Chapter 16
Poison
How does a heartbeat sound?
S omething is shifting inside me, and I can’t place my finger on it. All I know is my stomach is doing strange movements, and it’s becoming unbearable.
Maybe I'll finally do that checkup with Dr. Rio to check for any strange bugs inside me.
It's been happening for a while now, especially this morning when she woke up with her hair wild on her head and sleepy eyes. I can tell she was apprehensive about me because of what happened between us. I felt her warmth shift; her body language was guarded, as if she placed up her walls again.
It's why I wanted to speak with her when I gave her some tea, but we spoke about something much deeper than what I expected.
That also doesn't mean I forgot about how standoffish she became, and I want to know where we stand. To me, she's not some fuck and go—no, it's deeper for me. I want her for as long as I can have her. I want her to stay and be here with me and at the school. I need her by my side for good.
I won't shy away from it because that’s not me. When I want something or someone, I get it. And I’ve never wanted someone so bad that it made my head dizzy. My little snake won’t ever get away from me. She has taken up residence in my corrupt mind, my dirty soul, and I think she’s taken my blackened heart and colored it red. I’ll gladly rip it out and place it in her hand, leaking blood and all, if that means that she’ll have me, too.
After we disembark the jet, we all get into business mode, and the first step for me is to go straight to Jax’s place.
I pull up in front of a worn-down cabin in the middle of the woods. The gravel under my tires crunching as I make my way up the drive. The home of the desperate man. I park deep in the woods, but I can see the house plain as day; it’s not hard to see a wooden shack, worn and torn, like a tornado got to it.
It’s almost, almost , painful to see, but I can't find it in me to give a fuck, I’m here for one thing and one thing only.
The minute he says, “I haven’t found—” My gun will be narrowed right into the middle of his eyes, and the bullet will be lodged in his skull next.
If he calls my bluff regarding not killing him where he stands, then that fucking sucks for him because I don’t make ideal threats without having something to back it with.
Just like Victor.
We promised each other his death, and he will die. It’s set and stone, like a laceration on a hand tipped over for a blood oath. We want it, we get it. End of story.
After putting the vehicle in park, I reached over, grabbing for my 9mm handgun. I would have grabbed my shotgun, but I don’t want to startle him. Not yet.
I swing open the door, a gust of wind uppercutting me in the face. There's no joy to the cold, but it does take the heat from my chest, and cools it off, easing my impulsive actions, readying myself to tap on the trigger if Jaxy boy doesn't come through.
I said I’ll find him, and that’s precisely what I did. The best way to get to someone is to catch them off guard—it is easier to catch their fumbles and hesitations.
My boots scrape against the wood chips and rocks as I walk up to the house. I tuck the gun inside my wool coat as I approach the fragmented steps.
I skate my eyes around, taking notice of every little detail I see. I tuck my hands into my coat as I round the steps, then stand at the door.
I don’t need to wait, and I won't knock lightly.
Bang, bang, bang.
Three fisted hard knocks should get him perked up.
First there’s nothing, then the vibration of footsteps appears, the echo beckoning closer and closer and the grumble of him sounding out. “Jesus fucking Christ...?”
The door swings open, presenting the same man as before, only now he doesn't wear a tuxedo but black cargos and a shit green shirt. His umber skin pales, his mouth parts like the reaper appeared to claim his soul. It's the reaction I expected; he didn’t think I would find him. I don’t allow him to offer me in. I stuff my fist into my pockets while I step my boot into the foyer, making way in as he moves back with the dumbfounded expression.
“How did you find me?”
“I told you I would.” I turn facing him, my thumb knocking against the metal residing in the wool coat. “It wasn’t very difficult.” I take a brief look around his home, then turn back to him. “I won't waste any time with formalities. Did you get me what I needed?”
He nods with a deadpan expression. “Of course I did.” He moves forward, kicking past the crumbled paper on the floor, heading to the circular table placed a few feet beside the gas stove. Papers are spread all over the table along with cigarette buds. He ruffles through it for a second before pulling up a long white paper with drawings on it. “Here’s what we’ll need to get the kids. It was hard outlining it, but I did the best I could with what I knew. We need—”
“You keep saying we . I don’t remember involving you any further than this.” I cut him off as I steadied my eyes on him.
Jax raises his chin slightly. “I need to be there.” He closes the paper.
I glance at the sheet, then back at him, my thumb knocking harder into the steel. “Why?”
Instead of tucking the paper under his arm or ripping it to shreds, he hands it to me. Smart man. “I want you to trust me. I’m not here to cross you. I know how you operate,” he says.
He only knows half of what I can do, but I’ll let him entertain himself with that idea.
I extend my hand, and he places it on top. “It’s good that you have an understanding. Because it would be another tragedy for your daughter to be fatherless.”
I can tell that I pinched a nerve from the slight wince. “Does this mean that you’ll help me?”
Yes. We are. But he doesn’t need to know that. Even if I would’ve killed him right here, I would've made it my mission to find her, regardless.
He’ll know only what I tell him. Need to know the basis and all that. “First things first.” I roll the paper up and fold it into a square small enough to fit into my pocket.
“I’ll see myself out.” I slip it in, then I step toward the door. I’m done with the conversation and over being in here.
Without saying anything more, I continue walking, until I hear multiple steps and creaks behind me. I halt and slowly crook my neck to the side.
Jax has gathered his coat and already put it on. My brows furrow deep. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m coming with you.”
I put my hand on the door with a dry expression. “We haven’t established that. I don’t know you, nor do I trust you.” I have hundreds of kids to think about. I can't allow anyone outside my team into my realm.
“I want to see Victor dead just as much as you. I had to watch him do unforgivable things. I had to sit by and—” He stops, his fist clenching and his lips going taut to contain himself. “I know he knows where my daughter is. He conducts business with the Guerillas every month. Every time I attempt to get to them, they seem to disappear into thin air.”
The Guerillas. I’ve heard of them too many times to count. I’ve stopped many kids from being trafficked by their crew. The only problem is precisely what he said.
“And we don’t have much time. I’m going.” He takes a step, but my gun is already pulled, aiming at his head.
“Ah, ah. Don’t do that. I’m sure you want to live.”
I crack a toothy smile, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. The energy shifts as the lights flicker behind him.
He steps closer, the gun denting into his skin. Surprise hits me at his stupidity. The only person who’s willing to take that risk and not give a fuck...is me. I tilt my head, one upping him, giving him one more chance to think this through.
“I don’t need to ride with you. I don’t need to see where you live. I’ll meet you there. I have the coordinates. Because if not, you will have to kill me to stop me from going.” His face is rock hard. And his jaw’s set. It’s not fazing me one bit, but I am taken aback by his persistence.
He wants to fight.
I’m not looking for an extra hand. I have a full team, but to have another person who’s as desperate to rid the world of Victor makes it hard to not accept his offer. I cock a brow, my barrel still on his head.
“Aren’t you worried about what Victor might do if he sees you working with us?”
A murderous glint shines across his eyes. “He was going to sooner than later. It’s already three years too late.”
I must admit, I appreciate a man with little to no fear. He could be useful.
I don't need to ask him about his training. I've seen his background. He’s more than capable. But can I trust him? Fuck no.
“You're either brave or really fucking stupid. I’ll take the latter.” I lower the gun. “We’ll meet you there not a minute before or after. If you’re late.” I let out a steady breath, eyeing him with an unmerciful glare. “You get the point, don’t you?” I look at my gun before looking back at him.
His chest puffs out, glancing at the threat in my hands and the warning in my stare.
His head nods stiffly. “I understand.”
“Good job.”
And with that, I stroll out the door and shut it behind me.
Time to get these kids.