20. Nobody Touches One of Ours #2
Callahan grips the table. “Stay sharp. Nobody fucks with Aegis and walks away. Understood?”
“Understood,” we echo.
We rise as one, ready for war. This bastard has no idea what he’s unleashed.
The highway is dark, nearly empty at this hour, but my mind won’t stop racing.
Anger, fear, and adrenaline churn inside me as I drive towards Melina’s house.
Leaving her with Mercer feels wrong on every level.
Instinct screams he’s not the man for the job.
I should be protecting her, not trusting her safety to a reckless asshole like him.
My cell buzzes, shattering the silence. My heart seizes.
Security Breach: Back Door.
Motion Detected: Rear Perimeter.
My pulse hammers as I slam the accelerator, the truck tearing through the quiet McKinoak streets. Breath tight, vision tunneling—only one thought cutting through the chaos.
Get to her. Now.
Mercer should’ve called. Should’ve been on it. But my phone is silent. Where the fuck is he?
Another buzz—Steele.
I hit hands-free. “Tell me you’re seeing this.”
“I’m on my way,” Steele snaps. “You talk to Mercer?”
“Not yet,” I grit. “Calling him now.”
“Don’t bother,” Steele cuts in, voice deadly. “If he hasn’t called, he’s either down—or fucking asleep.”
Rage explodes in my chest. “If he’s asleep—”
“I know,” Steele interrupts. “We’ll deal with him later. Melina is the priority. Get in, secure her. Everything else comes second.”
I force a sharp exhale, fighting to keep control. He’s right. Melina is the priority.
“Copy. ETA three minutes.”
“I’m right behind you,” Steele confirms.
I don’t answer. Just slam on the gas. If Mercer screwed this up—if Melina’s hurt because of him—God help him. Because I’ll put him in the ground myself.
I rip into her driveway, gravel spitting as the truck fishtails to a stop. The alarm screams, lights strobing through the windows, loud enough to rattle the whole neighborhood. My pulse slams in my chest, vision tunneling. Nothing else matters.
Get to her.
I glance across the street. Mercer’s Raptor sits in the shadows. No movement. No Mercer. Rage spikes, but I shove it down. Melina first.
Gun drawn, I move fast toward the house. She’s there in the porch light, robe securely fastened, pistol clutched in her trembling hands.
I holster my sidearm in one motion, closing the distance. Gently but firmly, I take the weapon from her, tucking it into the back of my waistband before pulling her against me. “Are you okay? Did he get inside?”
She shakes her head, clutching my shirt with white-knuckled fists. “No. I don’t think so—I woke up to the alarm. I didn’t see anyone, but—” Her voice cracks, then sharpens. “I’m so fucking tired of this, Matt. Tired of being scared in my own house.”
I cup her face, looking her in the eye. “You’re safe now. Police are on the way. I’ve got you.”
Her breath shudders, eyes glassy with anger as much as fear. “Safe? When he can get this close?”
“I know,” I whisper fiercely. “But I won’t let anything happen to you.”
I squeeze her softly. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
Her gaze widens. “Matt, wait—”
“It’s okay,” I say quickly, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I need to go deal with Mercer.”
Confusion flashes, but her tone is sharp, angry. “Mercer? He was supposed to—”
“Exactly.” I growl, barely holding back the hatred tearing through me.
I pivot hard, storming toward Mercer. My fists are locked so tight my bones feel ready to snap. If he’s in there—breathing, unscathed—he won’t be for long.
The truck sits dark and silent, windows faintly fogged. Fury scorches through me, white-hot and merciless, as I yank his door open.
Mercer is slumped over, eyes closed, headphones dangling uselessly around his neck. His phone has been abandoned on the passenger seat.
He jerks awake, disoriented, before panic takes hold.“Mason?” he stammers, scrambling upright. “What the—”
“You had one job, Mercer!” I snarl, fisting his shirt and yanking him out of the driver’s side. He stumbles onto the grass, still half-dazed, but I don’t give him a second to find his footing. “One goddamn job! Keep her safe!”
“Fuck! I didn’t hear the alarms. I was just—”
“Asleep? You were fucking asleep!” My voice shakes, seething. “She could’ve been killed because you’re a useless piece of shit!”
“I fucked up,” he mutters, hands raised as he retreats a step. “I’m sorry, okay?!”
“Sorry?” I lunge closer, every muscle tense. “I never trusted you. Tonight you proved why!”
Anger sparks, shame curdling into defiance. “Maybe you’re too fucking close to this—”
“You don’t deserve to wear the same uniform,” I hiss, cutting him off.
His teeth clench, pride flaring. “Fuck you, Mason! I made one mistake!”
“One mistake? That mistake could have cost her life!”
I swing before he can get another word out, my fist cracking solidly against his jaw. Mercer staggers and nearly goes down, then snaps back upright, eyes blazing. He lunges, driving a hard shot into my ribs.
Pain explodes through my side, but adrenaline drowns it out. I don’t stop. We slam together in a brutal tangle of fists and fury, knuckles splitting, bone jolting with every blow. Each punch I throw is pure rage—rage that he risked Melina, rage that she’s more afraid tonight because of him.
Headlights blaze across the yard, tires screeching. Steele’s truck jerks to a stop, his door slamming before I register it.
“Mason!” he roars, sprinting toward us. “Enough!”
His arms lock around my chest, iron-tight, dragging me back. I thrash against him, vision blurred, breath tearing out of me as I glare daggers at Mercer—bloodied, panting, on his feet only by stubborn pride.
“That’s enough,” Steele growls low in my ear, edged with steel. “He’s not worth it. Melina needs you. Let him fucking bleed.”
Sirens wail close, fury burning as I fix Mercer with a murderous glower.
“If anything had happened to her because of you,” I spit, voice lethal, “you’d be finished.”
Mercer drops his gaze, blood streaking his lip, too ashamed—or too smart—to answer.
Steele loosens his grip carefully, ready in case I go for him again. “Go,” he orders. “Check on Melina. I’ll deal with him.”
I pivot, forcing myself back to the house—back to her. Melina stands in the doorway, pale and stricken as she takes in the wreckage I’ve left behind.
Guilt punches through me. She’s endured more than anyone should have to, and now she’s had to watch this, too.
Red and blue lights strobe violently across the quiet street, painting the houses in chaos. Two patrol cars screech to a halt, doors flung open before the sirens even cut.
The officers cross the lawn quickly, eyes sharp as they take in the scene. Their gazes sweep over Mercer, then to Steele holding him back, before finally locking on me.
“What’s going on here?” one demands, firm but measured.
Steele steps forward smoothly, blocking their line to me. “Attempted break-in. The alarm was triggered. We’re private security. The homeowner’s safe.”
The officer’s gaze narrows on Mercer. “And him?”
I don’t hesitate. “He was assigned protective detail. Failed. Miserably.”
His brows lift, suspicion flickering. He cuts a look at Steele for confirmation.
“Negligence,” Steele says tightly. “We’ll handle it internally. The intruder’s the priority. The homeowner has an active stalker—your precinct already has the reports.”
The officer nods, jaw tightening. “We’ve got units sweeping the area. We’ll need statements from everyone. Any charges here?”
My teeth grind, rage pulsing hot, but I force the words out. “No. It’s handled.”
Mercer wipes the blood from his mouth, breaking the silence. His eyes lock on mine, steady, defiant. “I fucked up. Won’t happen again.”
The officer studies him for a beat, then gives a short nod. “Alright. We need to speak with the homeowner.”
I turn immediately, both officers falling in step behind me, one hanging back slightly while the other moves closer. Steele lingers near the curb, keeping Mercer in check.
“Melina,” I say gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. “The police need to talk to you. Are you okay to answer a few questions?”
She swallows hard, anger and nerves still warring. “Sure.”
“Ma’am, can you tell us what happened this evening?”
She draws a breath, pulling her robe tighter around herself. “I woke up to the alarm blaring. I didn’t see anyone, but I heard someone jiggling the back door. I think they bolted when it went off.”
The officer nods, jotting notes on a small pad. “Did you see anyone? Any vehicles?”
“No,” she says firmly, her voice low but controlled. “It was dark. I stayed inside until Matt got here.”
He glances at me, then back at her. “Alright. We’ll sweep the property, check the back door for prints. Forensics will process everything.” His tone softens. “You’re safe now. We’ll have a patrol car sit on your house tonight.”
“Thank you,” Melina replies, quiet but steady.
The officer nods once, stepping aside to radio updates to his partner, who has circled toward the backyard.
Melina leans into me, trembling faintly, eyes wide with exhaustion. “Matt, I’m so sorry—”
“Don’t,” I cut in gently, pulling her closer. “You have nothing to apologize for. None of this is on you. I’m sorry you had to see that.”
She shakes her head, tears glinting, but her voice is edged with fury. “I don’t care about that. I just want this to end.”
I hold her tighter, pressing a kiss to her hair. “It will. I swear it.”
Behind us, Steele and Mercer linger in silence, tension still thick as smoke. The night feels endless, the threat unbroken—but my resolve is absolute. No one will touch her.