Chapter 47 #3
That moment had slammed me back to the gods forsaken night twelve years ago.
It was a constant terror relived whenever someone I care for is put in danger.
Me standing in the doorway to the house, scared stiff and unable to do anything but cry.
The crash and shatter of furniture and dishes breaking and toppling.
My mother gurgling and choking on her own blood.
The gut-wrenching cry from my father that effectively destroyed the image of invincibility I thought my parents to be.
"Kind of," the rogue replies. He shakes his head again. "He did say that if I don't hear from him, he's either in deep trouble or dead."
The heads exchange a series of curious glances that confirm they're on track to where my thoughts are at the moment.
Alpha pipes up. "What's his name?"
"Melvin Briggs," the rogue supplies. "I'm begging you. Please help him if you find him. If he's...alive."
"What about the person who hired you?" I ask. My arms are crossed over my chest tight because I need to do something to stay calm.
Christopher drums his fingers against the table. The links of his iron manacles clink. "I never met the guy. I only saw him from a distance. And I heard his name in passing."
When he pauses again, my irritation amping up alongside my desperate need to see or hear from Jace, a muscle thumps in my jaw. My fists clench. "What are you shutting up for? Don't forget the deal, Weis."
Christopher shrugs. "He was a big dude. Old, by the wrinkles I saw on his face. Or at least, on what I could see of his face. He kept most of it hidden and wore those annoying aviators with the reflective lens that reflects everything within the vicinity."
"And his name?" Dad queries.
"They call him J."
"Like a nickname or the letter?" Dad follows up, scribbling notes onto the first page of Christopher's file.
"The letter," he informs. "Saw it on a package he collected once. I don't know what was in it. I don't have access to information like that."
"And that's all?" Beta Chad asks.
The rogue nods regretfully. "I'm sorry, but that's all I have at the moment. Is it going to do anything?"
"It's better than nothing," Alpha muses. He looks back at the rogue. "This J person," he follows up, "is the same person who hired you and your family friend?"
Christopher nods. "Yes. Do I have you word that you'll extend a protection order for my friend?"
Alpha glances at Beta Chad. A silent communication passes between them and then Alpha says, "You have my word."
With nothing else to be said, I slip out of the cell, hearing Beta Chad inform the rogue that he'll be transferred into protective custody within the hour. My stomach churns and roils. Blood rushes to my ears.
It's getting difficult to breathe and it suddenly feels like the rock walls are growing smaller with each step.
I stumble, tripping over my feet and crashing against the wall outside the gate to the hallway of interrogation cells, bowing over.
I force air out through my mouth, palms pressing against my knees.
Goddess, what the fuck have I done?
Why did I think bringing Jace into my world was a good idea?
It's bad enough he's sick – maybe terminally ill – but now there's an added target on his back, all because he's mine and some deranged asshole who should be a rotting corpse hired someone to go after him and his parents.
He was a big dude. Old...
They called him J.
It's a mark of solidarity. To Jessop.
A hand clamps down on my back and I heave, gasping for air.
"Take it easy, man," Dale encourages, the complete opposite of the mess I've become.
My hand trembles as I hook a finger to the collar of my jersey, using it to wipe away the sweat the trickles down my face.
"Fuck! Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck! It's him, man. He sent that rogue after Jace."
I'm shaking so badly I can't stand still. I start pacing in a circle, a wild animal trapped in a cage of anxiety and fear. I'm backed into a corner and it's hard to breathe normally, still.
"Hey, calm down –"
"I can't!" I snap, tugging at the collar of my jersey. I make animated gestures while venting. "That fucker sent someone to Jace's house, man. If I hadn't gotten there when I did...fuck! I don't even want to think about what could have happened."
"Sky," Dale warns. "You need to calm down. You'll give yourself a panic attack. Let's go up top," he decides, pointing the way down the corridor that leads to the stairway.
As we climb the steps, he says, "The good news is, nothing too serious happened. You got to them in time and Jace is safe."
"Do you even understand the implications of this? I can guarantee you Jessop will try something again."
"I do understand but panicking and losing your shit isn't going to do any favors," he retorts.
Grunting in irritation, the blast of cool night air is a blessing in disguise because I can already feel myself growing calmer. Dale sticks with me as I continue walking, making a lap around the courtyard of the incarceration compound.
"I understand your worry," he continues.
"That shit creeps in so easily and it just gets worse. But that's how our world is. Especially for those like you and me. It's up to us to do what we must to protect them. But for the record, I think Jace is a lot stronger – braver – than you give him credit for.
I think he'll be alright when you decide to tell him the truth."
"Yeah? About which part? That I'm not exactly human or why someone broke into his house and tried to kill him. Or better yet, why he was chased through the woods by a fucking wolf."
Dale laughs, following me as I step off the asphalt courtyard and onto the grass. He sits beside me and shakes his head.
"Why do you think Jessop will try something?"
"Because he never got over his son's death."
Plucking a blade of grass, I twirl it between my fingers.
"Even if he killed my mother, that bastard won't be satisfied until he's taken everything from my father. I just have a hunch that this is far from over. And I have no fucking clue how to protect Jace from all of this madness."
Dale nudges my elbow. When I turn to look at him, he's got his phone in hand. "Call him. It'll help you calm down."
He's right. I've managed to stop trembling, managed to force that anxiousness into a state of quietness but until I know Jace is safe, I won't be getting any sleep tonight. The thought of him in danger, and everything that's happened tonight will haunt me even with eyes wide open.
I have a lot to apologize for. Chances are, he's still upset about Friday but if all he'll say to me is hello and goodbye, I'll take it.
MY HEART THUNDERS IN ANTICIPATION. It rings and rings and rings. With each unanswered trill, anxiety threatens to return in waves – slow and unsteady but sure. I start pacing again, clenching and unclenching my free hand, willing him to pick up.
I'm bowing over, halfway to the ground when it picks up. His voice comes through, warm like sunshine in the morning. Tentative but sweet like him. It's music to my ears and I breathe a heavy sigh of relief.
Pressing my forehead against the trunk of the closest tree, a quiet chuckle tumbles free.
"Fuck, baby. You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice."
There's a pause on his end of the line. I can feel what he's feeling through our bond. Nervousness and anxiousness but there's also unmistakable relief.
"Are you okay?" he asks softly, his voice carrying with the worry I feel coming from him through the bond.
Goddess, I love him.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"You don't sound fine," he replies.