82. Zayne
CHAPTER 82
Zayne
“ F or the record, I fucking hate this,” I grumble as Delaney and Jaxson go over the plan again.
Jaxson looks up at me with barely concealed amusement while Delaney’s eyes lift from her mom’s drawings, brimming with sympathy as they lock with mine.
With a flirty smile on her lips, she saunters over to me. “You know you’re the only man for me.” She wraps her arms around my neck, pressing her curves against my hardness.
“I know. I’m aware I sound like a fucking spoiled brat. But I can’t help it.”
“I love you, you possessive, unhinged, spoiled brat.” There’s a teasing glimmer in her green eyes before her lips press against mine.
“Everything is in place, Zayne. You know I’ll protect your woman with my life.” Jaxson’s gaze locks with mine.
He’s my ride or die, and I know he damn well means it.
I blow out the trepidation with my long exhale. “I know. Still doesn’t mean I like it.”
“Shit has gone wrong for the two of you in the past. I get it.” Jaxson’s meaty paw moves to my shoulder. “That’s over now. You’re both adults. You’ve cleared the air, and she’s been training hard.” He nods at Delaney. “You have a brilliant, strong, badass woman you fiercely love. The rest of us adore her, accepting her as part of the King Morine family. Nothing will go wrong this time.”
Delaney smiles at Jaxson. “Thanks for the compliments.” Her gaze moves around the room. “All of you have become my family.”
“It’s hard not to be nervous when your entire life is on the line.” I squeeze her against me.
Delaney’s face shines with all the love she feels for me. “Once we destroy our enemies, we will get our long overdue happily ever after.”
I growl as Jaxson puts his hand on my minx’s back, leading her inside the coffee shop.
“Stop it, Zayne. It has to look convincing, or no one will believe we’re involved.”
“Can’t help it. Pure instinct.”
“Well, try. It affects my concentration.” Delaney hisses, her voice slightly breathy.
I smirk at my minx’s words. Bet her pussy is getting wet .
I frown at the thought, hating she’s with Jaxson instead of me.
“I’m yours,” she whispers into the wire before heading to the counter and ordering her coffee. My heart squeezes inside my chest every time she says those words.
Jaxson and Delaney are both wired and have tiny cameras on them, connecting them to me, Ryker, Luca, and Stryker. The four of us are strategically hidden near the coffee shop. We’ve also installed our new cameras in downtown buildings under the guise of upgrading the existing ones.
They sit at a table and chat about Delaney’s fifth graders. Then Jaxson grabs her hand, asking about her mom. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you. I was out of the country and had no idea what happened until I returned to the States, or I would’ve come sooner.”
“It’s fine. I understand.” Delaney pats his hand, her voice carrying through the coffee shop.
“Zayne, quit growling,” Ryker and Luca hiss in unison.
“I didn’t even realize I was,” I snap, noting the smirk on Jaxson’s face and the way Delaney is staring out the window, her shoulders shaking from laughter.
I grab my cell phone and send her a text.
ME: You’ll pay for laughing at that, minx.
She glances at her phone, then quickly texts back.
MINX: I look forward to your punishment, my future hubby.
Damn, I love her.
I speak into the device that looks like a watch on my wrist. “Everyone in position?”
The special team responds with a chorus of “affirmatives” in my earpiece.
I switch to the other channel. “You guys good?”
Ryker, Luca, and Stryker affirm they’re ready.
My muscles are tense, coiled for action, as I spot the figure slipping through the woods. I squint, my gaze laser-focused.
“You’ve got eyes on him, Zayne?” Stryker says in my ear.
“Affirmative. It’s Richard Warner. He’ll have others trailing him. You know what to do.” I change the channel so everyone can hear me, including Jaxson and Delaney. “He’s packing.”
“So am I.” Jaxson’s voice is smug. “Plenty of weapons and ammo.”
My eyes never leave Richard. “He’s heading for the front door. Prepare to give him access so he doesn’t know we changed anything.”
“On it.” Stryker’s fingers furiously type commands into the computer. “It’ll sound like the alarm typically does.”
I watch as he presses buttons and opens the door. “He’s inside the cabin.”
“We’ve taken out two of his men,” one of my special team guys says in my earpiece.
I don’t say anything, focused on Jaxson’s car as he navigates the road to Delaney’s cabin.
Jaxson reviews the plan with her, finishing with, “Pretend I’m Zayne, and you’re inviting him inside after a date.”
“Pretend he’s Jaxson, not me. You’d be naked and spread wide on the counter after inviting me inside.”
There’s a chorus of snickers as Delaney hisses, “Zayne. Stop it.”
I smirk. “It’s the truth.”
“Such a pervert.” She rolls her eyes, and my smile widens.
“I saw that. You’ll pay for that later.”
The grin on her face makes me hard, even as I focus on her safety.
“Richard hid inside the hallway closet.” Stryker’s calm voice says. “I’m switching to night vision… Okay, he’s sweating as he pulls his gun out.”
Delaney and Jaxson get out of the car, which is my cue. I step forward, hearing Stryker’s gasp as I press the barrel of my gun against Richard’s head, snatching the weapon from his hand.
“Zayne. How the fuck did you get inside the closet?” Stryker’s awed voice is in my earpiece, but I ignore it.
“Open the closet door nice and slow, or I’ll put a bullet in your brain, dickhead.”
Richard’s hand trembles as he slowly opens the closet door, murmuring, “Zayne fucking Morine.”
“That’s right.” I slam the butt of the gun against the side of his head. He falls forward, the door flying open and smacking the wall as he lands on all fours.
“Get up.” I kick his ass, and he falls flat on the floor.
Jaxson’s irritated voice comes from behind me. “You can’t do anything according to plan, can you?”
I smirk, watching as my minx yanks Jaxson’s gun from his holster and moves to her father. She presses the barrel against her father’s forehead. “Get the fuck up, asshole.”
Pride radiates from my chest as I watch her, prepared to pull the trigger before she does if Richard attempts to hurt her.
She’s fierce, her teeth bared as she glares at her father with murderous intent in her eyes.
The second he’s on his feet, she shoots his kneecap. I’ve already moved beside Jaxson, knowing she has it under control.
“Damn, you two work as one helluva team.”
“Her idea,” I say to Jaxson without taking my eyes off her and Richard. “She predicted he’d hide in the closet.”
“How’d you get in here?”
“I’d been piloting something with Ryker. Luca tested it with Keira, and it worked like a charm, so I used it.”
“Smart mofo,” he says in awe.
Richards’ howls and cries get on Delaney’s nerves. She smashes him over the head with the butt of her gun, knocking him out cold.
“Fucking whiny bastard. Crying like a little bitch now that I can fight back.” She rolls her eyes, moving to me as Jaxson goes to Richard, binding his arms and legs and taping his mouth shut.
“Thanks for going along with this.” She turns the safety on, handing me Jaxson’s gun. I’ve already put my safety on and have mine holstered.
“All Richard’s men are dead. The premise is secured,” I hear through my earpiece.
“Let’s take him home. Time for us to end this.” My lips seal over hers, knowing I have a prize far better than revenge.
The most precious thing in the world. Her.