Dallas
“Do you have her?” I yelled into my cell when Jackson picked up on the first ring.
“Yes, sir,” I never thought two words could release me form so much fear in my life. Knowing Delaney was safe and out of harm’s way made what I was about to do so much easier. After getting the run down from Jackson I knew that poor bastard that held Delaney, had no time to warn Teddy before they got to him; we still had the element of surprise on our side. All he knows for sure is that I’m eager to get Delaney back and will cooperate with his demands.
I was only minutes away from the pinned location Teddy sent me, an old business district that seemed to have seen better days. The ‘for sale’ signs on each building gave me the impression that they were vacant, which would make my plan even easier to execute.
If this was going to work the way I hoped, we would have to work very quickly before he had the chance to make an escape or to realize Delaney wasn’t in his possession.
As we made our way to the end of a long row of abandoned businesses, I saw his arrogant ass standing next to a blacked-out sedan.
Our plan was this: Jacob and I would show up and meet him alone, all while the others walked up on foot, hopefully in time to assist whatever may happen in thismeeting, keeping the fact that he was outnumbered and shit out of luck,
under wraps until the last minute. The fact that there were bushes and buildings and gates to keep them hidden was a major plus.
* * *
I opened the door and was immediately met by a big motherfucker with a pistol pointed at my side. I instinctively threw my hands up in surrender.
“Easy, these papers aren’t any good without my signature.” I reminded him, raising a stack of fake forms to transfer all my business properties into Teddy’s name and all my liquidated assets, from my breast pocket.
“Be careful, you will get your fun soon enough.” Teddy smirked at the man who was now pushing me toward Teddy and another man. I glanced over to see Lindsey sitting in the front seat of the car picking at her nails feigning boredom. The red that streaked her cheeks when she made eye contact with me told me she wasn’t as bored as she let on.
“Hey, Rico Suave, eyes over here.” Teddy’s high pitched squeal of a voice rang in the air, pulling me from the staredown I was unintentionally having with Lindsey. I smiled and blew her a kiss, just to keep her flustered. I may need to use her for a decoy later.
“Here Teddy, your papers.” I tossed the forms toward him, then they slid down the hood of the car onto the ground. “Now, where’sDelaney?” I questioned putting on my bestscared boyfriendfacade.
A heavy blow to the back of my head made me wince when the buff guy smacked his pistol handle against my skull.
“Pick those up.” He demanded, pressing the barrel against my temple this time.
“Oh hey man, no need for violence. It’s cool.” I chuckled trying to hide my ever growing rage that was threatening to boil over. It wasn’t time to reveal my hand yet, but boy was I going to enjoy it when I did. I was going to enjoy taking these assholes down, starting with the big goofy motherfucker. Wiping that ugly grin from his face was going to be a highlight of this whole thing.
“Now, what have we here?” Teddy cooed when I handed him the forms. He stood staring over a handful of papers with the club’s logo at the top. He swayed ever so slightly side to side like he could never relax, his lopsided body uneven when he walked. I noticed his limp when he was trying his intimidation tactic as I kept my eyes locked on his so he couldn’t tell I saw his handicap. Some sympathetic, Stockholm-Syndrome part of me felt bad for him. He was repulsive when he would undress me with his eyes but it also felt like he was forcing the action to try to intimidate me, like he was trying hard to make himself seem authoritative. His hair was awkwardly grown out from a sad attempt at dying it black and was thinning at the top, his roots revealing his age.
I didn’t have to look, I could already feel the powerful presence of Enzo and my team approaching. They knew to wait for my signal.
When Teddy’s eyes darted to something in the distance, I chuckled, drawing all the attention to me. My laugh got louder and obviously intentional.
“What the fuck is so funny?” Teddy snapped, anger filled his eyes. A crimson flush covered his neck and face. Knowing I was under his skin was so satisfying…
“Hey, you gotta still find your happiness even when yourhatersthinkthey’ve won.” A smirk raised the corner of my lips.
Teddy’s eyes narrowed, “See that’s where you’re mistaken,” his spirit suddenly lifted in his tone.
“I don’t just think I’ve won, I know I’ve won. It’s been my goal for the last twelve years of my life. To watch you haveeverythingtaken from you as quickly as I did twelve years ago.”
I was confused by his statement, but remained hopeful that I’d get the answers I desperately needed.
“To have so much: popularity, athletic career, and…” he sucked in a breath, “the girl.” His voice cracked at the last part.
“What does any of that have to do with you?” I snapped, provoked at just the mention of Natalie.
“You took it all for granted, you didn’t deserve her, or any of it. You were just a hot-headed, entitled, prick that had everything handed to you.” He spit his words at me through gritted teeth.
I sensed a vulnerability in him as he spilled over with jealousy and anger. Maybe I could use this moment where he’s weak to exploit him…
“You had it all too, once upon a time, it’s no one’s fault you got injured and had to give up your football career, it happens man.” I tried to level with him for reasons I couldn’t explain.
