by Becca Lee
My phone buzzed from the kitchen, so I quickly headed over to answer it. It was O'Leary. "You at home?" he asked.
"Yeah, why?" I looked at the time. There were still about thirty minutes before the coordinated strikes were due to happen.
"Enfield's heading to your house." My body tensed. "We're going to take him while he's with you. Shit, Mace, sorry, man. It not ideal, but he was acting off earlier. He knows something is going on. If we wait till after he's left yours, he's likely to try to run."
"Why's he heading here?"
"He mentioned to Darby something about Nox wanting another meet, but that's bullshit. He hasn't been in touch since." I heard his radio come to life in the background. "Hang on," he said to me, before he radioed out orders. "We're about ten minutes out."
"Fuck, O'Leary, Lena's here." There was no way even Diesel or any of the guys could get to ours to collect her, not before Enfield arrived.
He paused before releasing a sigh. "I know. We'll make it fast. Just make sure she's out of the way."
"Fuck," I spat into the phone. I didn't want this to go down here. Through clenched teeth, I said, "Fine, but no screwing this up, O'Leary."
"I hear you." The call ended.
"What did O'Leary want?" Lena's sleepy voice made me jump. I turned, and she grinned. "You okay? It's not like you to not hear me."
I scooped her in my arms and held her tightly. "I need you to get out of here."
She stepped out of my arms and frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Do you think you can drive by yourself and head to the club?" If I could get her out of here before Enfield came, she could be away from it all.
"Why?" Fear shadowed her wide eyes.
"Enfield's on his way over to apparently talk to me about Nox. It also means O'Leary and the team will arrest him here. I don't want you anywhere near him." I took hold of her hand, grabbed my keys, and headed towards her shoes and her bag.
"Okay," she agreed with a wobbly voice. I gave myself the moment to quickly turn and plant a kiss on her lips.
"Thanks, baby."
She swallowed, and took the keys off me with a shaky hand. Opening the door, I looked out when I heard a car pull up outside the house, blocking mine in.
Enfield.
I tamped down my emotions, resisting the urge to rip his head off when he stepped out and offered me a small wave.
I nodded and called, "Lena's just heading out. Diesel's expecting her."
I saw the small flinch at my words. His expression was quickly replaced with a smile as he stepped closer, not getting back in his car or moving it the hell out of the way. "We haven't officially met." He reached out his hand to Lena and I looked down at her.
She didn't smile, but she nodded at him. "Detective Enfield, right?" Her voice didn't waver, making my heart swell at her bravery.
"Please, call me Jack. It's so good to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you." His eyes remained fixed on Lena's as he spoke. I wrapped my arm around her back so she was able to drop his hand. His words were total bullshit. Not once had I discussed Lena with him. He knew this. "I just need five minutes with my old friend and then you can both head out."
What I wanted to do was tug free the gun from my back holster and hold it to his temple. My finger twitched at the thought. Lena pressing her hand against my back, however, dragged my attention to her. Her eyes met mine when I glanced down. "Sure," I finally answered, making eye contact with him. "Come on in." I headed to the kitchen, ensuring Lena was in front of me. I went straight to the sink and turned on the cold tap, pulling at a glass as the water ran cool.
Once the glass filled, I held it out to Lena. "Here you go, baby, for your headache. The paracetamol is in the cabinet in the bathroom."
Taking the glass, she offered me a quick smile and left the room. I watched her go, prepared to intervene if Enfield attempted to stop her.
He didn't.
"What's on your mind?" I leaned back casually against the sink, the table and a workbench separating us.
For the first time since he'd arrived, Enfield looked uneasy. A slight sheen of sweat glistened in the light from the setting sun, and he shifted nervously on his feet. After clearing his throat, he said, "Nox was wanting another meet. Said he had more to tell you."
"More?" I acted confused. "He told me shit all to begin with, other than the fact he knew Lena and I were dating. I'm not going back so he can continue to try to fuck with me." My voice rose a decibel when I continued, "I'd think him shooting my fiancée would be enough, don't you think, Jack?" I rarely used his first name, so the use of it made him flinch. "What more is there to know? He took his gun and pulled the fucking trigger, shooting her in the fucking head," I roared. My muscles quivered with building rage. Unless O'Leary arrived quickly, I had no idea if I'd be able to hang on and play dumb.
Enfield stared at the floor and offered nothing but silence.
Pounding erupted in my ears and my vision clouded. I didn't want to see remorse or regret. I wanted nothing from him other than his body on a cold slab. Adrenalin rushed through my body when I stepped forward, my muscles straining against my skin. With every step I took before my stomach hit the worktop, flashes of Abigail filtered through my mind. Her laugh. Her smile. Blood seeping out of the hole in her head.
Fuck.
I welcomed the pain in my jaw from clenching my teeth so damn hard, focused on that and on the surface separating us. Would Enfield behind bars be enough? Would it even begin to serve as justice for his part in her death?
Nausea swirled in my gut. I’d believed in the system, the law, once, but Enfield was supposed to be it. I reached for my gun, removing it swiftly and taking steady aim at Enfield. His lowered eyes meant he remained unaware.
"Why did you come here?" My words were hard as I struggled to stop myself from pulling the trigger straight away.
He sighed before he raised his eyes to mine. He didn't even flinch, didn't falter with the gun trained on him. His voice was quiet, pathetic when he spoke. "You should shoot me."
Tears pricked my eyes. I wanted him dead.
"It started as a quick buck, but then I got in too deep, too quickly. I couldn't find a way out."
"There's always a fucking way out," I roared. "You're just a fucking coward who got Abigail killed." Spittle built in the corners of my mouth, my fury driving me forward. "You fucking killed her!"
He didn't nod, didn't move as he looked at me, his gaze unwavering. "It's over now."
I scoffed, my eyes watery and struggling to focus.
"I deserve to die."
My finger twitched. It would be so easy to pull the trigger, to end it all. "You really are a fucking coward." I shook my head, disgusted at the piece of shit before me. He wouldn't stand a chance in hell in prison and he knew it. "You should have done us all a favour and just shot yourself," I suggested.
Seeing movement, I looked up at Lena. She stood a few metres behind Enfield, the whites of her eyes showing. Fear rolled off her in waves. Tears spilled down her cheeks and she covered her mouth.
Swallowing, I looked back at Enfield. "I'm not doing the job for you." My gun remained raised and steady. "You can join your fucking friend, Nox."
He didn't have time to speak before the two doors to the house opened and the team filed in, O'Leary at the front. "I got this," he called over to me.
I lowered my gun, holstering it as I walked away to let them do their job, making my way to Lena. She needed me.
Chapter Eighteen
LENA
There was nobody to call, nothing to do but wait. Detective O'Leary was already on his way, so it was a matter of holding tight and not losing the plot. Mace's raised voice reached me as I waited in the hallway unseen. I bit my bottom lip, attempting to stop it from trembling, but it was no use. As Mace's raw words spilled forth about Abigail's death, my eyes brimmed and overflowed with tears. I clamped a hand over my mouth and caught my sob, my anguish for the man I loved rushing through me
with such speed I was afraid my knees would buckle.
I heard the shift, the change in tone. Something had happened, but I had no idea what. It was that I needed to know, so I stepped away and into view of the kitchen.
Mace's eyes connected to mine in an instant. His pain was gut-wrenching, squeezing at my heart. If my hand hadn't been still against my mouth, I was sure I'd have called out to him. With my throat clogged with emotion, my tears took full control.
Terror then slammed into me. If he pulled the trigger, I didn't know if I'd ever get him back. I couldn't lose him, not after all we had been through, both apart and together.
"I'm not doing the job for you."
The words made me sob harder, ripping through me with the same force as the pounding in my heart. I didn't even jump when the doors opened simultaneously and the house filled with officers. At that moment, my gaze was locked on Mace as I tried to tell him from afar and without words all that he meant to me.
When he lowered the gun, he strode towards me, his mission clear, his stare intent. Before me he hesitated a second, the slight gesture filling my heart with sadness and love. I understood why he hesitated. He loved me, and I recognised his need to never harm me. I could never turn away from him or even fear him. Taking the decision out of his hands, I launched myself at Mace, wrapping my arms tightly around his shoulders and clinging on for dear life. His arms found mine and he held me in his strong embrace.
"It's over," I mumbled against his neck. There was no question. Finally, Mace could find a semblance of peace knowing Enfield would be held accountable. His arms drew tighter at my words, and more tears dripped down my cheeks, wetting his tee. His head buried against my neck, as overcome with emotions as I was.
Finally, with the various officers still walking around us, Mace lifted his head and then peered down at me as I raised my own. While he didn't smile, his eyes were lighter, calmer somehow. He still looked bloody knackered, and I was hoping we could sleep in each other's arms for at least a week. We needed to be still and to allow all that had happened to catch up with us so we could absorb its significance.
"I'm going to marry you someday," I said, my words calm and clear.
It earned me a smile and a kiss. "I know you are, baby." He then looked around us, for the first time taking in the activity, and then led me into the sitting room. Mace encouraged me to sit, and I did so willingly. The nap I'd taken earlier seemed a lifetime ago. The adrenalin rush of the last ten minutes or so was already dissipating and leaving me bone-tired.
We both looked at the hallway at the same time to see Enfield in cuffs and being escorted out. A few seconds later, O'Leary entered the room and sat on the chair in front of us. Darkness circled his eyes, similar to Mace and me. It seemed everyone was past due for rest and a quiet life.
"I've just touched base with Davidson and Jacobs. McKenny is in custody, along with Rebel and four more members of Riots. Rebel made a mistake of opening fire, but was taken down easily, and no one in the unit was injured."
"Cole?" I asked quickly.
Looking at me, O'Leary smiled and my tension unravelled a little. "He's good. They're taking him to the hospital to check him out." I jolted upright, about to spring from my seat before Mace held me down. "Nothing major. I promise, Lena," O'Leary assured. "He caused a fuss and all but refused to go. Jefferson had to talk him around."
Mace scoffed in amusement.
"What?" I asked, looking at Mace for an explanation.
"Detective Alice Jefferson." I raised my brows, indicating he should continue. "She's been known to sweet talk a guy or two, despite being a bad-arse.”
"Oh." A burst of jealousy pulsed through me, wondering if Mace had ever been sweet-talked by her. I then rolled my eyes at myself at the ridiculousness, but hearts were fickle and apparently jealous things when they chose to be.
Mace lifted my chin with his thumb and forefinger, drawing my gaze to his. "Never with me, baby."
Heat filled my cheeks that I was so easily read and I cleared my throat, attempting to shake off the embarrassment. "Will he be released tonight?"
"He should be, yes."
I nodded. I'd happily allow my planned one week of sleep to be interrupted by visiting Cole the next day. While he was a brother by patch, next to my own real brother, Cole was the next-best thing.
"Listen, we're about done here. I've got a crazy forty-eight hours' worth of paperwork to write up with the shitstorm of tonight, so I best wrap up. I will need you to head to the station maybe tomorrow afternoon?"
I didn't like the sound of my week's sleep getting shorter so quickly, but still I nodded right along with Mace. O’Leary stood, Mace following.
"Today's a good day, Mace. We got the bastards." He pulled Mace towards him and hugged him. His voice was low when he said, "Abigail would have hated missing out on all this shit." Mace snorted, but I heard the emotion there, from both of them. Once more it seemed as though I had a never-ending supply of tears. I sniffed through them, rubbing at my eyes, trying to be brave and strong for Mace.
Mace patted him on his back before stepping out of O'Leary's embrace as he cleared his throat. "Anything you need, just call, yeah?"
O'Leary nodded and then looked down at me. "Take care." I launched myself at him, completely throwing him off balance and taking him by surprise.
"Thank you, for everything. He needed this so much. Thank you."
Once he'd steadied himself, he hugged me back. "You just take care of him." I pulled out of his arms. "He can be a bit of a moody prick at times, so any problems just call me and I'll stop by and sort him out." He threw me a wink and laughed, nodding once more at Mace, who gave an honest-to-God growl, and then backed away to finish up.
I looked at Mace, my tears finally stopping as I stared at him with wide eyes. "Did you just growl?”
Mace squinted a little as he took hold of my shoulder and dragged me towards him. "I'm not moody," he grumbled, earning a laugh.
"But you're a prick?" My heart swelled, loving that through it all, we found enough goodness in our lives to joke and laugh.
His hand slapped down on my arse and I yelped. Squeezing my arse cheek, he murmured, "I have a big prick," as he nibbled on my neck.
I snorted. "I'll be the judge of that."
"Always," he whispered, just before he placed a light kiss on my lips and enveloped me in his protective arms.
Epilogue
MACE
Against my better judgement, Jo had worn me down. That was how I'd found myself at a club barbeque with my crazy sister-in-law, gorgeous niece, and brother in tow, as well as Preston and Ella. It seemed Ella had wanted to get the lowdown on the MC too. Bloody women and their lady porn.
Lena sat in the yard area with Abi on the ground before her. Abi bounced up and down on her chubby legs, her hands on Lena's knees, squealing happily. Apparently, standing and bouncing was her new trick and she took such delight in doing it. That and holding hands while adults broke their backs bent over so she could walk around.
I groaned as I stretched out. I'd just had thirty minutes as her walking frame and it fucking killed. But I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Lena laughed at something Ella said and shook her head before pointing at a couple of the guys. I groaned, realising who she'd pointed out. Max and Dingo were known for liking to share their women, so I could only imagine what Ella was asking.
I looked across at Liam, who was talking to Cole and Preston, none coming up for air as they spoke rapidly about who knew what. Finally, my eyes landed on Diesel. I grinned. I'd never met the woman who spoke animatedly before him, but had heard her mentioned a time or two. She was bouncing almost as much as Abi, and even looked pretty adorable doing so. She was a cute thing, and had this whole pixie vibe going on. She’d tagged along with Preston and Ella, no doubt at Jo's demand. She had a way of getting people to do what she wanted while making them think it was their idea all along.
I'd heard that Dani was actually a good
friend of Preston, and had hit a bit of a rough patch. Looking at her now, the smile lighting her face and lifting her lips, you'd never think of it. I chuckled lightly and then looked to my right when Lena nudged me, Abi in her arms.
"What are you looking so pleased about?"
I nodded over at her brother and then back at her. Her brows lifted in surprise. "I'm not sure if he's ready to bolt or throw himself at her feet."
The grin spreading across Lena's lips made my mouth go dry. She was fucking beautiful. "Holy crap," she mumbled, "it's the latter. Seriously, he's hanging on every word." She placed a kiss on Abi's cheek and blew a raspberry there, making her squirm and giggle. "Just look at them," she continued, but my eyes were just for her. She then looked at me, realising I wasn't staring at her brother as per her instruction. Her brow wrinkled. "What?"
How could I even begin to answer such a simple, complicated question? "Next month I think we should start trying for a baby."
Her breath caught and she proceeded to cough, her face turning bright red. I laughed as I patted her back. "Breathe, baby.”
She gulped for air and passed me Abi. I propped her on my hip and faced Lena head-on. "You can't just say sh-stuff"—she glanced at Abi when she corrected herself—"like that to me and expect me not to choke. Seriously, Mace. A little warning here."
My face was a mask of innocence. "What? I think a month is plenty of time. It gives you enough time to stop taking the pill and grab yourself a dress and a bikini and whatever other sh-stuff you need."
With her brows dipped and her forehead wrinkled, she looked at me like I'd sprouted a second head.
