Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
MAXIMUS
My car comes to a screeching stop just down the road from the house. The way has been blocked off by cars and people. Spotting Christian’s and Sean's cars and a few of the security members, I jump out and head to my brothers. Everyone turns to look as I reach them: Terry, Layton, and Logan, all obviously anxious and stressed as they huddle around a tablet in Logan's hands.
“What the fuck is going on?” I yell as I approach. I glimpse the house through the trees surrounding our property; all the windows are covered, and there is no sign of life anywhere inside.
“Someone has completely overridden the system. No one can get in or out,” Sean answers.
“So, how did you get out?” I demand. “You were meant to be in there with Shorty!”
“Because I was on my way to you, dumb ass!” he snaps, throwing his arms up in the air.
“Why were you coming to me? I told you I was going to train and then come home.”
Sean stares at me like I’ve gone mad.
“You texted me to meet you at the gym to sort out some machine issues.”
“No, I never did. I didn’t even have my phone; it was in my car the whole time.” I hear a few curse words thrown around as Sean pulls out his phone.
“Are you telling me this wasn’t you?” Holding up his phone, I read the message and frown. It’s there for everyone to see. It’s even under a message I sent him this morning.
“What the fuck? I didn’t send that!”
“Where is your phone?” Christian asks. I turn around and head back to retrieve it. I know it’s there, as I read Jasmine's last message saying she was heading to the panic room.
Pulling my phone from the stand it’s been sitting in; I open it and head back to the others. After retrieving the messages, I quickly confirm there is no message on my phone.
“See, I told you I never sent it!” I point out, showing my phone to the others.
“This whole night is just getting more and more fucked up,” Jason sighs, rubbing his face. He looks at Logan and nods towards the house. “Are we any closer to working out how to get in?”
Logan shakes his head as he starts clicking on the tablet in his hand.
“I need to find a way to override it from the hub. They have managed to lock it down so no one can access anything without being on the network.” He frowns at his screen whilst swiping angrily across it.
Storming away from us, he heads to the black van I recognise as one of his, throws open the back door and jumps inside.
The four of us stand at the open door and see Calvin working on the computers they have in there. I can see various viewpoints of the property; all seem to be from drones they must have flying around.
“Area is clear. Our guys have searched every inch, and they haven’t found anyone,” Calvin explains before taking off some overhead headphones and turning his attention to us. “Someone has definitely been here, though; they left tracks on the west side of the building.”
“That’s the same side as Jasmine's room,” Christian adds, his fists tightening. Calvin nods before continuing.
“Her shutter is open, as she said. We think they planned to get in through them. From what we can see, no one is inside except Mrs Brown and Jaz.”
“Have any of you heard from Shorty?” I ask, looking back at the house through the trees.
“The only way is for her to call the security hub number, but they are locked out of there as well. They were doing their rounds when the alarm was activated,” Christian sighs, rubbing the back of his neck as he looks up at the house all barricaded.
“Could we get in through Shorty’s window? Isn’t there a huge ladder in the garden shed?” I ask, looking at Calvin.
“It’s gone. It looks like they took it to make life even more difficult for us,” Christian sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“We’re trying to get hold of one of our guards to come out and try. I don’t think there is anything that woman can’t climb.” Logan explains, turning his head to Calvin, who is watching me. I know what he’s thinking, and it gives me an idea.
“The perimeter is completely clear?” I ask.
“Yeah, they are long gone. They must have realised they had failed and run for it,” he answers. I think about it for a second before walking around the van.
“Let me see what I can do.”
I used to be a damn good climber. I often climbed in and out of our old house where we lived with Tommy. He would try and control me, so I would escape to get pissed, knowing how much he hated it. When I wasn’t in the ring, I would be at a climbing centre near there. It’s been a good few years, but I’m willing to try. “Sean, come with me,” I snap, heading to the house.
“What are you going to do?” Christian calls as we head away from them.
“Give me a second, will you!” I yell back. “He’s just worried I’ll work out how to get in without him,” I mutter under my breath.
“Pack it in. The last thing we need is you winding him up. He’s already stressed as it is,” Sean sighs beside me. Always the diplomat, looking to keep the peace. Sometimes, I wish he would just take my side without trying to keep everyone happy.
“Whatever,” I sigh, stopping at the back of the house. Taking a few steps back, I look at Shorty’s room and see the shutter pushing against something. “What the fuck is that?” I ask, trying to get a clear view of what is stopping it from closing.
“We don’t know. Layton tried to climb up to have a look, but he couldn’t get close enough,” Sean answers, looking up at the window. The light is still on, and we know she is safely in her panic room. I never thought I would be grateful for Christian insisting we had it installed. There is no way anyone can get into it. There again, they weren’t meant to be able to get near the house, but here we are.
Walking up to the wall, I check out the drainpipe, brickwork, and exterior cladding.
“Could you climb it using the cladding and the pipe?” Sean asks beside me.
“Maybe,” I answer trying to work out the best route. I know my upper body strength isn’t what it was when I climbed a few times a week. But the thought of my Shorty up there alone is enough to give me the push to attempt it.
Taking a few steps back, I look to the first area I plan on placing my hands and feet before taking a run and jump. I get a grip on the cladding and look to the next place to position my hands and feet to climb a little higher.
“What the fuck?” I hear Logan curse below, but I’m too busy concentrating to respond.
“For fuck’s sake, please don’t break anything, the house or yourself,” Jason sighs. I look down and flip him off before making my way up the wall a little further.
“Should we get something to break his fall, just in case?” Layton asks.
“He won’t fall. If anyone can get up the side of the house to Jasmine, it’s Maximus.”
“That’s the nicest thing you’ve said about me in a while, Christian,” I call back as I adjust my grip and lift myself a little higher.
“Don’t make me take it back,” I hear him sigh as I laugh before cursing as I lose my grip for a second.
“Fuck.”
All humour is lost for a few minutes as I manage to get a little higher and closer to the window. It’s not easy-going, and there are times I’m literally hanging on by my fingertips. If I stop for too long, people below start shouting out where they can see a gap I can use. It pains me when I realise I need to move away from Jasmine's window and head to Jason's because the way isn’t safe to keep going straight up.
“You’ve got this, Maximus, just a few more meters,” I hear Terry call up.
“Easy for you to say; your feet are planted firmly on the ground, old man!” I call back at the exact moment as my left hand slips from the gap in the wall. I hear a few people cry out as I hang from the wall quite literally by the fingertips of one hand. Taking a deep breath, I swing myself up and grab on with both hands again.
I manage to get to a ledge I can rest on while working out a game plan. I probably should have done that before climbing up here, but all I could think about was getting to my girl.
“What’s the plan, Maximus?” Jason calls up.
“I’m thinking,” I yell back as I find my feet. Leaning back as far as I dare, I look at the shutter to see if I can determine why it didn’t close. When I look, a piece of fabric and two car jacks catch my eye.
“This wasn’t a malfunction,” I call back as I try to think of how to get in that room without the shutter slamming down on me. “It’s been propped open. But I can't see any sign that they got in.” Once I’m sure I’m safe from falling to my death, I look down at those below. “Are we sure there is no one inside?”
“I’ve managed to access the inside cameras; the place is clear. The puppy is in the conservatory; Jasmine and Mrs Brown are both in their panic rooms,” Logan calls up.
“Are you armed?” Christian calls. I reach behind my back, where I usually keep my gun and stop. Looking down, I realise I’m still in my gym gear.
“I only have my knife. My gun’s in the car.” I look over to the window and put a plan together. “In the garden shed, there should be a bucket. Grab that and put the gun, a couple of screwdrivers and a hammer into it. We can get it to me using a rope. I’m sure there’s one in the shed or somewhere.” I watch as people all rush off to grab what I asked for.
“Logan, are the doors inside unlocked yet?” I remember Shorty saying something about the code on her door not working.
“No, but I’ve almost managed to reset them so that you can use a new code for now, and I will change them all once the building is safe.” I hold up my thumb to show I heard him before looking to the window again. If I hit the corner of the glass, the whole thing should shatter, and I’ll be able to knock it out so I can get inside.
“Maximus, Jazzy is the only one who can unlock the panic room. It’s done from the inside,” Jason calls. “When you enter her room, stand in front of the camera, and she should see you.”
“Will do. Are we one hundred percent certain that no one is hiding in the house?” I call down.
“Yes, Logan has been able to keep an eye since getting access to the cameras inside,” Calvin replies. Thank fuck for that; the last thing I need is to worry about getting ambushed in there. I hear the others discussing how to throw the rope to me so I can pull the bucket to the ledge. I spend a little time trying to find the best route from here to her room and how I will break the window. There is nothing for me to safely stand on to look at the wall, which is why I’ve asked for the screwdrivers. If I can force them into the wall, I may be able to use them as supports to stop me from falling. Is there a way I can use them to support me while I smash the window? That in itself isn’t going to be easy. We have reinforced glass on all windows, making them virtually bulletproof. Nothing about this will be easy; there are many things that could go wrong, but the thought of my girl in there alone and scared has me determined to get to her, no matter what I need to do to do it.
“Maximus!” I look down and see the guys all looking up at me. “We’ve tied something to the end of the rope. Jason will throw it up to you. Once you catch it, you should be able to pull it up. No problem,” Sean shouts. I hold up a thumb and squat down, ready.
“Okay, this may take a few warm up throws,” Jason calls before spinning the rope, and everyone steps back to avoid getting hit. The first throw doesn’t even get halfway up the house, and I can’t miss the opportunity to mock him.
“Calvin, can Luna come and give her Uncle Jason some help?”
“Fuck off prick, I’d like to see you try this!”
“I don’t need to; I just climbed up the side of a building, jackass,” I yell, smirking at my brother, who’s shaking his head and muttering to himself. I can’t hear him up here, but from the way Sean starts laughing, I know it was taking the piss out of me. Jason smiles at him before he tries again to throw the rope up. It gets much higher this time, but it is still not enough to reach me. Jason curses under his breath and takes a step back before lengthening the amount of rope he’s holding and starts to swing it again. This time, when he lets go, it flies straight for me, and I manage to catch it, even if only just.
“Got it!” I call out as I start pulling the bucket up to me. I have to stop a few times as I nearly lose the contents as the wind picks up and makes the bucket swing. Eventually, though, I have it up with me.
I pull everything out and work out the best way to carry it all. My pockets are only small in my sweatpants, and I will need both hands to climb to the window.
I look down at my brothers once I’m confident I have everything in place and won't drop it all.
“Stand back; I don’t want to fall on any of you.”
“You won’t fall,” Jason calls up.
“Christian, I hope you’ve replaced my bourbon because I will need a drink after this!” I call down as I start to get my fingertips into the holes in the bricks.
“There is a brand new bottle that was delivered today,” he laughs as I lift myself higher.
“Why didn’t you start with that? I would be in there already!” I stop and look down at my brothers, who all look small as they shield their eyes from bright outdoor lights. “Don’t tell Shorty I would have saved the bottle before her. I like my balls where they are and don’t want to give her a reason to pour this one away.” They all start laughing as I get closer to the window.
My arms are killing me, and my fingers are bleeding, but nothing is going to stop me from getting to my girl. I know she will be putting on a brave face, but inside, she will be terrified. That’s the type of woman she is. She would rather everyone thought she was fearless and strong than admit she was scared.
When I finally get underneath the window, I take my time to examine the shutter.
“There's a car jack holding the shutter open,” I call out. “One on each side.”
“Blood is going to be spilt when I get my hands on the fuckers that did this,” I hear Christian curse. I will happily help him. I don’t know what we need to do to clarify that our Jasmine is not to be touched. I will kill every fucker if it means she will be safe.
Looking at the jacks, I notice some material hanging from one of them.
“How the fuck did they get up there? That’s what I want to know,” I hear Jason asks below. I am about to tell them to shut up so I can think, and then something flashes in my peripheral vision. Looking in that direction, I notice a hook sticking into the wall above the window, answering the question. It’s climbing equipment. They must have used the ladder and attached themselves with rope while getting everything in place. How the fuck weren’t they seen?
I try to get a feel for where to put my feet next, but there's nothing. This is what I was scared of; I would have to rely on my upper body strength. It’s also why I asked them to send up extra screwdrivers.
“If you can’t do it, turn around. You’ve got a damn sight higher than any of us could have,” Jason calls.
“I can do it; it's just …” I stop partway through and decide to just go for it. Taking hold of a screwdriver in one hand, I let go and swing my body, using the momentum to get higher. Slamming the screwdriver into the concrete between bricks, I test it; thankfully, it stays in place. Once one screwdriver is secure, I do the same with the next. Once that one is secure, I go back a little and start climbing until I’m able to grab hold of the drainpipe that runs down past the window. Praying it doesn’t come away from the wall; I climb up it until I’m at the same level as the windowsill. Taking a deep breath, I grab hold of the wooden sill with one hand and pull myself onto it.
“You clever bastard!” I hear Jason shout below, but I’m too focused to reply. I use the screwdrivers I shoved into the wall to take some of my weight as I stand on them while keeping as much weight as possible on the windowsill, knowing the screwdrivers won’t hold for long.
I move until both feet are on them and I’m in the best position underneath the window. With difficulty, I shuffle another screwdriver out of the sleeve on my hoodie where I had hidden it. As soon as it's in my hand, I know I only have a few seconds to make a real difference.
Everyone is deadly silent below. I can feel all their eyes on me as I close mine for a second, let out a deep breath, swing one arm up over my head and slam the point of the screwdriver into the corner of the window. The whole pane shatters but remains in place as I expected.
By now, my arms are screaming as I hold on with both of them, trying to keep as much weight off the supports at my feet, knowing they will bend. The screwdriver is lodged into the glass, and I know I still need to remove the broken pane and break the second. With one hand, I reach up and put some of my weight onto the windowsill, but instantly, I know it won't hold much longer.
“Go back, and we will work something else out!” Sean calls.
“No, I can do this!” I call back as I manage to press my feet against the wall to take some of the pressure off my arms. It's not much, but it may buy me a little time, even if it's only seconds. Acting quickly, I grab the hammer from the side of my sweats and hit the window as hard as I can from this angle. It's not great, but some of the glass falls out, which makes it easier to get to the next pane.
Not giving my body time to give up, I swing the hammer again, shattering the second sheet of glass, but the next blow does nothing. Reaching up, I knock as much of the glass from the window frame as possible before using it to hold on to. As soon as I hold the plastic frame, I know I have a better grip and will be able to do more damage now. I’m still at risk of falling, but the likelihood has dropped. Gripping the window frame and cutting my hand in the process, I pull myself up higher so I can use my left arm as an anchor while throwing as much force as possible into my right. I hit the window with the hammer again. This time, the glass shatters and falls into the room. There is still a lot of broken glass in the window frame, and I quickly hit it out of the way before pulling myself through it, still cutting myself all over.
I hear the others shouting and cheering below, but I’m not acknowledging them. I look to the camera on the ceiling and wave before heading to the panic room in the wardrobe. The door opens as I reach it, and Jasmine throws herself into my arms.
“You’re okay, Shorty, I’ve got you.” Burying my nose into her hair, I take a deep breath and let myself hold her for a minute.
“Did you just climb through my window?” she demands, leaning back in my arms.
“All part of the rescue mission, ma’am,” I wink before noticing that she’s shivering. I grab the blanket from the floor and wrap it around her before lifting her up.
“Can we get out now?” she asks as I carry her from the wardrobe and sit her on the bed after checking there is no glass on it.
“Not yet; Logan is working on it.” I walk back over to the window and look down at the others. “I’ve got her. She’s cold, but other than that, she's unharmed.” The others all seem to let out a sigh of relief together. “Any chance we can get out of here yet?” I ask.
“Passwords, Mum,” Christian calls up. I head over to the control panel before typing in our family code: the date of Mother’s Day, the year she died.
Almost instantly, the lock clicks, and I walk over to Jasmine to pick her up, not wanting to leave her for a moment.
“Let's go and see how many doors we can unlock. Hopefully, we can get the others in the less exciting way,” I wink at her as I carry her from her room and head down the stairs.
* * *
A few hours later, I’m lying in bed with Shorty in the middle and Sean on the other side of her. Neither of us wanted to be away from her tonight. The other two are still up, trying to find out what the hell happened and how things escalated so quickly.
As soon as I unlocked all the main doors, the shutters lifted, and everyone was able to get in. Shorty had been more worried about the puppy than she was about someone trying to get into her room.
“Do you think we will ever get a couple of months where someone isn’t either trying to kill one of you or kidnap me?” she asks from where she is resting her head on Sean's shoulder.
“We can only hope, Princess,” he smiles.
“I don’t think we have to worry about anyone taking you, Shorty,” I point out. Jasmine turns around, frowning at me.
“How did you work that out?”
“Because if they do, they will realise you are too much of a handful and bring you back within the first few hours.”
Sean bursts out laughing as Jasmine turns and slaps me across the chest.
“What are you trying to say?” she demands as I wrap my arms around her to keep her from hitting me again.
“That you are a complete brat, and you know how to push everyone's buttons without even trying.”
“You make it sound like a bad thing.” She leans forward until her lips are brushing against mine. “You love it when I’m a brat because you love nothing more than taking me over your knee. Isn’t that right, Maximus ?” My eyes widen as I feel myself hardening.
“What did you call me?”
Jasmine smiles seductively as she wiggles against my cock, now solid in my boxers.
“Maximus.” Her voice is seductive, and when I glance at my brother, I find him smirking.
Not giving her any warning, I lift her with me and throw her back onto the bed so she is flat on her stomach. Gripping her hips, I lift her ass before slapping it once.
“You are pushing your luck, brat. Last warning. What’s my name?”
She looks up at Sean, who shakes his head.
“Don’t expect me to help you. You do it to yourself,” he smiles.
“You are meant to love me, Sean .”
His eyes widen before a grin spreads across his face.
“Now you’ve done it, Shorty.” I spank her again, causing her to moan out loud. I look at my brother, who has moved closer to her. “Do you want to choose the punishment, or can I?”
“Tell me what you think, and then I’ll decide,” he answers.
“I’m thinking I fuck her pretty little pussy, hard, whilst spanking her. You can have her naughty little mouth, as we both know you love fucking her tight throat.” Sean looks down at Jasmine and grins.
“Sounds perfect to me.” He places a finger under her chin as I pull down her underwear. She’s already soaking wet. “Anything you want to say before I take away your ability to speak?” he asks her. Jasmine shakes her head, and I catch a glimpse of a smile.
“Then let us give you a reminder of who we are and what you are meant to call us,” I add before thrusting forward and filling her as Sean grabs her hair and fills her mouth, leaving her utterly helpless against us, just the way she likes it.