11. Ava
11
AVA
The safe house feels more like a gloomy jury room, filled with indecision as deliberation stretches beyond ordinary hours. Sam, Jack, and I still haven’t reached a consensus on how to approach tomorrow. The brothers express their concerns about me facing Willem’s men or even Willem himself. They’re proposing alternative strategies, but for me, there is no other option.
“I have to be there!” I insist. “We’re talking about my son’s life here. I’m not being impulsive or deluded. Willem wants me, so I will be there. And I will find a way, even if the two of you try to stop me.”
Sam says, “Ava, I understand, we’re all behind you, but?—”
“I’m heading to Clancy to meet whoever is waiting for me there,” I determine. I can feel myself becoming confrontational toward Sam, who has always been the voice of reason.
Jack steps forward and manages to calm me down. He takes a moment, then determines, “Ava should go alone.”
The statement leaves Sam speechless, his eyes locked on Jack. I can’t believe what I’m hearing either, but I know Jack will support me no matter what .
He explains further, “That property is away from the town itself. Yet it’s open. If we send too many people, it will only raise suspicion. Our best chance of rescuing Quinton is if Ava goes alone.”
“Are you crazy?” Sam protests.
“Crazy enough that our enemies would never guess what we’re up to,” he counters. “Ava should go alone, but we’ll wire her.”
“Okay,” I agree despite being rattled inside. So many things could go wrong, but this solo mission is something I absolutely cannot mess up.
Jack then adds, “And one of us should stay close enough to reach her and Quinton if things go wrong.”
“What do you mean one of us?” Sam inquires.
Jack takes a seat beside me, his fingers steepled. “Willem is not going to make this easy. When I was in L.A., I sat just a few tables away from him, and I could taste his thirst for revenge. He’ll make sure he’s the only one winning. He’s a man who believes everything revolves around him. I bet he’s going to deceive us. It’s possible that you won’t see Quinton in Clancy tomorrow.”
Sam inhales, contemplating. He reluctantly nods in agreement. “So what’s the plan?”
“The house in Townsend is their real base. That white van caught by the cameras from the nearby farm is the same as the van that took Ava and Quinton at the hospital. While the rental car used by the bearded man had been returned to a depot in New York, the group is still using the same vehicle. It’s how they transport Quinton around.”
Sam nods repeatedly while listening to Jack’s explanation.
Jack adds, “Yes, that Clancy property is quiet. No one would know if you committed a murder. But that Townsend house is surrounded by a forest. Missouri River is nearby if they want to escape another way.”
Sam seems impressed by Jack’s newfound knowledge of the areas, especially after teasing him about not being familiar with Montana. It’s amazing how much Jack has learned in just a few hours.
“I trust your instincts, Jack,” I say, showing my support.
“Now Willem’s men have two places to take care of. None of them are aware that we know about Townsend, so it’s likely that the place won’t be as heavily guarded as Clancy.
“So, who’s going where?” Sam asks.
Jack glances at me, heaviness hanging on his face. He tells his brother, “Give us a minute, won’t you?”
Sam smiles. “Take your time.” He brushes his brother’s shoulder and duly leaves the room.
Still seated beside me, Jack turns toward me, his expression tense. “I have a bad feeling about this deal. He will stop at nothing to hurt you. My life and career depend on my ability to read people, and I know I’m right about him.”
“He can hurt me all he wants, but not Quinton.”
I shift my gaze away from Jack, reminiscing the extent of violence Willem can carry. When that wretched man proposed to me, he painted a picture of an everlasting, unparalleled love between us. I had run away from him once before, but he seemed like a new man when he made that promise. It made me question if that was what true love meant—a man was willing to change for me, for us. But it wasn’t love, and I accepted his proposal because I needed help with my pregnancy.
Jack, who has patiently waited for me, finally speaks up. “I’ve never seen a man with such bitterness in his expression when talking about his woman. He hid it from his guests, but he couldn’t hide it from me. He will try to hurt you in the worst possible way.”
There’s no question that Jack is right. “Then we need to prepare for the worst. So, you suggest we cover both areas, meaning you and Sam will split up?”
“As much as I wish I could be in two places at once, I can’t. The decision is yours. Do you want Sam or me to accompany you?”
I want Jack by my side. But if Quinton won’t be in Clancy as Willem had promised, I want Jack to be with my baby when I cannot. I decide, “You go to Townsend. I’ll go with Sam. I’ll feel better knowing Quinton will be with you.”
Jack gently squeezes my hand. “There is no one I trust more than my brother. He’s just as good as having you with me.”
His hand is so massive that mine feels like a child’s when I return his squeeze.
We then inform Sam about our decision, and he’s fully on board.
Then Jack makes a request to his older brother, “Give me someone.”
Without hesitation, Sam replies, “Comet will be with you.”
“Comet?” Jack frowns.
“He once saved a toddler from certain death in Colombia, and he’s saved my ass a couple of times.” Sam pats Jack’s shoulder. “Good night, brother. Night, Ava.” Finally, that man gets the opportunity to go home.
I make my way into the bedroom. Elmo, who has been quietly observing us, follows me with his tail wagging.
“Elmo, bed,” Jack points to the doggy bed outside our door. The mutt gazes at Jack, begging for permission to sneak past and join me. “Let Mommy sleep.” Elmo obeys and settles down as Jack strokes him .
When I see the bed, my eyelids get heavy. A good sign. After all the sleepless nights, I’m on the verge of losing my ability to function.
“Baby Quinton will be with you tomorrow,” Jack says as he joins me in bed. “Believe that.”
I stare at the crib in the corner of the room. I’m sure Sam had included it in the house because he believed that, too.
The impending moment looms just hours away. Despite my sleepiness, my emotions are in disarray, raging inside every corner of my body. Icy numbness seeps into my bones, a reminder of the stakes at hand. I trust Jack with all my heart, but my mind betrays me, unleashing a torrent of doubts that twist my stomach into knots. Thoughts of Quinton, vulnerable and in harm’s way, haunt every second that ticks by. I am a wreck, shattered and broken, longing for the one person who can bring me solace. I imagine the warmth of his embrace, as it is the only remedy that can ease my torment.
After what feels like an eternity, I shift myself, sitting up with my face buried in my hands. Jack rises as well, his touch gentle upon my arm. But for the first time, simply being in his presence isn’t enough, and I struggle to find the words to convey it. If he were to ask, I wouldn’t be able to articulate anything other than begging him to fuck me.
To fuck me.
The rawness of my own words takes me by surprise. What happened to ‘comfort me’ or ‘make love to me?’
He leans closer, seeking perhaps a glimpse into my troubled mind. “You need to get some sleep, Ava.”
I turn to him. “I need you. Please.” My plea comes out more civilized than my thoughts. Aching for him, I press my palms against his smooth, bare chest. He hesitantly runs his fingers through my hair as if afraid of what he might discover. I interrupt his hesitation and tilt my head toward him, capturing his lips in a kiss.
He responds by kissing me deeper. Overcome by hunger, I let greed take over, sucking his full lips ferociously as if trying to devour his essence to sustain myself through the night.
“Sweetheart…” His voice, barely a whisper, breaks our connection. His hand soothingly rubs my back as if attempting to soften the growing separation between us.
But my desperation refuses to be quelled. “Jack, I need you,” I growl, determined to bridge the distance that threatens to pull us apart.
He halts my advance, his voice filled with tenderness, “Lie down.”
My breath quickens as I obediently fall back onto the mattress. My lungs take in air as if my life has just been renewed. The mass of his body envelops me, pressing on my distended breasts, making a moan escape my lips. His hand glides beneath the Belle T-shirt, eliciting a pleasant ache in my hardened left nipple with each tender caress. Giving in, I discard my T-shirt, granting him unrestricted access. When his mouth latches onto my other nipple, every nibble ignites a fire within me. This should be the moment I surrender control, letting him burn me as I’ve been wishing.
But the heaviness of my conscience bears down on me like a punch to the chest. It’s impossible to resist the allure of his skilled hands. Yet, my tears flow for the wrong reason. Guilt.
I release a pent-up breath, feeling his body retreat from mine.
Jack appraises me. “I’m sorry. Did I…” His words trail off.
I sit up, the sheets slipping from my body. What am I doing?
My face contorts, and my chest tightens.
“Ava, have you taken your medications?” Worries hinder the warmth of his touch .
I rub my sternum. “I’ll be fine. Just give me a minute.”
“Take it easy, sweetheart. You need to save up your strength for tomorrow.”
I turn to face him, feeling exposed as if standing naked in the snow. “I’m so sorry, Jack. I never meant to play with your emotions.” My guilt multiplies for both Quinton and him.
“Stop worrying about me.” His voice is firm yet filled with understanding.
“I don’t know where I am… I don’t know what I’m doing!” I slide out, leaving the bed. But Jack’s long arm stretches out to keep me in place.
“I understand,” he murmurs.
I shake my head, unable to believe his patience.
Jack pulls me close, burying his face in the back of my neck. “When I say I understand, believe me. I’ve known what it’s like to be trapped in a state of desperation when it felt like there was no way out. You never play with me, Ava. You’re being honest with me.”
“I want this nightmare to end, Jack.”
“You’ve got to believe,” he whispers in my ear as if casting a spell. “Quinton will be with you tomorrow.”
I try, but the darkness remains like a suffocating black net. “I’m scared.”
“Me too,” he admits. “But think about your fear as a bridge. Once you’ve crossed it, you will gain the strength to persevere. On the other side, there won’t be anything stopping you.”
My rigidness thaws. If fear can touch a man of his caliber, then my own fears are justified. Still, I need him to walk the bridge with me. “Hold me, Jack.”
He lies down, pulling me with him until I’m nestled against his chest. Then his arms swirl around me. So soothing that I’m weakening under his spell .
My lips press against his warm, gleaming skin as I add, “Hold me until morning.”
“My arms will still be right here when you wake up.”
Closing my eyes, I immerse myself in the comforting support of his broad chest. The rhythmic sound of his heartbeat resonates in my ears. His natural scent lingers in the air, drawing me into a state that’s as close as I can get to peace for now. At this moment, I understand why God created men. To shield and safeguard the delicate vulnerabilities that reside within every woman, no matter how tough she is. A good man recognizes this need and channels his inner strength to allow his woman to fall apart under the safety of his wings.