6. Jacob
Ican’t remember if I locked the door behind me, and right now I don’t care. All I can think about is getting to Alex as soon as I can. When Emily called to say she was having a panic attack I knew I needed to get to her and make whatever caused it to go away. I won’t allow anything in this world to make her upset.
Pulling into the curb, I park and jump out of the truck. Em is already waiting at the door for me, her face creased with concern. “She’s in the kitchen and won’t come out until you’re here,” she explains as she moves aside to let me pass.
“Thanks Em.”
“Of course. And please let me know if I can help.”
Striding fast, I pass through the swinging door and see Alex sitting on a folding chair - face streaked with tears, terror in her face, and an anxious energy that I’ve glimpsed in brief moments since she arrived. In seconds she is safe in my arms. Her sobs simultaneously break my heart and steel it to do unspeakable things to whoever or whatever made her like this.
After a minute she composes herself and lifts her chin. “I’m so sorry Jacob, I didn’t know what to do and I realised I didn’t even have your phone number so I had to get Emily to…”
“Ssh, it’s ok. You did the right thing. But you’re gonna have to tell me what’s going on.”
Alex steps back. Every cell in my body wants to step towards her, bring her back under my touch, but I sense she needs the space for the story she’s about to tell. But instead of speaking, she just pulls out her phone and shows me a text. There’s no contact name, and no message history. All I see is a photo of Alex outside the market and holding a loaf of bread. Clearly this was taken today. Underneath are the words ‘found you’.
My vision is blinded by a rage that takes over me with a ferocity I’ve never felt before. Someone was watching my girl, taking her picture without her knowledge, and wanted her to know about it.
“It’s from Marco - my ex-boyfriend.”
My eyes fly to hers, and she nods to confirm I heard correctly. “We were together for four years. He’s… not a nice guy. He was angry and controlling, and expected me to play the role of the pretty but docile arm candy. Which I did until - well, until I came here.”
I already want to rip his throat out, but try not to show it on my face. “Why did you stay with him?”
Alex looks away and swallows. “Marco’s just a small time criminal, stealing cars and stuff. But his uncle is the leader of the Black Mambas, a drug cartel back home. Marco is desperate to get in, and won’t allow anything to hurt his reputation. That included losing his girlfriend. So he made sure everyone knew that I belonged to him, like I was property. I couldn’t go anywhere or talk to anyone without his approval. He would even read my text messages every day. ”
I struggle to keep my voice level. “What do you think he wants with you?”
She stares out the kitchen window, her voice cracking with emotion. “He’s here to take me back. Two months ago I overheard him gloating to a friend about stealing a ring to propose to me with. Just the thought of being with a man like him forever made me physically sick. I knew this was my last chance to leave. The next day I found the job ad for the school here, and applied under a false name. Then I took out what little money I had in my account, caught the midnight bus across state lines, bought my shitty car and a cheap new phone for cash, and here I am.”
Those beautiful blue eyes turn back to me, spilling over with silent tears. “How he traced me so far I don’t know, but he has and I don’t think he’ll leave unless I’m with him. I can’t go back there Jacob - please, don’t let him take me back.” At that she runs into my arms again, weeping. As I stroke her head and tell her she was going to be okay, I quickly come up with a plan. There was nothing in the universe that could take this woman away from me.
Alex clings to me as we leave the office, her eyes darting everywhere in search of Marco’s face. Emily sees my expression and comes straight over, awaiting instruction.
“I’m taking Alex back to the bar to keep her safe. Can you call Ethan and tell him to meet us there? And Lucas should be on duty at the station.”
“Of course. I’ll call Phoenix too.” Seeing the anger flare in my eyes, Emily stares me down. “We both know he’ll want in on whatever you’re planning, Jay. Put whatever childish beef you have with him aside and focus on what’s important.” She glances at Alex for emphasis. Well played.
“Fine. Call him too. I’m not leaving Alex so he’ll have to come to us.”
“Ok, fine. Go. I got this.”
With that I sweep Alex closer to me and walk her out of the market. I don’t let her go until she is inside my truck, and I make sure the door is locked before I leave to get in the driver’s side. She’s too precious to risk with a tiny mistake.
“Who’s Phoenix?” Alex’s voice was small, frightened.
The engine roars to life. “That’s a story for another day. Long story short, he’s the second in charge of the Vipers, the local bikie gang that lives in the hills. We grew up together and never really saw eye to eye.”
I feel her body go still, and I curse under my breath. Probably not the right time to mention that Emerald Springs has a motorcycle gang. “Don’t worry, he won’t hurt you. He’s an asshole but an asshole with a moral compass. And he doesn’t take kindly to anyone harassing women. Emily is right, he’ll want to help track Marco down.”
Alex shivers. “I’ve brought my chaos to this lovely small town. I feel awful.”
“Don’t. Not for a second. And remember what I said - we take care of our own, which includes you now. Your fight is our fight.”
She shuffles closer and lean her head on my shoulder. “Thank you.”
As I pull into the parking lot I see Lucas has already arrived. He must have been on patrol nearby, although what he actually patrols I have no idea. There’s barely any crime around here.
Except today.
Alex sighs in relief at the sight of the sheriff’s car up ahead, and I’m glad. After I park right by the door Lucas walks straight up to the passenger side door and opens it with his signature good-guy charm. “Hey Alex, I’m Sherrif XXX, but friends of Jay get to call me Lucas. Let’s get you inside and then we can talk, ok?”
She turns to me as if to get my approval, and I nod. “Lucas has been my best friend since we were two years old. I’d trust him with my life.”
With a relieved smile she gets out of the car and Lucas puts himself between her and the open road. He gets it. The three of us walk quickly inside and I start locking the place down - rubber doorstops jamming doors closed, locking windows, closing the blinds. Lucas coaxes Alex to the centre of the room and she fills him in on the details. At the mention of Marco’s family, his face pales ever so slightly. So he’s heard of the Black Mambas. Shit, this is really bad.
When they are done, he turns to me. “Who else have you called?”
“Ethan should be on the way, and Em wanted to bring Phoenix in too.”
Lucas raises an eyebrow. “You two gonna play nice?”
Alex”s eyes swing to me in alarm. “Why? What’s the problem?”
I shoot Lucas a shut up, dickhead look. “Nothing, just dumb teenager stuff. He stole my girlfriend, I beat him up.”
Lucas snickers. “You mean kicked his ass in front of his school and his dad almost threw him out of the club for being a wimp? Yeah, just that.”
“I hardly think now is the time for a trip down memory lane.”
“Ok ok, but Emily is right - he’s the right one to call for this.”
Just at that moment, Alex’s phone rings. Her face drains of colour. “It’s- it’s him.” Lucas and I rush to her, but I get there first and snatch the phone. As I answer, I put it on speakerphone.“Where are you, asshole?”
There’s a pause. Then a familiar voice comes through the line. “Jacob?”
“Ethan? What the- where are you? What’s going on?”
“Just meet me outside the bar.” Click.
Lucas and I exchange glances, then both turn to Alex. “Stay here.” Before she can argue we storm to the front door - Lucas stays out of sight with a drawn pistol for backup, and I walk out.
My stomach drops.
There stands Ethan, with a gun held to his head by a sleazy-looking city boy with pressed chinos and one too many shirt buttons undone. Marco.
“Jacob, I’m ok-”
Marco nudges Ethan with the gun. “I think I can take it from here, hillbilly. Where’s Alex?”
I take a step towards Marco. “That’s not your concern.”
“Oh, I think it is. She’s coming with me or this redneck gets a bullet through his skull.”
I think I’m going to throw up. “You’re never going to touch her again, Marco. Go home.”
A slimy grin spreads over Marco’s face. “Ohhh, you’re sweet on her aren’t you? Think she’s a hot piece of ass? Used to be an even better ass but she let herself go these last few years.”
Fucking asshole. Before I can say another word Lucas comes out with his gun pointed at Marco. “It’s over, dude. Put the gun down.”
Marco laughs like a cheap Halloween clown. “It’s not over until Alex is sitting in my car. Or this guy is dead on the ground. You’ve got about ten seconds to choose.”
I can’t think, I can’t breathe. My brain registers Lucas and Ethan talking, but I can’t concentrate. But one voice breaks through the brain fog.
“I’ll go.”
I whip around so fast I almost lose my balance. Alex stands there still as a statue and stares at Marco. Her face is resolute.
“Alex, no-”
“Let him go and I’ll get in the car.” She won’t look at me. Her lip trembles slightly, the only sign that she’s heard me. My heart tears in two.
Marco returns her stare, a triumphant smirk on his face. He waits, probably for dramatic effect, and then lets go of Ethan. Alex moves towards him.
I can’t help it. I reach out and grab her hand. “Alex…” I can’t think of anything else to say. I won’t say goodbye, because this is not our end. I refuse to let this be our end.
Her eyes meet mine and immediately fill with tears. She mouths the words I’m sorry before pulling her hand away. Composing herself, she moves to the car and gets in the front seat. The dark tinted windows mean I can’t see her once the door is closed.
Like the douchebag he is, Marco flips the gun around his finger before putting it back in its holster like he’s a goddamn cowboy. “It’s been fun gentlemen, but I think me and my lady will be off now.” With a salute, he gets in the car and drives off.
I barely register Lucas and Ethan getting me back inside the bar or pouring me a beer. Shock floods my system. I had her - my dream girl. The one perfectly made for me. My missing piece. And now she’s driving away with a Goodfellas wannabe with bad hair and a superiority complex.
“I’ve got a plan.”
Phoenix strides into the bar and claims the bar stool beside mine. I turn to look at him, and whatever he sees in my face causes a flicker of sympathy to cross his features. Just for a second. Then the steely gaze is back, the one that can stop a bar fight from ten feet away. That’s the Phoenix I need right now.
“How much did you see?”
“Enough to see Baby Boy with a gun to his head and the hot chick drive off with the sleazeball.”
Ethan groans at the sound of the nickname he hated since he was eight. I refuse to take the bait. “You’ve got a plan?”
He grins. What is with assholes grinning at me today? “Yeah. I do. As much as I don’t care about who Jay gets his dick stuck into, I do have an issue with mafia douchebags thinking they can come here and intimidate us. That’s a reputation I’d like to avoid.”
“So glad that my girl getting kidnapped aligns with your interests, Phoenix.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Your girl? Never heard you call anyone that, Jay. Not since Courtney and - well, we know who she chose in the end. Maybe this one will too-”
My fist connecting with his jaw finishes that sentence early. Ethan jumps the bar to hold me back, Lucas steps between us. “For fuck’s sake, can we have this dick-measuring contest later? Time is critical - we need to figure out where she’s going and start following or we’ll lose her forever.”
Lose her forever.That phrase chills me to my soul.
Phoenix rubs his jaw. “Like I said - I’ve got a plan. My rookies are already riding to every exit in the mountains to watch for that car, and the veterans are casing out every motel, gas station and bar within a couple of hours’ drive. They’ll report to me the moment they hear anything.”
And right on cue - his phone rings.