Smoke’s eyes move to me. “I get it, man. I do. She’s your girl, and you don’t want anything bad to happen to her, but this is her decision. You need to let her decide if she wants to do it or not.”
“Mac…” she starts.
I shake my head. “No. I promised to protect you, and I can’t do that if they are using you as bait.”
She winces at the word, but then grabs my hand, staring into my eyes. “I have lived every day of my life for that man. He hasbeaten me and threatened me. He has used my kids to keep me in line. He will not stop as long as he is free. If that means that I play bait and take a few more bruises to finally be rid of him, then I’m doing it. He has already taken so many choices from me. Please don’t be the one to take this one.”
I frown, hating that she feels that way. I would never take her choices away, but what the fuck am I supposed to do? I can’t watch her put herself in danger.
“I’ll be okay. You will be there before he hurts me more than he already has. Isn’t that right, Smoke?” she asks.
“Absolutely.”
I rub my hand down my face. “I don’t like this.”
“Me neither, but then it will be over. We can finally be together without my past hanging over our heads,” Jane says, breaking my heart.
Son of a bitch.
I nod to Smoke, showing I agree.
“Okay, so this is the plan…” Smoke says.
The ride on Mac’s bike over to the house I have come to call mine feels like it flashes by. I don’t even get to truly enjoy it as he pulls into the drive. We both get off, walking up to the house hand in hand. I unlock the door, stepping inside.
It feels so different now.
What was once a safe haven is now flooded with the memory of those men breaking in. I know after tonight, all I will see is Evan when I come in here. As much as I love Mac and want to be with him, we will need to move. I can’t stay in this place.
Shaking my thoughts off, I turn to Mac.
“This is it,” I tell him.
He grabs both of my hands, squeezing them between his much bigger ones.
“Are you sure about this? It’s not too late. We can find another way.”
I shake my head. “Most of my life, I have been playing by his rules. Tonight, he plays by mine. I’ll get what you need, then say the word. You and the rest of the guys will come in and save me.”
He nods. “Tank is out front. We don’t know what he is going to do in order to get past him, but remember, Tank is allowing him to come to the door, and he will be right there. Here are a knife and a gun. Use them if you feel you are in danger and cannot say the word.”
He hands me the items. They make me uncomfortable. I don’t like the idea of having to hurt anyone, even Evan. As much as I hate him, I can’t see myself stabbing him.
Then again, if it’s me or him, will I?
I shake the thoughts away.
“I know. I remember the plan. You should go,” I say softly.
He leans in, kissing me like it is the only thing in the world he has left to do. When he finally pulls back, he presses a kiss to my forehead.
“I love you, Jane. More than you know. Please be safe.”
I can’t help the small smile despite the situation we are in.
“I love you, Colin,” I say, using his real name. “You be safe too.”
His eyes flare. “I can’t wait to hear you calling out my name.”
