Chapter 40
CHAPTER FORTY
Nick
Shep drove to the library where Nicole had worked, but there was no sign of James or Matt. Angel went over to Matt’s apartment to see if for some reason he was there, but he wasn’t.
I was sitting on the couch in James’s stupid apartment when my phone buzzed. I put it on the table and hit speaker.
“Tell me you have something, Noel.”
“I might, but it’s a long shot. I went through all the tenants in the building. Thought something would hit, and he’d be hiding out in another apartment.”
“That’s risky,” Angel said.
“Right, but then I found something. A year ago a William Black passed away, leaving his apartment vacant. Funny thing is, James never rented it out to anyone else.”
I turned to Angel, hope beginning to flare. “What apartment?”
“Top floor, there are two apartments there, 801 and 802. Black was in two.”
“Thanks, Noel. I’ll let you know.”
“And, Nick?”
“Yeah.”
“I heard the scanner; police are en route to the apartment…Hurry.”
Without hesitation, Angel and I ran to the elevator. We got on and went to the eighth floor.
“You can’t break down the door, Nick. We don’t know what it’s gonna look like in there. If he has anything that could hurt Matt near him, he might use it.”
“We can get in the front; it’s the only way.”
“It’s not.” I was confused and Angel, clearly noticing, elaborated. “The fire escape. I’ll go downstairs and climb up that way. Wait until I give you the all-clear that I’m there—we go in together. Maybe I’ll be able to see in as well.”
“Okay.”
When we got to the eighth floor, I got off and Angel went to the ground floor. I went to 802 and kneeled in front of the door, my lockpick kit out, and my phone on vibrate. I would be ready to open the door on Angel’s say-so.
I pressed my ear to the door but couldn’t hear anything. I leaned near the crack, and realized it smelled like someone was cooking or had just cooked. This wasn’t a vacant apartment, and everything in my gut told me that this was where Matt was.
My phone vibrated with a message from Angel.
I’m at the window, it’s locked. I can’t see in, there are black out curtains everywhere. You’re gonna have to go in. Be careful. I’ll bust in if I have to, otherwise unlock the window once you come in.
I texted back, OK.
One last tinker and the click of the lock disengaged. Slowly, I turned the knob. As soon as the door opened, I could hear water running. It sounded like a bath. I peered around the door and no one was there.
As quickly and quietly as I could, I raced to the window and let Angel in.
Bathroom? he mouthed, and I nodded.
“Almost full, Matt. Now, I’m going to undress you. Can’t very well clean you with clothes on, can I? Don’t fight me, please. You can be a willing participant or not, up to you.”
“There’s no fucking way I’m going to be willing.”
I smiled as soon as I heard Matt’s voice. He was angry and very much alive.
“Such a shame. You’ll change your tune soon enough, Matt. Once you see how much I love you.”
Just outside the bathroom, I could only see the full tub. James and Matt had to be to the left. I didn’t know if James had a weapon on him, but the element of surprise might just be enough for me to take him out.
My gun in one hand, I held up the other to Angel, who was behind me.
One. Two. Three.
I pushed the door open, and it slammed against the wall. James jumped, knife in hand.
“Put the fucking knife down. I will happily shoot the shit out of you.”
“Nick.” I heard Matt’s relief, but I wasn’t taking my eyes off James.
“You aren’t welcome here.” James squeezed the knife.
“Give me a fucking reason to shoot you, please!”
James looked from me to Matt to Angel and back to me again. His nostrils flared, and he was growling.
“It’s over, James. Cops are on their way. You want to leave here in cuffs or a body bag? I’m a nice guy, I’ll even let you choose.”
“You’re trespassing! I’m within my rights to kill you.”
Angel chuckled. “Man, you aren’t doing the killin’ today.”
James’s body was coiled; he was going to do it, and I wasn’t even a little upset about it.
“Make your move, James.” I grinned.
He crouched and lunged. I shot but hit his shoulder. He tackled me to the ground and rolled us so he was beneath me.
“Matt is mine!” he shouted.
“Nick, roll! I can’t get a good shot,” Angel was yelling.
“Matt is not yours. He’s mine, motherfucker!” I punched him in the face once, twice—the third time never came, though. A piercing pain shot through my stomach.
“Nick!” Matt screamed, a shot was fired, and James went limp.
I looked down at the hunting knife currently sticking out of my stomach and blood blooming through my white shirt.
“Well, fuck.” I collapsed to the side.
“Untie me, Angel, untie me.” Matt was frantic.
“I need to help him, Matt.”
“Untie me!”
I wanted to tell them to stop all their yelling, but when I opened my mouth, nothing came out. My hands wrapped around the hilt of the knife.
“Do not pull that out!” Angel’s voice was full of authority.
I wanted to tell him not to be bossy, but then Matt’s beautiful face was in front of me.
“Hey, Mattie,” I whispered.
“You can call me that anytime you want if you live.”
I felt hands on me—probably Angel. Matt was smiling, though, and that was all that mattered.
“I told you I’d keep you safe.”
There were tears in Matt’s eyes, and I hated it. “You did, baby, you did.”
I hummed; my eyes were so heavy. “I’m tired.”
“Stay awake, Nick, please.” Matt grabbed my face. “Don’t leave me.”
“No leave…just a nap…I’ll be right back.”
My name was being called, but it got farther and farther away. It was fine, I just needed to sleep for a minute.