“When can she come home?”
“I want to keep her for a night or two just for observation.”
“I thought she was fine?”
“We don’t know what caused her panic attack…”
Before I could move away from the door Beau was opening it and looking directly at me. The anger I could read l clearly.
“We’re partners Jaxson that’s about it.”
“What happened to us being friends?”
“Yeah, that shit ended the moment you fucked my sister and put a ring on another woman’s finger.”
For the first time I was at a loss for words. What the fuck do you say to that?
“You broke her heart Jaxson.”
Again, I was at a loss. I know I did and there was nothing I could do about it.
“How much did you hear?”
Pregnant. She was having a baby?
“How far along is she?”
“Why the fuck should I tell you?”
Because it could be mine. I wanted to grab him by his leather vest and pull him close. Force the fucking words from his throat.
“Back off Jaxson.”
Jason’s cold voice had me turning and settling my anger on him.
“Stay the fuck out of this.”
“We need to talk now.”
His hand slammed into the back of my shoulder. It was the first time in months he’s made contact with me willingly.
“Outside Jaxson.”
He doesn’t wait for me acknowledgment instead he pushes past me and makes his way out of the room. Leaving me little fucking choice but to follow him.
“What the fuck is going on Jason?”
“Leave Sarah alone.”
“Don’t fucking tell me what to do.”
“You’re getting married so back the fuck off.”
“She’s mine.”
His laughter was hollow and something inside me shifted.
“They’re all yours?”
“She’s pregnant Jason.”
“And it's none of your business.”
Grabbing his white button up shirt I lean in.
“She’s my fucking business.”
He looked ready to fight.
“I have no fucking idea what your problem is Jason but get your head out of your fucking ass.”
Chapter 10
Sarah
I was in the darkness. Peace for the first time since that night Jaxson ripped out my heart and fed it to the fire. I remember watching the hungry flames devour it.
I know I was forced into this place, but I was thankful for it. Jaxson was out there with his brother demanding answers I could almost feel his anger as it lashed at my skin.
Was he going to play along and act like we had an affair? That I jumped from Jaxson’s bed into Jason’s? The real question was would Jaxson believe that of me?
I could hear the whispers in the room my brother was here with Emilia.
“Has he figured it out yet?”
“No darlin.”
“What’s going to happen when he finds out that she’s carrying his baby?”
“Nothing.”
“Beau...”
“No, he did this to her I don’t give a fuck if it starts a war.”
“Who the fuck knows what my brother will do? At one point I thought I did.”
“I won’t let him destroy what little of Sarah that’s left.”
I felt the shift in the air and I knew Jaxson was here.
“I need a minute, please.”
I thought someone would point out I was sleeping that I wasn’t going to be a part of whatever he was hoping to accomplish here.
“No.”
“Please Beau…”
I know Emilia meant well, but I wanted her to stand with my brother on this and not leave me alone with him. It was like leaving a recovering addict alone with her demons.
The sound of feet shuffling soon faded and I knew I was alone in this room with him.
“Sarah.”
Was he waiting for me to answer him? I wasn’t sleeping willingly you jackass.
“I didn’t mean for any of this shit to happen.”
What part the one where you’re getting married? Or the part where you destroy me?
“I love you.”
I guess the part where you’re getting married because you seem hell bent on destroying me.
Chapter11
Jaxson
Looking at her laying there in that white bed had my heart twisting. How the fuck was I going to fix this?
“Jaxson.”
Turning I look at Jason whom I almost didn’t recognize anymore.
“Alisa has been calling for you.”
Sarah’s hand balls tightly into a fist. Her face contorts in pain and I could almost hear the heartbreak as if it was a physical thing.
Walking away from her yet again was all I could do. Taking one long last look at her I walk through the door. Jason was right behind me.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?”
Turning I look my brother in the eye.
“Stay the fuck out of this Jason and stay the fuck away from Sarah.”
I needed to find a way to fix this shit and then I needed to find a way to fix my brother.
“Fuck Jaxson you need to dig your head out of your ass. She’s not yours.”
Something in me shifted something dark. Reaching for his throat, I watch as my fingers connect with the side of his neck. The palm of my hand rested on his Adams apple.
He swallowed, and I slowly squeezed. I was willing to physically harm him over this. I was willing to slit the throat of any mother fucker stupid enough to think they could have her.
“She’s fucking mine.”
His eyes turned to slits as his fist connected with my abdomen.
“Get this through your thick fucking skull boss. She stopped belonging to you the moment you walked out of that office and into mine.”
I know what he was saying was the truth, but I couldn’t agree to that. Jason’s phone started ringing and I knew exactly who it was.
“Alisa.”
I watch as his eyes darken, and something clouds almost like he was hurting.
“He’s here.”
Before I could say something, his phone was slammed into my chest.
“Here you go asshole.”
I watch in anger as he disappears into Sarah’s room. For a moment I thought about just dropping the phone into the chair and walking away.
“Jaxson?”
“Alisa.”
“Where are you and you better not say you’re with her.”
The sneer as she said her had my hackles rising how fucking dare she speak of her in such a tone?
“Hold your fucking tongue Alisa.”
The silence told me she was seething. I could already see the future with her and it was a blight I couldn’t rectify.
Chapter 12
Sarah
I don’t know how long I’ve been laying here waiting for that stupid drug to ware off.
“Open your eyes.”
Jason was still here and right now I think he was the only one who understood me.
“Jason?”
“We need to get you out of here and away from the city.”
I knew he was right, but it hurt. As long as Jaxson was still in the middle of his upcoming nuptials I couldn’t stay.
“We need to hurry.”
Nodding, I slowly slide from the bed.
“Sarah listen to me.”
Looking up at him I try not to swallow. His face was blank and whatever he was going to say I knew was bad.
“Alisa isn’t happy about you and Jaxson it’s to the point she may talk to her dad.”
I wanted to laugh oh, so the poor little rich girl is upset? She took everything from me and she’s upset?
“You need to stay away from my brother.”
He didn’t need to tell me that twice, I knew I needed to avoid him for my
own sanity.
“I have a place two towns over. Jaxson doesn’t even know about it.”
This was really happening? I was going to disappear?
“For how long Jason? How much am I going to let him take from me?”
“I don’t know sweetheart, but no one can know where you are. Jaxson will torture anyone to get your location.”
So, I was going to be alone? I watch as he pokes his head out of the room and gives me a hand gesture. Like we were playing some kind of game.
I almost wished it was a game and that it would be over soon. Jaxson was standing a few feet away talking quietly into his cell phone.
The stairway was quiet. Turning I give him one last look. My heart hurts. Everything that’s happened and everything that’s going to happen was slowly crushing it under the weight.
“Come on Sarah we need to go.”
I know he’s right, so I let go of the door and slowly take the first step. I knew this was the first step to the end. The end of everything I knew everything I ever wanted.
Life was a blur from here. I remember climbing into Jason’s car and the world going by as he drove like a demon was on his heels.
I should have been watching where we were going, but I sunk into this I don’t give two fucks slump.
“You’re going to like it here, I promise. It will be quiet, and the house is spacious.”
I looked at him and for the first time wondered why he had this place and why it was such a secret. I wanted to question him until the sun went down, but he was helping me, and it seemed hardly fair to skin the truth from him so to speak.
The car slowed, and I turned away from him. He looked so much like his brother it hurt. The house was more than spacious it was gigantic.
The wrap around porch had a beautiful swing. The gray exterior with its white trim and the horse shoe shaped drive way was a perfect touch.
The three-car garage and a yard full of trees seemed to make this place magazine worthy.
“It's beautiful Jason.”
“I wanted to take her here. Just the two of us move into this place and raise a family.”
Something in me shifted and I felt exposed. This rawness wasn’t going away. He seemed to be opening it up like peeling a scab from a wound.
“I’m sorry Jason.”
“I’m sorry too. I wish I could take his place I would do so willingly.”
Reaching for his hand that was holding the steering wheel in a death grip I place mine over his. I wish I could make both of us feel better I wish I could feel for him what I felt for Jaxson.
If we could find comfort in each other maybe we could find some balance, but I knew I could never want another not the way I wanted Jaxson.
To try would be a lie and I would hurt another person just like he was hurting me. How could I do that to another human being?
Chapter 13
Jaxson
She was gone. Beau was tearing a path through the hospital. Everything in me screamed in anger my brother was all also missing and I knew without a doubt he had something to do with this.
They went missing at the same fucking time. I was ready to destroy everything and everyone to get her back. My brother crossed a line and I wasn’t so sure I could forgive him for this transgression.
“What the fuck did you say to her you fucking piece of shit.”
He was lucky he was Sarah’s brother and that my sister loved him. I know I fucked up. But I would kill any mother fucker for speaking to me this way. He was getting a pass as much as it grated.
“None of your fucking business.”
“I’m making it my business.”
“Beau.”
Emilia grabbed his arm trying to get him to focus on her. His shoulders slump slightly as he looks into her eyes. Sarah had that same effect on me. I didn’t want it to be true.
I didn’t want to admit I was throwing away what he had. What the sons had. Fuck what Hyde and Jackal had. Family duty and some bullshit wasn’t going to keep me happy through the long years ahead.
Walking away from the proof I was fucking stupid I let the resolve to find my brother consume me. I didn’t give two fucks how Alisa felt about my air being Sarah’s child.
I wasn’t going to walk away from them, I sure as fuck wasn’t going to let my brother raise my fucking kid. Storming from the hospital, I remove my phone and call the one person I trusted with my life and the life of my child.
Chapter 14
Lark
“Lark.”
“I need you to find my brother.”
“Someone took him?”
Were they fucking stupid?
“No, he took something important to me and this family.”
I couldn’t be hearing this correctly. Jason a trader? No fucking way. I know he loved Alisa and his brother was too fucking blind to see it.
“Alisa?”
“Why the fuck would he take her?”
I wasn’t going to tell him. He needed to pull his head out of his ass.
“So, what the fuck happened?”
Turning I look at Josh my mark. He was squirming in his chair. Blood pooled at his bare feet. Pressing a finger to my lips I give him the hush signal.
I couldn’t help the smile that spread over my face as his eyes widen.
“Hold on for a moment.”
Pressing the mute button on the screen of my phone I give Josh my full attention.
“He was the one who sent me to kill you. Now the louder you are, the longer my call will take. And Josh?”
I pause and giving him a moment to let everything I already said sink in.
“You make this call take longer and I promise I will make this game of ours last longer. Do you understand?”
He was quick to nod his head. Seems Josh here is going to get lucky today. I had a family matter to take care of, so his death will be a little quicker.
“Now what the fuck is going on?”
“Jason took Sarah.”
Fuck! Jason, you’re a stupid mother fucker.
“You need me to find her? Was she willing?”
The silence was my answer. She was running, and I didn’t fucking blame the woman. He was marrying another woman and, yet, he wanted to keep her close.
“She’s pregnant.”
And this shit storm just grew.
“Are you taking it?”
I may not be able to take this job if he said yes. Jaxson is like a brother to me we trained together. The three of us spent countless nights watching people die. But I also knew her.
“No. I just want them back.”
Thank fuck. If he uttered that three letter word I would help her disappear as if she never existed.
“I wouldn’t ask that of you Lark.”
I wouldn’t have thought so, but these were special circumstances.
“How long have they been gone?”
“Maybe three hours.”
The time wasn’t too bad, but that was a lot of ground to cover. There was only one place Jason would take her. A place he thought no one knew about.
“I’ll find him.”
“Call me when you do.”
“Of course.”
“Don’t let him know you’re there.”
Fuck. This could go wrong so many different ways. They were both like brothers to me and I was stuck in the in between.
“You can’t kill him Jaxson.”
“He’s my brother.”
“Your word Jaxson.”
“I won’t kill him.”
The line went dead. Slipping the phone back into my pocket I turn back to Josh, who had scooted back a few feet.
“Honestly Josh where did you think you were going?”
Pulling the knife from his thigh I watch as the blood welled and spilled over mixing with the blood already coating the plastic protecting the floor.
I really wanted more time with Josh things have been a little dull lately. All my hits have been quick and clean. This messy
job was something I’ve been looking forward to.
“This was supposed to be a good time for the both of us Josh.”
We’ve already been at this for hours. I peeled skin here and there added a few new holes to his body. Looking at the man I was hired to kill I sigh loudly.
I mean I was being put out here. Pressing the still bloody blade to his throat, I apply pressure before sliding it across the soft flesh.
Blood poured as his skin opened up. I prided myself on my sharp blades and clean tools. So, this was a smooth transition. After I tracked down Jason I will go home and clean and sharpen.
Placing all of the tools I used in a plastic bag I slowly release josh from his chair. His body slumped before dropping to the floor.
Quickly rolling him up I use tape to keep all the openings closed. Grabbing the black canvas body bag lined in a durable black plastic lining I place Josh into it before zipping it closed.
The finality as the zipper closed echoed through the room. It was a beautiful sound. Josh needs to take a little trip to my freezer.
They wanted it messy, but they didn’t want him found right away. Lifting him over my shoulder I make my way out the door and to the trunk of my car.
First Josh then Jason. Something I never thought I would do was hunt one of the Carters. One of my own.
Chapter 15
Jaxson
It took three fucking days for Lark to call me with a location. Beau was avoiding me at all costs and it was for the best. This shit could destroy our business.
The house was big and almost perfect for the people who want the two point five kids and the white picket fence. He swore she was here, and something in my twisted.
How did Jason hide this from me? And why the fuck would he buy this place? Walking up to the door I knock. A part of me wanted to kick it in and then what?
Would I drag her out of here? Make her come to my place? And what about Alisa in all of this. Did I make them live in the same house while we raised this child?
Could I sit by and watch Sarah slowly deteriorate. Slowly leave even if only in her mind? I would be killing her slowly I would be the death of her. The thought of a world without her damn near ripped me apart.
I wanted to off my future wife. I was an animal the thought of marrying her had me wanting to slit her pretty little throat. Not anywhere in the contract does it say once were married, she couldn’t just disappear.
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