Chapter Thirty-Seven
ARCHIE
“You know, I could see the way she looked at you. Even back then.” Ryan steps from the shadows, blocking my path. “It shouldn’t surprise me.”
I stop in the hallway. Everything is supposed to be happening in the basement, but he’s not down there yet. I know there’s a restroom nearby I can pretend to go to until he heads down there. But this? It’s like he was waiting for me.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I lie.
He laughs and his eyes darken. “Yeah, you do. You’re all I ever heard about, especially from her parents.
My God! They wouldn’t shut up about how much they loved you.
Even at our wedding, the best friend. I suppose it was only a matter of time before she wanted a divorce.
It’s not like she could get pregnant and give me the one thing she was supposed to be good for.
” He spits it out like venom. “Hope you aren’t planning on starting with a family with her, she’s useless. ”
This asshole. I bike back what I want to say. He never deserved her and he never needs to know the truth of what happened in the end.
He steps closer to me. “Yeah, you probably have your own issues. Men in the military normally do.”
I know he means to offend me, but his insults don’t bother me. Not when it comes to me directly. I served my time and met some of the bravest and genuine people while serving.
“See you around.” He chuckles and walks back into the shadows.
Like it’s his creepy little hiding hole.
I keep my face straight and make my way to the bathroom. Once inside, I pull out my phone to text my team.
Me: Someone have eyes on Tabitha?
Brian: I do. I’m not letting her out of my sight.
Me: Ryan is in the hallway outside the South bathroom. I stepped inside to not make it obvious we’re on to him.
Tyler: The team is already in place downstairs.
We have two downstairs acting as servers for the underground event.
Along with a few undercover agents Tyler has been in contact with thanks to Ryan’s mom.
I still can’t believe his mom is throwing him and his father under the bus.
You’d have to massively screw up to not have your own mom watching your back.
James: Everyone is in position. I’m headed to the elevator now. Ryan hasn’t come back to the main area. Give yourself two minutes, then head down, Arch.
It’s almost over. I stare at my watch, watching the seconds pass by slowly.
Two minutes, I steady my breathing and think of Tab.
It’s hard to believe it’s only been a little over a month since I took the assignment.
One month of being her bodyguard and fighting my feelings and regrets.
A month of learning who she’s turned into over the last ten years and falling even more in love with her. I didn’t think it was possible.
Two. Minutes.
I’m out the door, my pace steady as I walk down the hall. I approach the elevator just as the doors open and reveal James.
“Everyone is in position.” He speaks once the doors have closed and they make their way down to the basement level.
My phone buzzes in my pocket and I pull out to see a text from Brian.
Brian: Tabitha went to the restroom, but she hasn’t come back out. It’s been too long. Keep an eye out incase she decides to not stay in the main area like she’s supposed to.
“Fuck.” I mutter and show James the message.
James runs a hand down his face. “She never was good at following orders. Have fun with that one.” He chuckles, but then his eyes soften. “Man, she’s going to be okay.”
I nod. She has to be.
When the doors finally open, it’s not a sight I was expecting to see. Maybe another party, or one that even seems more unhinged. Not a full blown battlefield of men in suits and women in risqué clothing. Feathers float in the air as smoke rolls the floor.
“What the fuck?” Brian stiffens next to me.
We step out of the elevator but don’t move forward. Not when we see guns being raised. My hand hovers over my own, hidden at my side under the suit.
“Freeze.” I see a man yell and hold up a gun to Ryan across the room.
Shots are fired.