Chapter 36
"Now, that's out of the way," Jericho murmurs at my back, gently kissing my bare shoulder. "We need to get you out of here. I can't stand another fucking minute without you beside me."
"Leave?" I murmur into Arrow's chest. "I can't leave yet," I rasp, shaking my head the best I can.
There's too much to do now. I have to speak with Elias and warn him of Shadow's plans. He may not be a good man, but I've seen how Jenni lights up around him. He's the sun in her universe; I can't let that die.
It's for the good of Briar Cove.
I turn in their embrace, struggling to look up at Jericho, who frowns. "No? You don't want to leave?" Anger weaves into his voice, but he doesn't show it on the outside. His face remains impassive except for the fire in his eyes.
"No," I whisper as tears form in my eyes. "I can't leave yet. I have to..."
"You don't have to do shit. The only reason I'm here is to retrieve you and Shepp." His eyes look past me, and his muscles tighten. "And I'm guessing he wasn't your plus one." His teeth grind to dust when he squeezes his eyes shut, taking several calming breaths—no doubt counting inside his head to bring his anger down. Jericho's mood sets me on edge, raising the hairs on my arms and plummeting my hopes into my stomach.
He's going to kidnap me again.
With or without Shepp.
I can't let that happen. Not tonight. Shepp's life depends on me going back to him. That's why I have to talk to Elias and Jenni. Make a damn plan to keep everyone safe from Shadow's wrath.
"He was supposed to be, but Shadow..."
"Speaking of that worm. Where is he?" Arrow asks with a menacing tone. "I'd like to have a fist or two with him."
"It's a word, not a fist," Jericho grunts with irritation.
"Oh, no. Not this time, Daddy Jer. It's fists. Because I'm going to put my fist so far down his throat, it'll come out of his asshole."
I blanch. Well, that's a visual I'll never unsee. Although, it wouldn't be the worst thing ever.
"No," I say, shaking my head. "You two need to lie low or something. I have something to take care of. I need to talk to Jenni and Elias. Shepp is still on that fucking island, and I can't leave here with you without him." I dig my heels in stupidly as they exchange looks, conversing silently with one another while I'm none the wiser.
I hate it when they do that. It’s rude.
"A word with those two is fine. But I'm not leaving this fucking wedding without my goddamn wife." He levels me with a stare I don't understand, glaring daggers into my skull.
"And I'm not leaving this wedding without going back for Shepp," I challenge, raising my brows. Fight me, Jericho. I dare you. "I can't leave him to fend for himself. Shadow... He's..." I roll my lips together, trying to keep my emotions from bubbling over.
Jericho sighs, releasing all the pent-up anger inside him. "We know," Jericho says, thumbing over my bottom lip. "Elias told us."
I blink several times. "You've had contact with Elias? What the..."
"He's the reason we're here, Kitten. He invited us to take you away from the big bad wolf. So, that's what we're going to do." I can hear the smile in Arrow's voice without having to look at him.
"He invited you for this?" I murmur, shuddering when Jericho gently shoves his thumb in my mouth. Possibly to arouse me into submission. Or to shut me up so he can get me out of here.
Not happening, Jerk-ico.
I will speak to Elias. Whether they like it or not.
"He said you'd be here, that he would make sure of it." Jericho's voice dips low, filled with emotions—heavy and unrelenting—like a wicked storm brewing in the distance and not showing its potential until it hits. "My Little Chaos," he whispers through a shuddering voice. “I've missed you dearly, my wife. The things I've done to get to this point. To get to you.”
"The people he's killed. The flesh wounds. You should ask him about his shoulder and leg," Arrow quips. "All I had to do was slice some throats after my coma." My eyes widen. "Oh, right. You weren't there," Arrow hums, shaking his head.
"Shepp can fend for himself," Jericho says coldly, changing the subject with a frown.
"Not up against that!" I hiss, pushing him away with a grunt. "That's his sadistic father! And he's worse than yours."
Jericho blinks several times before his face softens with understanding. Something I think he only lets me see. Not the world. Not even Arrow. Warmth spreads across my cheeks when he cups my face affectionately, staring deep into my eyes.
"All the more reason to keep you away from him,” he whispers, not elaborating further. Leaning in, he pecks my cheek and then steps back, straightening out his suit with a sigh. "You have to understand, Little Chaos. I'm doing this to keep you safe. Will I leave Shepp to do that alone without a backup plan? No. Believe me." He implores me with his eyes, taking in my fallen expression.
My heart aches at the thought of leaving Shepp behind. He wouldn't do the same to me. I can't leave him behind. Never.
"What kind of backup plan do you have?" I ask, furrowing my brows. "If that boat was your backup plan, it failed. I was so afraid..." I trail off, shaking my head.
"Aw, Kitten. Were you scared we were on the sinking ship?" Arrow asks playfully.
"Yes." My face tightens at his teasing. "Is it hard to believe I'd cry for you two?"
Jericho immediately takes my chin between his fingers and leans forward, gently kissing my lips. "It's not hard to believe. But I don't like to think of you shedding your tears."
I sigh, kissing him back slowly. I missed the way his lips felt against mine. The way their bodies pressed into mine. I missed their smells. Their demanding ways. How'd they work themselves under my skin so damn quickly without me realizing? Maybe it was how they cared for my needs long before I knew they existed. And then, beyond that.
"I need to speak with Elias while he's granting favors," I say as Jericho pulls back. I miss the way he kisses me immediately.
"Why?" he asks, leveling me with a jealous stare.
I offer him a tight smile as I slip from their grips. "Because I'm supposed to murder him when it comes time." I shrug, turning on my heels to leave them. I pat the spot beneath my right boob where the knife is supposed to be sitting and freeze.
“Looking for this, Kitten?”
Ugh. I spin on my heel, giving him my best sour expression. It makes him grin from ear to ear while holding the tiny knife. He flicks it open with one movement and stares at it.
“With this?” He hums, spinning the sharp end on the tip of his finger. “It doesn’t even work,” he says with a shrug, tossing it aside.
Jericho huffs behind him, leaning down to pick it up. “This isn’t a very good knife, Little Chaos.”
Well, no shit, Sherlocks, I want to shout. Of course, it’s not. Because Shadow doesn’t want me to fucking succeed. He wants me to try and get myself killed.
"Hold up, Kitten. I told you, if you're planning murdery things you're supposed to include me. How should we do it, then? Gut him? Shoot him? I’ve got an arsenal in my pants.” For fuck’s sake, I don’t want to know what the hell he’s talking about. His dick? Maybe. Actual weapons. Probably. With a huff, I march forward as he continues babbling about weapons. “Oh, let's string him up and..." I slap a hand over his mouth, sending him a glare that would wither a grown man.
But Arrow doesn't budge.
In fact, he licks my hand with a grin.
"Supposed to is the key word, Arrow," I grumble, removing my hand from his lips and wiping it on my slinky dress. "I just need to talk to him. I need to make it seem like I'm doing the job for Shadow." Also, it'll give me a chance to talk to Elias. I need to devise a plan to get Shepp back to us and out of danger. He knows his way to the island and how to roam around without being killed.
The longer the four of us are apart, the longer Shadow and Gabriel will be in control.
"Damn. You know I enjoy being included in your murder plots," he grumbles, folding his arms.
"The question still stands, Little Chaos. What exactly do you need to speak to Elias about?" He raises a brow, inspecting my face.
I swear he's reading my mind. To get away from you two. So, I can return to the island without putting Shepp in danger. I'm sure Shadow will know the moment I disappear from this hotel. He'll radio back to whoever has Shepp by the short and curlies to finish the job.
And I can't have that.
It's all for one or all for none. Because if I don't have my silent giant by my side, I'll level this town with Shadow and Gabriel at the bottom of the rubble.
"Can you trust me?" I ask, taking a step back.
"I'd give you my bleeding heart, lay it in your palm, and ask you to keep it safe. My trust in you is not the question. I want to know the plans running through your wicked little mind." He grins at me, stepping up to me to clasp my palm.
Well, when he puts it like that.
Fuck.
"Shepp is still on the island. Elias knows how to get there. I need his help to get him back." I stare into Jericho's dark eyes. He gives nothing away. No emotions. Or motives.
"Then, let's go have a discussion with Elias," he says in a low voice.
"Discreetly," I say, slowly taking my hand back. "I can't be seen with you two. Shadow will know. It'll put Shepp in danger," I murmur, swallowing hard. "I need to do this alone."
"Like fuck, Kitten," Arrow growls, stepping up to me and taking my chin between his fingers. "You'll never do anything alone again." He narrows his eyes. “Or leave my sight.”
"No. She's right," Jericho says.
"What?!" Arrow’s anger-filled shout fills the wedding venue with his rage. "She is not right. She can't go into that meeting room without us." He puffs out his bottom lip like a child.
"She's a big girl. We'll hang back. We can't tip off Shadow, especially when he has our friend, probably at gunpoint. I’m assuming one wrong move, and he’s promised to harm him?”
I nod.
Arrow scoffs, turning on his heel to put his back to us. "I hate both of you." Then he peeks over his shoulder. "But not you, Kitten. But you." He glares at Jericho. "If this goes sideways, I'm taking your belly button as punishment."
"His belly button?" I sputter with wide eyes. "That's..."
"Go to your meeting, Little Chaos. My belly button is safe." However, Jericho doesn’t seem so confident when he covers his stomach with his hand, grimacing at the thought.
Does the big, bad mafia man get queasy at the thought of his belly button being ripped open? Nope. On second thought, I’m nauseous thinking about it, too.
"For now," Arrow growls, the sound thick with menace, and his finger traces a slow, deliberate line across his throat.
"Should we meet back here afterward?" I ask, looking around the empty room.
"No. There's a small room at the back where wedding parties prepare for the events. Use the left door. But also take this," Jericho says, handing me a small phone from his pocket. "Tuck it into your dress and call us."
Without another word, Jericho kisses my cheek, lingering there longer than necessary. "We'll come after you if you aren't back in thirty minutes. No matter what happens, we'll drag you out of here kicking and screaming."
"And Shepp?" I bristle.
"I know it's hard to believe, but Shepp can fend for himself. With you away, he'll have extra motivation to remove himself from the situation. Shepp will swim fifty miles to have you back in his arms, if it comes to that. He's a strong man, Journey." His facial features soften when he pulls me closer, hovering his lips above mine. "If Shepp were here and I was there, he'd do the same." It's all he says before pressing his lips roughly into mine.
"Okay," I breathlessly say when he pulls back. Whatever he sees on my face must make him believe the lie I'm telling him.
It's not okay. Not really. I'm just pretending. I'll fight Heaven and Hell to get Shepp back. No matter if he can fend for himself. We went through something hellish together, and I don't plan on letting him rot in those caves without rescue, even if I have to run from Jericho and Arrow to forge ahead myself.
I will not leave Shepp behind.
“Be a good little Kitten,” Arrow quips, gripping me by the back of the neck. “Do your job and then get back here. And if you need help murdering him, I’ve got weapons.” He grins, shoving my hand against his pants.
I stiffen. “That’s your…” He moves my hand to the left a little. “Oh.” Well, that one’s a gun. The first one? That was definitely his hard dick.
“The first thing you touched, we can reacquaint you with again later. Multiple times. He misses you already. Tell her, Big A. Tell her how much you want to fuck her and…” I lean up, putting my lips against his. Mainly to get him to shut up about his dick that he insists on calling Big A. I may feel a little off, but if he keeps it up, I will mount him again. I’ve missed them so damn much. My only regret is that I didn’t fight hard enough for Shepp to come for a reunion. But there was no talking Shadow into allowing it. He had his heart set on me being his date and using Shepp as blackmail so I’d murder Elias.
God, I wonder what he’s doing. Is he safe? I haven’t seen Shepp since they tore me from the viewing box and threw me back into the caves. No doubt to break me even further so he could force me to do this.
“Shut up and go hide,” I mumble, peeling his fingers off me.
Arrow grins again, adjusting himself. “You know how to make a bad boy want to fall to his knees and worship you like you’re his goddess.”
Fuck me.
I turn on my heels, quickly exiting the room with a sigh. Loud voices and music come from the wooden double doors across the hall, housing the wedding reception now in full swing.
I sigh, grounding myself in what I have to do.