Chapter 33 #2
I notice my slip the second the words leave me, but I don’t want to take them back.
I don’t know when it happened, but sometime over these past few weeks, Tink has managed to break through my defenses, firmly burrowing herself under my skin.
She’s given me a new purpose. A reason to live again, and even though I know it’s fast, worrying about her these past seventy-two hours, wondering what she’s going through or whether she’s even still alive, made me realize that I don’t want to live without her.
“You love me?” my little warrior asks in an awed whisper, sniffing back her emotions and looking at me like I just gave her the most precious gift. I touch my forehead to hers and briefly allow myself to wallow in this moment.
Caught in the forest green of her eyes and marveling at the surprise turn my life has taken, I rasp, “Fuck, baby, I do. Which is why I’m about to call Chief Moseley to let him know where to find us,” I tell her, making my choice and pulling back to gauge her reaction.
“As much as I want Jason dead for what he’s done to you, I’m not about to gamble with your life.
Your safety is my number one priority. I’ll figure out a way to deal with your ex later. ”
“You love me,” she repeats like she’s having a hard time believing this is real as a dopey smile plays on her bruised lips. I shake my head, unable to hold back my own grin, despite the gravity of the situation.
“Yes, Tink. I fucking love you. God knows I tried to fight it, but between your snarky personality and the way you lay into me whenever I’m being an ass, I couldn’t help but fall for you. What can I say? I’m a sucker for punishment.”
Charlie gives me a watery laugh and presses a soft kiss to my lips. A few silent heartbeats pass before I force myself to break our connection.
“All jokes aside,” I tell her, as she visibly attempts to get herself together.
“You saved me from a lifetime of loneliness and misery, and once we get you out of here, I’m handing in my resignation and starting over with you.
You’d better get used to having me around because I’m not going anywhere. ”
“That’s good, because I was already compiling a list of reasons to convince you to stay.
Knowing my time with you was running out just about killed me.
I tried to play it off because I didn’t want to risk scaring you away, but I think I’ve loved you for a while now,” she admits, chin wobbling with emotion.
“You might be a major pain in my ass, and you drive me crazy most of the time, but you showed me that there are good, honest men left in this world. You made me believe I can have it all, and you have no idea how much that means to me.”
“Aw. Isn’t that just the most heartwarming thing I've ever heard?” The gravelly voice has my head whipping around, and I’m on my feet in two seconds flat.
Both of our weapons are pointed at each other, and I silently curse myself for getting so distracted that I didn’t hear him sneak up on us.
I make sure my body is positioned in front of Charlie, who looks at Jason with a fearful expression.
“Nice of you to stop by. Been waiting for you to break away from your pack of rookie cops and figure it out. Took you longer than expected, but I finally have you exactly where I want you, Agent.” He uses my title like it offends him, and I tilt my head to the side while I consider my next move.
Despite Charlie’s palpable terror whenever she talked about the monster of her past, the man himself is less than impressive.
He’s lean, almost scrawny in nature, and barely comes up to my chin.
Physically, he doesn’t look like he’d pose much of a threat, but I’ve underestimated my opponent before, and I’ve learned from my mistakes.
“Figured I’d save us both some time. We’ve been dragging this meeting out long enough, don’t you think? Now, why don’t we both lower our guns and handle the situation like real men?”
Jason’s upper lip peels back, revealing a row of straight pearly whites, framed by gold canines. You’ve got to be fucking shitting me. Who does this motherfucker think he is? Ludacris?
“Or, and hear me out. You hand over that gun… real slow… and then I’ll teach you that touching another man’s property has consequences?”
I huff out a laugh. “Cute. And how exactly are you going to do that?” I ask, confident in my ability to take him down without ever breaking a sweat. This smug prick may think he stands a chance, but there’s no way he can take me on and come out on top. I’m a trained government operative.
I was born for this shit and the Wish version of Jax Teller over here, sure as fuck won’t be the one to end me.
Have to admit, though, the knowing smile on his face makes me a tad uneasy, and I can’t shake the feeling that I’m missing something.
I realize just what that something might be when the unmistakable sound of a second and third gun being cocked reaches me.
Dropping my chin to my chest, I take a deep inhale before I bite the bullet and cast a glance over my shoulder.
Razor and another guy in a now familiar leather cut are positioned on either side of the back door, wearing matching expressions of boredom, like I’ve made this whole thing way too easy for them, and they really hoped I’d pose more of a challenge.
I understand the sentiment. I’m disappointed, myself.
Furious, really, for not even considering the possibility that Jason might not be working alone. What a fucking dumbass.
Charlie’s choked whimper draws a sound of frustration out of me.
If I were on my own, I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot my way out of this clusterfuck of a situation, consequences be damned.
I’ve survived worse odds against people far more dangerous.
But Tink getting caught in the crossfire is something I just can’t risk.
I’d never forgive myself if she ended up taking a bullet meant for me.
Blowing out a resigned sigh, I do the only thing I can do given my lack of options.
I lower my weapon. Raising my hands in a show of surrender, I fold forward slowly.
I set my gun on the ground and kick it over to a gloating Jason, who snatches it up and tucks it into the waistband of his jeans without checking the safety.
The thought of it going off and blowing his balls to smithereens briefly lifts my spirits, but I sober quickly when he flicks his chin at his goons and begins barking orders like a drill sergeant.
“String him up. I’ve been waiting to teach you a lesson ever since you first showed up, making googly-eyes at my woman, and I’m sure looking forward to hearing you scream like the little bitch you are.”
I don’t fight it when his lackeys grab an arm each and drag me to the center of the room.
There’s no point. I’m already fucked, and we all know it.
Once my hands are secure, Razor throws the other end of the rope into the air and over a rafter in a practiced move Indiana Jones would be impressed by.
The remaining length hits the floor with a heavy thud, and goon number two picks up the slack, pulling so hard he almost dislocates my shoulders before wrapping it around a nearby beam.
Charlie’s pleading with her ex, and I follow him with my eyes, barely keeping myself from snapping my jaw at him like a rabid animal when he passes me and pinches her chin between his thumb and index finger.
“Here’s the deal, sweetheart. You keep that whore mouth shut while I teach your little plaything what it means to cross us. Keep begging, and it’ll just make it worse for him. Are we clear?”
Tears leak from Charlie’s good eye as she gives him a defeated nod, and the son of a bitch pats her bruised cheek harder than necessary.
That’s the moment I promise myself I’ll do everything in my power to get out of this alive, because the pleasure of ripping out his jugular with my teeth is mine, and mine alone.
Jason comes over and takes his time testing the rope before he looks at me with sick anticipation.
“Now, let’s have some fun, shall we?” His face is a mere inches from my own, and I recoil at the rank odor wafting from his mouth. I’m beginning to realize his ridiculous dental bling may not simply be a matter of bad taste, but a sign of poor oral health.
“Before we get too far into this, I feel like there’s something I should tell you.”
“Oh yeah. What’s that?” the scrawny biker asks, one eyebrow raised in question.
“I get the impression you’re really pumped about spending some one-on-one time with me, and even though I’m flattered, I do feel inclined to let you know that I’m not into dudes. I hope I’m not hurting your feelings here, but I gotta say, man, even if I were, I think I could do better.”
I don’t have time to brace myself before his fist collides with my cheekbone and my head snaps to the side. I hate to admit it, but that lanky asshole packs a hell of a punch. I take a moment to shake off the cobwebs before I find his glittering gaze once more.
“You like it rough, huh? Not all that surprising, seeing as your ex-fiancée uprooted her whole life just to get as far away from you as possible. Fortunately for you, I quite enjoy a little love tap, but I’m a hands-on type of guy.
So, how about we even the playing field a bit?
” I taunt. “Untie me. Let’s see if you’re still such a big man when you’re up against someone your own size. ”
“You really think that’s fair? You with all that fancy training…” he breaks off with a scoff before his expression hardens once more. “I’m not the fool you’re hoping I am. And let’s not pretend you didn’t ask for this when you laid a hand on what’s mine.”
“She stopped being yours the moment you chose to prioritize your sick urges over her well-being. Someone like you doesn’t deserve the love and devotion of an extraordinary woman like Charlie, and we both know it.”