Blowback

by Monica James

  “You know I’ve always loved you both,” she explains as though he should just accept this bombshell and move on.

  “Yes, loved as in past tense. I wasn’t aware that love was still current,” he spits, shaking his head.

  “Darling.” Her voice turns seductive, and I can see why she’s been able to keep them at war for so long. She is the common denominator they share. They’re prisoners to the past. “I love you. But I love him, too.”

  “Love him?” Stevie scoffs. “He’s an animal! Have you forgotten what he did to your father?”

  Bianca flinches while Jaws grins.

  “She knows the real story. Give it up.”

  When Bianca doesn’t argue, Stevie looks at her as though she’s a stranger. “Whatever he told you, it’s all lies.”

  But she shakes her head. “If what he says is true, then it’s just confirmation that I made the right choice. You proved your love.”

  At the expense of her father. These people are even more fucked up than I thought.

  “If that’s true, then how can you be sleeping with him?” Stevie spits, disgusted. “If you wanted us both, I’d respect you more if you just told me.”

  Jaws looks back and forth between the lovers, enjoying their quarrel.

  “I may have forgiven him for what he did, but my family hasn’t. I’d be disowned if they knew. Even though you were the one who set him up, Jaws should have done his homework. You’re the better suitor. You always have been.”

  Jaws’s pleasure soon disappears.

  “You’re strong, baby. You’re a fucking king. And I’m your queen.” She turns on the charm, and like a chump, Stevie falls for it. “It’s just sex with him. I love you.”

  I take great pleasure in seeing Jaws break before me.

  He thought he’d be in with half a shot, it appears, but Bianca has made it clear he is merely there to scratch her itch when the urge arises.

  Her attention drifts to Jaws. “We have co-existed for so long. Why are you doing this now?”

  We all seem to want to know the answer to this question. Why hasn’t he just let sleeping dogs lie?

  Jaws seems touched by her words, and for a split second, I think that maybe he has a heart after all. But he is dead inside. I think he always has been. “Once upon a time, you meant more to me than anything in the world. But now, there is something I want more.”

  Bianca stands still, unafraid by the gun pointed her way. She is that arrogant. But that will be her downfall. She knows what Jaws did to her father; yet, she doesn’t care. Why settle for the love of one when you can be worshipped and adored by many?

  But Jaws is done playing her games. He wanted her to choose, but she didn’t. So now he has. “And that’s to be fucking king of this town. I need a queen, and sadly…that isn’t you.”

  I see it before it happens, but it’s still too late. I dive on top of Tiger before Jaws fires his gun. The room erupts into gunfire while I shield Tiger with my body. Peering up at the bedlam ahead, I see Jaws taking refuge behind a wall while Stevie takes cover behind a shipping container.

  “Tiger, we gotta move!” I scream to be heard over the gunshots. I don’t wait for her to reply and quickly come up into a low crouch, taking her with me.

  I scope out the exits and realize the only way out is back through the way I came. Sadly, that exit is suddenly blocked when Stevie’s reinforcements come charging through, guns raised, ready for battle.

  Bianca is lying motionless, the front of her cream dress stained red. Even though I knew he was a soulless asshole, I never saw this plot twist coming.

  “Motherfucker!” Stevie screams, peering around the container, hoping to get a clear shot. “You fucking killed her! How could you?”

  “You didn’t think I’d stand by and let her insult me that way, did you? She chose the wrong man, and it’s time she paid her dues,” Jaws retorts, firing two quick shots. His cold comment reveals what a psychopath he truly is.

  The gunfire continues while Tiger and I stay low, hiding behind a wall. “We’re going to have to make a run for it,” I instruct, tearing a sling out of my shirt so I can strap my broken hand.

  “We can’t!” she cries. “Jordy.”

  She’s right. If we leave now, she’ll never see him again. After what he just did to Bianca, it’s clear he’s close to his tipping point.

  “Bull, I need to tell you something,” she says, the words spilling from her.

  But she can tell me later. We need to haul ass right now. Well, she does.

  Before she can say another word, I push her behind a shipping container and grab the baton she tossed away. She screams at me but knows better than to follow. My right hand may be broken, but I only need one to beat the shit out of Stevie’s men. I keep low, smashing their kneecaps and collecting their guns as they drop them, howling in pain.

  I reach Jaws’s side in seconds, armed to the teeth. He goes to pull his gun on me, but I smash the handle of my stolen gun against his temple. “Motherfucker, listen. You tell Tiger where Jordy is, and I will help you get out of here. You’re outnumbered.” I can’t believe I’m saying this. “I’ll cover you.”

  He arches a brow—suspicious this is a trick—but he’s running out of options. And he knows it. He wasn’t counting on Stevie coming with much backup because I never told him he had that many men on his payroll.

  “Fucking make the call,” I demand, gesturing with my gun toward his pocket to take out his cell.

  “Fine.” He quickly sends a text and then shows me he’s forwarding the message to Tiger. It’s an address, the address where she’ll find her son.

  Something comes over me, and I realize it’s genuine happiness. I’m happy Tiger will finally get Jordy back. I guess the saying rings true—when you love someone, their happiness matters more than yours. And I do…I love her so fucking much.

  And that’s why I have to let her go.

  “You did good, brother. I am so proud of the man you’ve become.”

  Damian’s voice buzzes loud, and a sense of peace falls over me. I have finally become the man I know he would be proud of.

  “You ready?” I ask, checking the chambers of the guns to make sure I have enough ammo.

  Jaws nods.

  “On my count, we run. Then we fucking settle this.” I’m not stupid. I know I’m his prisoner. Until Jordy is safe, I am at his mercy.

  “One.” I cock my gun.

  “Two.” I scope out the surroundings.

  “And three!” I yell when we’re as clear as we’re going to be.

  Jaws and I jump up, guns aimed at the danger around us. We cover one another, firing our weapons at anything that stands in our way. Men duck for cover as neither Jaws nor I miss. I lock eyes with Stevie who cradles Bianca to his chest.

  When he sees me aiding Jaws, he promises with a simple look that I will pay for what I’ve done. I may not have pulled the trigger, but he still holds me accountable for her death. But he’ll have to wait in line.

  I make my way over to Tiger, who is cowering with her ears covered. Yanking her up, I cover her with my body and drag her toward the exit. I lead the way out the door and toward safety where we make a mad dash for my truck and take cover behind it.

  Bullets zip past us, indicating the men left standing are following in hot pursuit. I’m running out of time. “Take the keys and go get your son,” I say quickly, placing the keys into her palm. “Here.” I give her a gun. “You know how to use it.”

  She nods shakily.

  “Aim for the body or head. It’s a kill shot. Don’t aim for the leg. It’ll only slow them down,” I instruct, wishing we had more time.

  “No,” she begins to contest but soon stops.

  “I’ve sent you a text with the address of where Jordy is,” Jaws reveals calmly.

  Tiger looks at me, working her lip. “Christopher, please, don’t do this.”

  “It’s too late for me, lil’ sis. I made my choice. And so did you.”

>   She casts her gaze downward, ashamed.

  If this were some Hallmark movie or romance novel, the hero would uncover a way to save him and his girl. But this is real life, and I’m not a hero. I killed him…among others.

  Before she has a chance to argue, I press a kiss to her forehead. “I made you a promise, and I never break my promises.” And those are my parting words.

  I stand, and Jaws follows as we run toward his Jeep. Tiger screams, begging for me to stop, but I can’t. If I do, I won’t be able to go through with the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Yes, she betrayed me, but I don’t blame her. She did what any mother, what any family would do for their kin.

  Am I not doing the same thing for mine?

  Jaws unlocks the car, and we jump in before he starts the engine and speeds off into the night. Looking over my shoulder, I see the three men fire into the night but miss. I anxiously await the lights of my truck to switch on, hinting Tiger is inside.

  When they flick on before the car takes off with haste, I exhale in relief. She’s safe.

  Turning back around, I don’t bother with my seat belt as safety first isn’t my motto for this car ride. I cradle my broken hand, numb to any pain. I have no idea where we’re headed, but it doesn’t matter. The result is the same.

  “You really love her, don’t you?”

  If Jaws is expecting a heart to heart, he’s sorely mistaken. I continue staring out the windshield, hoping he stops talking.

  “If I gave a shit, I’d play the part of big brother and ask what your intentions are. But I don’t care. You’re not going to live long enough anyway.” But she is his weakness. She’s both of ours. If she wasn’t, he would have killed Jordy days ago.

  “What are you waiting for then? A fucking written invitation?” I snap, so done with hearing his voice.

  “There is one more thing I need from you, and then you’ll get your wish.”

  His comment piques my interest. I don’t have a chance to ask what he wants, however, because I feel a sharp smack at my temple, and then everything finally falls silent.

  Bull

  I wake, but when I feel the sharp sting around my wrists and ankles, I wish for another hour’s reprieve. Opening my eyes, I’m surprised I can see and am not blindfolded. I recognize my surroundings.

  I’m at Blue Bloods.

  Jaws has home turf advantage, and I know this was done on purpose. Didn’t I do the same with Kong? A predator feels most comfortable in his own environment. There are no threats here. He can take his time, and when I lay my eyes on him, I know he intends to draw this out for as long as possible.

  “Ah, finally, you’re awake,” he says. He’s straddling a chair in front of me, smoking a cigar.

  “If I have to listen to you speak for one more minute, I’d rather you kill me now,” I retort, my broken hand throbbing when I tug at the restraints.

  Jaws laughs, a deep, throaty cackle. “It’s such a shame I have to kill you because I actually like you.”

  “Well, unlike me, please,” I bark, wondering what he’s waiting for.

  Jaws continues smoking, ignoring my request. “I know José is Stevie’s supplier,” he reveals. “I just needed you to rehash all the information I didn’t know. I have a suspicion he was the one who got you to Scrooge. Only he could pull something like that off.”

  I don’t bother answering.

  “Poor Scrooge. I bet he didn’t see that coming.” If I believed he had a heart, I would actually think he gave two shits. “What did you do to him?”

  Deadpanning him, I reply, “I slit his throat before tossing his weighted ass off the side of a boat.”

  There really is no way to sugarcoat it.

  He takes his time inhaling the smoke before blowing a ring in the air. “He was the only one I actually gave a fuck about.”

  “That’s because you’re both fucking insane. So what do you want with me?”

  Jaws sighs before coming to a slow stand. “You killed all my friends. I need new ones. Stevie knows we’re here. It’s only a matter of time before he arrives, out for vengeance, and when he does, I will do what I should have done years ago…I’ll put a bullet in his head.”

  This entire thing comes down to one thing—greed with revenge thrown in for good measure.

  “I don’t think José will be interested in a long-lost reunion when he finds out what you did to Bianca,” I remind him.

  But his smirk hints that he’s already thought this through.

  “Me?” He feigns innocence. “I didn’t kill anyone. Stevie pulled the trigger. Riddled with jealousy, he killed his beloved.”

  I’ll give it to him; he’s a devious asshole.

  “This is the in I need to get back with the family. What did you do for José to give you Scrooge?”

  “I threw a fight,” I reply, not seeing the point in holding back. “José got paid a lot of money. Stevie got left red-faced.”

  Jaws claps happily. “This just gets better and better. That asshole screwed me over, do you know that?”

  “Yes,” I say, surprising him. “Scrooge told me all about it…before I severed his vocal cords that is.”

  Jaws stops clapping, unhappy I keep raining on his parade.

  “Why didn’t you just kill Stevie back at the warehouse? Why bring him here?”

  “Because he will come here, looking for revenge on both you and me. And a man led by his emotions is a weak man.” He looks at me pointedly. “I told you, I want to take it all from him. Every minute he’s alive, he has to relive the anguish of Bianca bleeding out in his arms.”

  “I thought you loved her.”

  “I do,” he replies with a wave of his hand. “But where did that get me? Besides, I have another queen now.”

  Even tied to a chair, I straighten my spine, ready to rip out his tongue. “You leave her alone,” I warn, disgusted that he sees Tiger this way. “You got what you wanted.”

  “I can’t believe you’ll still defend her after she betrayed you that way. She played you.”

  Thanks, asshole, for reminding me, not that I could forget. But I don’t blame her for what she did.

  “No, I didn’t actually get what I want,” he argues, walking forward. “Once again, I’ll have to share her love with a dead man.”

  I curl my lip, disgusted. “I knew you were a sick bastard, but this is revolting, even by your standards.”

  He laughs, tipping his face to the ceiling. “Marrying one’s kin was encouraged once upon a time. There is nothing wrong with strengthening a superior bloodline.”

  “Motherfucker, it’s called incest, no matter what century you live in.”

  He tsks me, tilting his head to the side. “We may share the same mother, but our fathers could be any of the random men who visited Mom’s trailer late at night.” I’ve never heard the word mom sound so dirty before. “So technically, we’re only half-siblings.”

  This is news to me and I’m sure Tiger, as she never mentioned this before.

  “That’s still called incest, asshole, and rape because there is no way Tiger will become your motherfucking queen, you sick creep.”

  Jaws butts out his cigar on the dance floor. “I suppose you’ll never know. My guests should be here any moment now,” he says, looking at his Rolex.

  Glaring at him, I don’t fail to notice his use of the word guests, as in more than one. Seems the reason I’m still alive is about to be revealed.

  “You’re going to corroborate my story when José gets here. He clearly trusts you. You will tell him Stevie shot Bianca because he found out we were fooling around behind his back, and I had no other choice but to end him.”

  I shake my head, laughing. “Why the fuck would I help you? Once was more than enough.”

  “Because if you don’t, every person you’ve grown to love will pay. You think you’re dead inside, that a monster lurks within. But tell me you’ll be okay with having Lotus, Venus, the girls, your cat. Oh, and of course your parents, your h
alf-siblings’ deaths on your hands.”

  Time stands still. “What?”

  Jaws places a hand over his mouth, faking shock. “Oops, you didn’t know? Yes, you’re now the older brother. To two little rug rats.”

  “You’re lying,” I snarl between clenched teeth, but what if he’s not? It’s not like I can confirm with my parents. I haven’t seen them for years. I’ve been so hell-bent on avenging the death of my brother that I didn’t stop to think that life for anyone else has gone on.

  I never once thought about seeking out my parents since I’ve been out. It never mattered, but now, it suddenly does. And I am tied to a fucking chair, once again being blackmailed by this piece of shit.

  “I’m not.” Jaws’s reply is dripping with confidence. “And I have no issues wiping out your entire bloodline.”

  Inhaling, I tip my face to the heavens, needing a minute.

  When I’ve calmed down, it seems divine intervention has finally decided to cut me some slack. “Fuck you, you’re all talk. You think you own this town, but you’re delusional. If you did, you wouldn’t resort to blackmailing me. Again. You’re nothing.”

  Jaws’s smirk soon fades. He clearly wasn’t expecting that response, which is what I wanted as I can’t do jack shit tied to a chair.

  He takes a moment before storming over and punching me straight in the jaw. Motherfucker can pack a punch, but I laugh in response as hot blood trickles down my chin. “The truth hurts, doesn’t it?”

  Again, he punches me in the face. And again, I laugh hysterically. The pain, the blood, it’s so worth it.

  Jaws punches me a couple more times, and I hiss sharply when he breaks my nose. Dropping my chin to my chest, I watch as a waterfall of red stains my shirt and the dance floor.

  “Not laughing now, are you?”

  “Actually…I am,” I whisper on purpose.

  “What did you say to me?” Jaws screams, grabbing my hair and jerking my neck back. “I can’t hear you.”

  I deliberately string my words together, infuriating Jaws further because when he lowers his face to my lips so he can hear me, I lunge forward and bite his throat. He howls in surprise, attempting to pull away, but I have him, and I don’t plan on letting go until I tear his fucking esophagus out.