The Gallows at Midnight

by Courtney Lynn Rose

  29

  ~Lily~

  Mission Day.

  “Baby, wake up,” Blake says as he trails kisses down the side of my neck. He knows I’m not really sleeping, but if this is how he’s going to try and wake me up, then I’m going to pretend just a little bit longer.

  Blake trails soft kisses up the side of my neck and gently nibbles on my ear, and as kinky as it is, it tickles, and I can’t help but laugh. “I knew you weren’t sleeping.”

  “I’ve been up for a while,” I say as I pull my hands from under the covers and wrap them around his neck.

  He kisses my lips several times and then rests his forehead against mine. It’s nice, the last few days, not fighting or having much tension between us. Lord knows I can’t say the same after mine and Dresden’s conversation the other night. I still feel bad, and he knows I’d never really kick him off the team or have him reassigned. At least I hope he knows that.

  “What time is it?” I twist my head away from Blake to look at the clock and he starts kissing my neck again.

  “Not time for you to get out of bed yet,” he says against my skin as he pulls the covers over himself and lies between my legs. “You can afford to stay here a few more minutes. It’s only noon and you didn’t come to bed until after six.”

  I lock eyes with him and raise my eyebrows. “You were asleep. How do you know what time I came to bed?”

  A smirk pulls at the corner of his lips. “I pretend to be asleep well too.”

  “Oh, okay.” I roll my eyes as he grabs my hips and without warning buries his erection inside me.

  My body arches and I moan, digging my nails into his shoulder. These are the moments that are too few and far between nowadays. Blake tightens his grip on my hip and moves faster, pushing both of us to climax quicker than ever.

  Every muscle in my body tenses up just before I spiral and hold on to him as he joins me. One of the many things I love about Blake is the way he doesn’t move after sex. It’s like he’s content to just stay right in this moment with me. After we calm our breathing, he pushes back onto his forearms and kisses me again, his tongue dancing with mine in perfect rhythm.

  “I love you,” he says in a whisper against my lips.

  I can’t help but smile. “Mmmm, I love you, too. Now can we go have lunch? I’m starving.”

  He lets out a bellowing laugh as he pulls out of me and sits back on his knees. “Yes. Now we can go eat.”

  After we’re showered and dressed, we head to the kitchen to find the rest of the team hovering around the island while Teresa is busy at the stove. I laugh to myself. I don’t know what they’re all going to do when life moves on and they don’t have this woman here to cook for them every minute of the day anymore.

  “Give her some space, vultures. Sheesh,” I say as I slide past her and grab water out of the fridge.

  “Hell no,” Dresden says leaning further onto the kitchen island. “She’s been making Paella all morning. I’m not moving until I get food. I need sustenance.”

  “Oh my god, Dres. You’re not going to starve.” I shove his shoulder and for the first time in months, he playfully bumps me back.

  Maybe he isn’t still pissed at me. I’d hoped my words the other night convinced him everything is good and there wasn’t anything to be suspicious of. I sit down on the stool next to him and open my water. Everyone is literally staring at Teresa, except for Blake. He’s on the other side of the counter staring at me with a stupid grin on his sexy face.

  I roll my eyes at him and take a sip of my water. While everyone chats, I lean over and press my shoulder against Dresden’s. He looks down at me, his features calm.

  “We good?” I say quietly so only he can hear me.

  He nods his heads and smiles. “Yeah, Viper. We’re good. No worries.”

  I breathe a sigh of relief. He seems genuine, so I’ll take it.

  “Okay, my starving little beauties,” Teresa says as she turns with a huge pot held between her hands. “Lunch is ready.”

  A ring of cheers echoes around the room as she sets the pot in the middle of the island before grabbing a stack of plates and utensils. Everyone digs in, myself included. Ah. I’m very glad that even when Blake and I get to have a normal life, I don’t have to give up Teresa’s cooking. She’ll always work for Blake, so I’ll always get to eat amazing food. Which is good because I’d die without her cooking.

  An hour later, we’re finished and everyone is hanging out in the living room watching TV and otherwise occupying themselves. It’s good everyone is happy for once, because tonight is the night, and come tomorrow, they’re all going to be pissed. I’m praying that when I come back from this mission, they understand why I’ve done what I’m doing. It’s not personal, just the right thing to do.

  I’m startled as Teresa clears her throat directly next to me. Her face is stoic as I glance down at her.

  “Everything is ready for tonight, Lily. But I have one favor to ask,” she says so low I can barely hear her.

  “Anything, Teresa.”

  “Make this the last time. I don’t like lying to Mr. Mason . . . or the others for that matter.”

  Before I can respond, she straightens and walks around the island to do dishes. I take a deep breath and rub my eyes. She’s right though. I’ve put Teresa in too many compromising positions over the last two years and while it’s been necessary, it still isn’t fair to her. She’s a good woman— honest and loving.

  If everything goes according to plan, this will be the last time I have to do anything like this.

  Hopefully.

  †††

  The rest of the day passed uneventfully, and Teresa made an all-out amazing dinner. While it’s been filling, she’s kept everything light, which is smart given the fact we’re about to dose everyone with a highly potent sleeping medication.

  It’s 9:15 p.m., and according to Sammi’s research the medication, if ingested, takes about thirty minutes to work. It’s tasteless, so no one will suspect anything until they start dozing off.

  Before anyone can get up from the table, Teresa comes in with a tray filled with champagne flutes. Each one is only filled about halfway, and I know the men will down those in one sip. Without saying anything, Teresa hands a glass to each person, and as she hands me mine, I stand.

  Thankfully, everyone has enough manners not to drink, but it takes a lot of energy to hide my nerves. I’ve never been nervous doing my job, but lines get blurred often when Blake is involved. I can’t stop staring at him as he glances back and forth between his glass and my face, his eyebrows raised in question.

  “It’s been a rough two years,” I say, my voice steadier than I thought it would be. “We’ve been through a lot in that time.”

  Most of my team nods in agreement, and I scan all their faces, choosing my words carefully. “Tonight isn’t anything special, but I wanted to toast us tonight. The closer I get to marrying a man I never thought would be in my life, the more thankful I am for the path my life has taken.”

  Blake stands and leans over to kiss my temple, wrapping his free arm around my waist.

  I smile and raise my glass in the air. “To us, to the future, and to the memory of the amazing agents and family members we’ve lost along the way.”

  “For Jameson,” Dresden says raising his glass toward mine.

  “And Samuel,” Sorina adds, tears filling her eyes but not spilling over the edge.

  To my surprise and luck, everyone drains their glass in one gulp before setting them back down on the table. Blake leans over and kisses my temple and my heart breaks. I force the air into my lungs, and for the first time have to stop from tattling on myself.

  As everyone sits back down and resumes their conversations, Teresa collects the glasses. As she takes mine, she leans close to my ear. “You’ve got thirty minutes.”

  “Thank you,” I say in a whisper as she stands back up and heads for the kitchen.

  I sit in silence, as everyone continu
es to talk, constantly glancing at the clock. Before I know it, Dresden and Vlad are rubbing their eyes, and Blake is swaying in his chair.

  Any moment now, and the medication will take full effect.

  A glass breaks at the end of the table and Sammi and I both jump up. Rhett is on one knee, trying to hold on to the table for balance.

  “What did you do, Lily?” he says going down on all fours before sliding to lie on the floor.

  I put my hands under his head and lower him to the floor fully. “Just lay down, Rhett. You’re fine.”

  Sammi kneels next to me and sighs.

  “Dres! Dresden!” Shannon is in full panic mode.

  I stand and quickly move to where Dresden is sliding out of his seat. Grabbing him under his arms, I lower him to the floor, and when I look around almost everyone else has lowered themselves to the floor. As I let go of Dresden, he grabs my wrist in an iron grip.

  “I knew you were fucking planning some-something,” he says, his words slurring together.

  “I’m sorry, Python. It’s for your own good though.”

  “What do you mean it’s for his own good? Lily, what did you do?” Shannon is leaning in toward me, her face red with anger.

  “I don’t have much time, Shan. I’ll explain later.”

  Before she can answer, I run over to Blake, He’s lying on his back, staring up at the ceiling, his eyes drooping heavily. I kiss the corner of his mouth and run my fingers through his beard.

  “Lil—”

  “Shhh, baby. I’m sorry. Just sleep. It’ll wear off in a few hours.” I stand back up and take a few deep breaths to fight back all the emotions raging through me. Teresa comes back from the kitchen, and without saying anything, she and Sammi start hauling everyone, carefully dragging the bigger men, into the living room.

  I run to mine and Blake’s bedroom and change into my work clothes and grab my bag out of the closet. Shannon is standing in the kitchen, her hands on her hips as I come back down the stairs. For the first time, I honestly think she’s contemplating killing me.

  “What the hell, Lily? You better start explaining, right now.”

  Sammi comes to my side and slips an extra gun, her gun, into my hand. “Just in case you need it.”

  I nod a silent thank you just as the hum of a helicopter echoes in the distance. As I move toward the front door, Shannon steps in my way.

  “Explain,” she says, her fists balled at her sides.

  “I don’t have time. I did this for them. When I get back, you’ll understand.”

  Gently I push past her, and even as she begins to scream at Sammi, I don’t look back. If I do, I’ll miss my ride, and all of this will be for nothing. For the next few hours, I need to focus on the mission, not on the team. Nothing, even with all this time to prepare, has helped me get ready to face who I know will be waiting for me.

  It’s time Jax and I have a little talk.

  30

  ~Lily~

  Nighttime makes missions easier to pull off. It’s the only comfort I have going into this alone. Part of me really wishes Dresden was with me. He and the others are probably giving Sammi hell right now. The sleeping medication should only have knocked them out for about an hour and I’ve been gone for over two.

  This is the smallest auction I’ve taken down— ten girls, seven Taurus members, five buyers— and, I’m still trying to tell myself Jax won’t be here. Reaching inside my pocket, the smooth plastic and metal panic button Sammi gave me helps still the rising fear in my blood. Coming here alone, even as small scale as this is, is dangerous.

  Picking the lock on the front door, my chest tightens, thoughts of Blake’s impending fury sweeping through my mind. It’s the only way, though. If Jax is helping the Taurus, it’s under the same circumstances as Sammi. He’d never willingly aide an organization like them. Not after what he saved me from. He couldn’t . . . he wouldn’t do that. That’s what I’ve been telling myself since I got in the helicopter, even though my gut is screaming otherwise.

  The door swings open with a gentle groan from the metal hinges. The red emergency light illuminating the hall casts shadows off the walls. My heart pounds in my ears, them and my cheeks warming with the excessive blood flow. The duffel bag clinks softly on the concrete floor.

  Fishing out the long rope, my fingers move with hardly a thought, tying each doorknob together. This building is set up much like the one Dresden and I did before. The windows lining the opposite hallway are blacked out. Crouched down, I move along the wall, the hair on the back of my neck standing up.

  Something isn’t right . . .

  I pull my guns from their holster, taking deep breaths before kicking open the auction room door. The wood splinters and cracks as it flies open and slams against the inner wall. The room is stark white and completely . . . empty.

  The last thing I should do is move any further into this room. Regardless of how empty the building seems, there’s no way someone sent me to the wrong location. This entire place smells of a trap. My stomach drops as I spin around toward the exit.

  Jax blocks the doorway, his eyes downcast. He’s in a skintight white shirt, no sleeves, and black dress pants. There’s no doubt in my mind his boots are steel toe.

  “Hello, Lily.”

  I swallow the lump in my throat, choking back the bile rising from my stomach. His voice is cold, callous, with not so much as a hint of emotion.

  “Jax.”

  Hiding my emotions is impossible. This isn’t the Jax I know or love. But, he’s in there. This man raised me, saved me. No matter how angry I am with him . . . he’s family. The only family I had for a decade. If I can get him to tell me what leverage the Taurus has over him, we can work together, and get him out and back with us, where he belongs.

  “I knew you’d come alone. Your emotions have started to affect your judgment.”

  “Why are you working for them, Jax?”

  He steps into the room, closing the door behind him. Every muscle in my body tenses, rooting me in place. Jax presses a red button next to the door. My grip tightens on my guns, keeping them targeted on his face. Loud clanking reverberates through the room, and a hole in the ceiling opens. A large hook descends, gently swinging back and forth in the center of the room.

  “Lily, Lily, Lily. My sweet, naive, Lily.”

  “Jax.” My hands tremble to match the shakiness of my voice. Why do I get the feeling I’m completely fucked?

  “Come on, Lily.” He strolls around the room, passing behind me to the other side. I can’t even turn my arms. Everything, every muscle, every piece of me is frozen. “Use your head. You’ve figured out harder things.”

  No. It’s not possible. Tears prick at my eyes, stinging them. Vaguely aware of my arms lowering, every memory of him and I flash through my mind. Little conversations I’d long forgotten playback like whispers in my ears.

  “It’s not true.” My hair tickles the sides of my face as I shake my head.

  “I’ve worked for the Taurus long before I became an Interpol agent. I’d hoped you’d join me on this side of the line eventually. Revenge can only take you so far, Lily. Running a ring though, well, you’d have ultimate control. You’d be rich beyond your wildest dreams.”

  “No. It’s not true.” I’m breathless, all strength seeping from my limbs.

  My guns clatter to the floor as my knees give out and I sink down onto them. Squeezing my eyes shut, I will this to be a dream. When I open my eyes again, I’ll be in bed next to Blake. I won’t have even left for this mission yet.

  “Yes, Lily.”

  Fuck. Shut up. Dream. It’s a dream. My stomach churns, nausea rising and hitting me in waves. Oh, fuck, someone make this stop. This isn’t happening.

  “See, you and the team never stuck around after infiltrating the auctions to see what happened to the girls. Yes, some of them were saved, but most of them were . . . redistributed, if you will.”

  My hand flies to my mouth as I double over, using my ot
her arm to hold myself up. The heaves start low in my stomach and each time I swallow back the urge to puke. I gasp as he grabs my hair and pulls me up straight, his knee pushing into the center of my back.

  “All that time you thought you were saving those girls. You helped the Taurus shut down damn near all the rival organizations and filter the merchandise into our hands. Oh, we owe you so much, Lily. You’ve helped us thrive over the last ten years. Too bad you had to go all— murderous with Dresden this past year. You’ve pissed me off just a little with your killing.”

  He shoves me down and my head bounces off the floor. Pain explodes through my forehead and temples, a grunt escaping from my throat. I could easily kill him and end this. I should kill him. He deserves it.

  “Why me?” Carefully, I push back up to my knees.

  Jax stands before me, cold fury in his eyes. They’re almost black with none of the affection or warmth I remember.

  “We’d never seen a slave kill an owner before you. They always killed themselves. But, you . . . you decided that even with everything you’d gone through, your life was worth more than his. Which means you’d fight extra hard to stay alive no matter what the odds were. The perfect assassin. Hate driving your reactions, your impulses. No emotions to get in the way. God, you were perfect.”

  He used me. Over the last year, I’d convinced myself that some outside factor caused Jax to send me into an auction alone last year. Numbness floods my body, truth bringing with it all the things I’d known deep down but never wanted to admit . . . Jax didn’t give a shit about me.

  “You still are perfect, baby girl. All you have to do is work for us. Leave Interpol behind. Be our assassin. You want to save Blake and the others, don’t you? What with Sorina getting older, and Shannon being pregnant. And Blake. I mean, you love him, right? What would you do to ensure their safety?”