerated away from the vicinity, merging onto the main roads. As the wind rushed through the open windows, Elijah eased into the seat to a more comfortable position. He suddenly recalled the herb that Winnie had promised him as a reward for saving her grandfather's life.

Realizing he hadn't taken it, he made a mental note to return for it once the current predicament was resolved. The urgency of the situation took precedence, and he focused on the road ahead, hoping to reach the hotel swiftly.

The sleek black SUV carrying Elijah sped through the road, racing against time to reach the Palm Springs hotel. Elijah's mind buzzed with worry for Rhonda, fueled by the urgency in her voice during the distressing call.

John's gaze flickered from the road to Elijah, catching the subtle signs of restlessness in the set of his jaw and the tapping of his fingers. "What's going on, Mr. Elijah?" he inquired.

Elijah's eyes remained fixed on the passing scenery, his voice revealing a mixture of concern and uncertainty. "I'm not entirely sure yet."

John cursed under his breath as the yellow light turned an infuriating red. With a controlled frustration, he brought the sleek black SUV to a stop. "We'll get there soon," he reassured, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the steering wheel.

Elijah, unable to contain his worry, dialed Rhonda's number. It rang for a few seconds before the call was coldly declined. Undeterred, he dialed again, only to face the same rejection. On the third attempt, an automated voice informed him that the line was not available.

The traffic light shifted back to a vibrant green, and John pressed down on the accelerator with a controlled urgency. The car surged forward, hurtling through the busy road. He skillfully maneuvered the car to overtake other obstacles in its path. 

As they approached the hotel, Elijah's senses tickled with anticipation. The car screeched to a halt, and without waiting for it to fully stop, he bolted out, sprinting towards the entrance.

About a dozen burly men, clad in dark suits, formed a human barricade around the Palm Spring hotel entrance. 

Elijah, undeterred, approached confidently, only to be stopped by the imposing figure of the leader of the bodyguards at the forefront. 

"The hotel has been cleared out by the Luxe family. Turn around," asserted the leader.

Elijah locked eyes with the man. "I don't care about the Luxe family. Stand aside."