Chapter 28 #2
A small laugh bursts out my throat. I clasp my palm around the stubble riding his cheek. “I love you,” I tell him. “Just promise if anything happens to me, you’ll—”
“Hell no.” He shakes his head. “We’re not doing that shit.”
“Enzo…” There’s a pleading in my voice because I need to hear him say it. “Please, let me do this.”
“Fuck, baby,” he grits, sucking in a deep breath as his eyes shoot to the roof of the car.
When his gaze returns, there’s so much torment within it.
“I’ll take care of him,” he vows, knowing exactly what I was about to say.
“You’ll never have to worry about that. He’ll always have me and your brother.
But I swear to God, Jade…” He palms the back of my head, gripping it tightly as he lowers his forehead to mine.
“You’re not dying on me. He and I, we both need you. ”
But there’s a good chance I won’t make it out of this. He doesn’t know the extent of my plan once I come face-to-face with the man who ruined my life.
“We’re here,” the driver informs as a heavy sigh leaves the both of us simultaneously.
“Goddamn it,” Enzo spits out as the vehicle stops about a quarter block away from the address Agnelo scribbled down, additional vehicles halting behind us.
I glance out the window, finding a silent street with nothing but trees, the forest seemingly endless under the singular streetlight.
We get out, as do the men from the other vehicles, all of them now circled around us. Enzo and his brothers had already sent men to scout the location and the surrounding vicinity before we arrived. There are no homes for miles, and they’ve shut down all cameras in a five-mile radius.
“Okay, this is the plan,” Dom says, his tone commanding. “Enzo will walk Joelle to the corner before she heads the rest of the way alone, with us taking our positions. You all know where you’re supposed to be. Radio for assistance if you need it and shoot every motherfucker who stands in your way.”
There’s a collective nod from the men.
“All right.” Dom’s eyes dart to each one of them. “Let’s end this.”
As they all disperse, I go to Elliot. With a defeated look, he throws his arms around me and hugs me tight. “You better not die.” His words fall with affection against my ear.
“That’s what everyone keeps telling me.” I let out a small laugh as we separate. “I love you, Elliot.”
“You too, sis.” He kisses me on the cheek, then moves to the rest of the guys.
Enzo’s there now, grabbing my hand and yanking me hard against him. With this damn vest on me, I can barely feel his body.
He touches around my hip, making sure the gun he gave me is still tucked in the waistband of my leggings, the oversized black hoodie covering it from view. We only had a little bit of time for him to show me how to work it, but I got the hang of it.
“I won’t be afraid to use it. I promise.”
“You better not, baby. He has to know Robby is with us by now. He’ll have no reason to keep you alive, and I hate that I’m letting you do this. It’s killing me.”
“I know it is,” I breathe, leaning over and kissing him softly.
His eyes fall to a close as our lips meet, then his mouth devours mine, the passion dripping from the endless vows of forever.
His hand holds me captive by the back of my head, his tongue dipping inside, caressing mine with every waking beat of his heart.
Though the kiss had only just begun, it ends just as quickly, ripping us apart, like the Bianchis have done to everyone who’s had the misfortune to meet them.
“I’ll be back before you know it,” I say with a torn-up smile.
“Not soon enough.” He inhales sharply. With melancholy filling my every pore, I take his hand as we walk toward the corner where the monster waits in a large, unoccupied warehouse.
I wish there was another way to save my friends, but there isn’t.
He must know Robby is gone, what other leverage does he have on me except Kayla and Elsie?
I bet they’re there with him. He’ll want to kill them in front of me before shooting me.
But what if I gave him another option? What if I offered something better in exchange?
Something he’s always wanted desperately.
Me.
I’ll kill the mic I have strapped to me and offer up myself to do with what he wants, even if that means death.
That’s been the plan all along. I’m ready for it.
I hope one day, Robby can forgive me if I don’t make it out, but I can’t let my friends continue to live a life of torture while I selfishly enjoy mine.
How could I let that happen while knowing I could’ve done something to help them? I couldn’t live with myself.
Enzo and I reach the end of the street, pausing on the corner before I have to make the rest of the way alone, only a few feet standing between me and the devil.
His hands ball into fists as his gaze cuts into mine, fear warring within those eyes, bleeding down his face. But he knows it’s a battle he’ll lose. I won’t let him stop me.
I fight the storm of tears pounding at the wall around my heart, knowing I have to hide them. I can’t tell him this moment may very well be the last one we have left.
“I’ll see you soon,” I say with a tendril of a smile. I kiss him slowly, those lips softly brushing over mine, reminding me of the moments of love and joy I felt every second we spent together.
Gradually, my fingers slip away from his, and with a last look into his eyes, I’m gone, marching away from him and a life we may never get.