Christian’s chilling voice rings out through the room. “I think I’m exactly where I need to be,” he says before directing his dead eyes on me. “I warned you, Sophie but you wanted to play with fire.”
Tank subtly moves so that his body hides me from Christian’s view. “You need to leave,” Tank says in warning.
“Really?” Christian asks with an amused tone in his voice. “You think you’re in a position to be making requests?”
I hear that tell tale squeak of the couch that tells me he’s now standing. Tank moves his body slightly and I realize Baxter must be moving about the living room. Tank ignores his comments as he takes a small step forward. I glue myself to his back, knowing that’s exactly where he wants me even though the thought of getting closer to that monster terrifies me but my gut tells me Tank is trying to get as close as he can so he can disarm him.
If Baxter notices Tank’s movement, he doesn’t mention it. “You know, it’s funny,” Christian says. “I was out of town when I got the message there was a warrant out for my arrest. My home was ransacked and then my office.”
“Hmm,” Tank scoffs. “Must be a strange concept for you.” I almost want to high five my husband for the amount of balls it must take to make a snide comment like that to a man wielding a gun but then at the same time, I want to throat punch him for being so stupid.
Baxter ignores him and Tank takes the opportunity to take another step forward. Once again, I follow as closely as I can, hoping to God, Detective Andrews answered the phone.
“None of this would have happened if it weren’t for you, Sophie,” he says. “Why don’t you step forward and take responsibility for your actions rather than making me go through your husband.”
I don’t say a word, knowing that would only piss Tank off. “You’re in this situation because you murdered three men and then went after my wife,” Tank says as he takes another step forward. “Why don’t you take responsibility for your actions and hand yourself in.”
“Why don’t you step out of the way so I can deal with your bitch of a wife, once and for all,” he snaps at Tank.
I can almost hear the smirk in Tank’s voice. “You’re fucking delusional if you think I’d ever do that.”
“Fine by me,” Christian says in a tone that sends shivers straight down my spine. Something tells me this is it. That Detective Andrews is too late and I’m about to lose my husband. I step out from behind Tank and notice the gun pointed directly at him. Baxter’s eyes follow my movements but mine follow the massive man who launches himself clear across the room and tackles Baxter to the ground.
A scream comes tearing up my throat as they scuffle on the living room floor. Tank manages to get the gun from Baxter’s hand and tosses it across the room.
I run as fast as I can and chase the gun as it slides across the tiled floor. I grab it and turn it on Baxter but my hands begin to shake. I’ve never held a gun before and I can honestly say, it’s not something I ever want to do again.
“Stop it,” I scream as the two men continue to scuffle on the ground, completely oblivious to the fact that I now hold the gun. Either that or neither believe I’m actually a true threat with this thing.
I watch as Tank finally gets through and nails him hard with a punch to the jaw that has Baxter’s head flying backward. The blow looks as though it should have knocked him out or at least stopped him but it’s like he doesn’t even notice it.
They continue on and I watch on in fear as tears fall from my eyes. When will this stop?
My husband's pained curse has my eyes focusing harder as Baxter lets out a laugh. My eyes roam all over Tanks body but I don’t understand what caused his cry until his body goes limp and he falls to the side clutching his stomach with blood seeping between his fingers.
It’s then I notice the knife in Baxter’s hand and the evil smirk plastered across his face as he attempts to get to his feet.
My eyes flick back to my husband who’s currently bleeding out on our living room floor. “Run,” he demands but I can’t move. Baxter begins to stalk me but my feet remain glued to the floor. Anger lingers in Tanks eyes but he must know that I won’t leave this house without him. There’s just no way in hell.
Baxter takes another step closer with the knife held steady in his hand. “I warned you, Sophie,” he says before indicating to Tank who watches on in fear. “Now look what you’ve done.”
“Stop,” I demand as I point the gun more firmly at him.
He smirks at me as though I’m some misbehaved child playing with something I shouldn’t be touching, yet somehow, that’s exactly how I feel. He continues stalking me with the blood stained knife which drips Tanks blood all over my living room floor. “You won’t do it,” he practically laughs. “You don’t have the guts.”
I take a hesitant step backward as I begin to question myself. I don’t want to pull the trigger but I have no choice. It’s either me or him and I can guarantee, if he’s the survivor in this situation, he won’t be saving my husband.
He spins the knife in his hand and the blade catches in the light, displaying just how deadly the weapon truly is as blood spatters across the room. He takes another step. “I’m going to finish you, Sophie Meyers, just like I should have the first time,” he taunts with a sick grin.
Tears continue rolling down my eyes as the nausea hits. This fucker is truly going to kill me. I back up another step and he takes another. I see the decision in his dark eyes and watch as he begins to make his move.
In a split second, I watch as his arm winds back and his knees bend. “Now, Sophie,” Tank demands from across the room, using whatever ounce of energy he has left.
I don’t hesitate.
The gun rings out and echoes through my head. Baxter drops to the ground as my ears scream in protest. I quickly look at Baxter to make sure he’s well and truly down which is when his screams start. He latches onto his chest and I’m almost certain I’ve punctured his lung, but I just don’t care.
My eyes move across the room to Tank who now lays motionless on the floor.
"No," I whimper.
With the gun still firmly in my hands, I sprint across the room and drop down at Tanks side. The gun clatters to the floor beside me as I press my hands to Tank’s wound, attempting to stop the bleeding but the blood just seeps through my fingers like an endless stream.
I hear the front door being kicked in and someone calling out ‘Police’ but I ignore their advances as Tanks eyes begin to close. “No,” I cry. “Stay with me. I can’t do this without you.”
Sobs begin ripping up my throat as Detective Andrews drops down beside me and places a hand on my shoulder. “Sophie. Let me take over,” he demands.
“Where’s the ambulance? I need an ambulance?” I yell.
Someone grabs me and moves me out of the way so the police can start their first aid but I don’t let them take me far as I hold onto Tank’s lifeless body. “Don’t you dare leave me, Tank,” I demand as the sobs completely take over. “Open your eyes. Please, open your eyes.”
Soon enough the ambulance arrives and it’s a blur of activity as we rush to the hospital. The trip could have taken two minutes or it could have been half an hour. I’ll never be sure. All I know is that I haven’t taken my eyes off my husband’s body. The only type of relief I have is the very slow beep coming from the heart rate monitor telling me that for now, he’s still holding on.
The moment we arrive at the hospital, Tank is whisked away and I’m left behind in the waiting room with nothing but my thoughts. My head drops low into my hands and before I know it, I’m surrounded by friends and family. Though, I have absolutely no idea how they knew to come. Maybe I called them. Maybe I didn’t. I don’t know.
I sit in a mess of tears as Dani holds onto my hand with every last ounce of strength she possesses. He can’t leave me. He’s going to make it. Tank is the strongest man I have ever met, I just know he’ll be ok, otherwise, I don’t know how I’m going to sur
vive.
A thought crosses my mind that if he were to leave me, at least he’d be up there with our son but I’m not ready for that. Not even close. I’m selfish enough to need to keep him here with me.
My eyes continue looking up at the clock, watching the hours tick by. My nerves get the best of me and I stand from the chair I’ve spent the last five hours in and begin pacing the room. Doctors and nurses come in and out of the room and each and every time, I hold my breath waiting for them to call my name but it never comes.
And then finally…
Finally, a doctor comes through the doors, seven hours after arriving and calls my name. “Mrs. Meyers?” he questions the packed waiting room.
I practically sprint to the doctor, desperate for answers. “You’re Tyler Meyers wife?” he confirms.
“Yes,” I nearly shout at him.
“Ok, why don’t you take a seat?” he asks as he motions to the available chairs beside us. I hastily take a seat, trying not to yell at him to get on with it.
I wait impatiently as he lowers his exhausted self into the space beside me. He lets out a breath before getting started. “So, your husband is now out of surgery and is doing well.” Instant relief takes over me that I have to force myself to pay attention. “He suffered quite serious blood loss that we needed to restart his heart three times, however, he is one hell of a strong man and has a lot of fight in him.”
He goes on to discuss the types of internal injuries that were sustained and how they were rectified. I listen intently as to not miss a thing and when he finally says that I can go and sit with him, I throw my arms around the good doctor.
“Thank you, so much,” I say as I cry onto his shoulder.
“No need to thank me, sweetheart,” he says as he gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “It’s what I’m here for.”
With that, the doctor disappears through the door and I follow on until I find a nurse who can give me directions to the recovery ward.
I push my way through his door and instantly find myself sitting at his bedside with his hand held firmly in mine, begging for him to wake up so I can see those eyes I thought I may never see again.
An hour later, his hand twitches in mine and my eyes instantly roam over his handsome face. His eyes begin to open and it feels like all my Christmases have come at once. A tear escapes my eye as I lean in closer to my husband.
“Tank?” I whisper into the quiet room, desperate for this wait to be over.
He turns his head towards me and squeezes my hand with the faintest smile gracing those perfect lips. “Don’t cry, baby,” he says. “You can’t get rid of me that easy.”
Tears of joy spring from my eyes as I look at my moronic husband. “Don’t you ever do that to me again,” I sob.
He lifts his hand out of mine and gently wipes my tears with his thumb. “Are you ok?” he questions.
“Me?” I nearly shriek. “I should be asking you the same thing.”
He tries to sit up but I fly forwards and force his big body back down. “Don’t move,” I warn him. “You have like a million internal stitches.”
“Shit,” he groans. “I’ll be out for the rest of the season.”
“Don’t worry about that just yet. You need to heal first and then we can sort out how you’re going to keep kicking ass.”
“Speaking of kicking ass,” he says before resting his eyes on mine. “You shot him?”
“Yeah,” I sigh before looking away. “He’s apparently a few rooms down but he has a police escort.”
“You alright?” he questions.
I look back to him and bite the inside of my cheek as I really think it over. “Um… yeah, I think I am.”
“Good,” he says firmly. “In that case, you’re an idiot. I told you to run.”
“What?” I shriek. “I’m the idiot? You’re the one who decided it was a great idea to tackle a psychopath wielding a gun, and besides, there was no way I was leaving you behind so he could finish you off.”
Tank smirks at me as he grabs my hand and gives me a tug. “Get your ass over here and kiss me,” he demands.
I look down at my husband in his hospital bed. Even straight after major surgery, he’s still a demanding ass hat, but I do what I’m told. I climb up onto the bed and gently climb in beside him knowing he must be in extreme pain, but knowing this guy, he isn’t going to mention it and I know better than to ask.
I curl up to his side and look up at him as his arm wraps around my body. “I thought I was going to lose you,” I tell him as another tear streaks down my cheek.
“I know, baby” he murmurs as his fingers trail up and down my arm. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“I love you, so much,” I tell him as I reach up and place my forehead against his.
“I love you, too,” he tells me before inching forward and capturing my lips in his. “It’s you and me for the long haul, baby,” he says.
I can’t help but grin. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I tell him before kissing him once again. “But, I think we’re going to need a new house.”
“Hmm,” he agrees. “Somewhere that no one knows the address of.”
“Imagine all the new places we would have to christen,” I murmur.
“Sounds freaking perfect to me.”
Epilogue
Sophie
2 Years Later
I stand next to my brother on his wedding day and I can’t believe this day has finally come. Feels like it’s been such a long time coming and so far, it’s been absolutely beautiful, though, I would much prefer to be in one of the shimmering golden dresses the bridesmaids are wearing rather than a black tux like the rest of the groom’s party but then, I guess that’s what happens when you struggle to get along with the bride.
But on the other hand, Zac totally let me pimp out my tux, so I must admit, I look damn fine.
Standing here on this day, in my hometown, Denver between Zac and Tank, with my parent’s right before me, there’s truly nowhere else I’d rather be. The music begins just as Tank laces his fingers through mine.
I look up to him and give him a beaming smile as the first bridesmaid commences her way down the aisle. One after another they come down in those stunning dresses which looking at the perkiness of MJ’s sister and the way she keeps eyeing Zac’s best friend, that dress will be on the floor at some point and when it is, that dress is mine.
The music changes and the crowd get to their feet. “You ready for this, baby brother?” I murmur as we wait for MJ to make her appearance.
He turns to me with a smile that I’ve never quite seen before and I read the answer in his eyes. “Yeah,” he says. “I’ve never been more ready.”
A vibration starts in my pocket and my hand clenches down on Tanks. Shit, I forgot to turn off my phone. Tank looks down at me in concern as I slide my free hand into my pocket. I fish my phone out and discreetly step further behind my brother so the massive crowd don’t notice and l look down at the screen.
“Holy shit,” I gasp as I look at the caller ID.
“What?” Tank questions as he pretends to continue smiling and being the perfect groomsman.
Zac gets wind of our conversation and turns around to find me staring down at my phone. “Are you shitting me right now? MJ is about to come down the aisle, put your phone away.”
“Too late, brother,” I grin as MJ makes her appearance at the other end, looking absolutely stunning. My comments completely draws his attention away as he focuses in on his beautiful bride, allowing me to focus on the phone call.
I cringe knowing this isn’t the best time but I hit accept on the call anyway. I step backwards and pull Tank a step closer to Zac to hide me a little better. “Hello?” I answer into the phone.
“Hi there, is this Sophie?” The woman on the other end says.
“Yes, this is her,” I answer as my brother turns around once again.
“For fucks sake,” he moans before gesturing to mom and dad as if t
hey can do something about me.
“Hi Sophie. It’s Suzannah from the L.A Adoption Agency. I’m just giving you a call to let you know your birth mother has just gone into labour.”
“Seriously?” I shriek in excitement as my hand clenches down on Tank’s once again. Holy crap. I knew it would be soon but I didn’t quite expect it would be today of all days.
He turns around and I look up at him with tears of joy in my eyes. “Yes, dear,” Suzannah continues. “It’s still very new and process is coming along slowly, so you have a few hours before you need to be at the hospital but you should start making arrangements.”
“Ok, we will,” I smile as the tears really start streaming down my face. “Thank you, so much.”
I’m going to be a mommy. I’m going to be a mommy. I’m going to be a mommy.
Holy shit.
“No problem. I’ll meet you at the hospital with the paperwork,” she tells me before hanging up.
“What is it?” Tank questions the second I pull the phone away from my ear.
“Lilly has gone into labour,” I tell him as I throw my arms around him in excitement and start jumping up and down. “We’re going to be parents.”
“Holy shit,” he says as his body goes stiff. “Are you sure?”
Zac turns again with an angry pout over his face. “What the fuck is going on here?” he demands as MJ makes it to his side. She takes his hand and he looks back at her with an adoring smile. “You look amazing,” he tells her. She blushes slightly before zoning in on the fact that something is going on down this end of the aisle.
Tank ignores everyone in the room as his full attention is on me. “Shouldn’t we be going?” he questions with urgency.
“No, not yet,” I tell him. “We still have a few hours. We can make the end of the ceremony then catch our flight back home. We won’t miss it,” I promise him.
“What?” Zac demands. “You two aren’t going anywhere. I haven’t even said my vows yet.”
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