With pain building under my sternum, I lean back against the wall. Keeping a clear view of that single bed and the woman that’s magnetized me.
Dammit.
Fucking sick that I can’t take my eyes off of her. And it’s not just because I’ll break my own fucking back to keep her safe.
“Brother,” Truck says quietly as he comes toward me, looking oddly casual for such a bad mother-fucker. “What went down?”
“Some motherfucker smacked her around, I got there too late, but I stuck myself right into the middle of whatever’s going on. I’ve got a license plate, she knows who it is, but won’t let me report it.”
He glances at Jade who is now tucked in, hands clasped below her cheeks, dark shadows hugging the hollows of her cheeks.
“There’s more.” I curse. “Lots fucking more. She’s got some kind of info she thinks he wants. And the tags came back with bad news. Mako’s been on it for me.”
His sharp focus turns inward for a moment, cataloging details. “What can we do?”
No judgement. Simply, how can the team help.
I take two steps away from the door, turning so we won’t bother her.
“We need everything we can find on that bastard and whoever was in the car with him. After Jade’s rested, she’s going to give me a look at some intel she’s got.”
We look at each other for a moment.
This isn’t going to just blow over.
A wall of determination hardens Truck’s battle-scarred face. It wasn’t that long ago that Allison was the one in danger and he was loosing his fucking mind.
Jesus.
“At least you didn’t kidnap her,” he rumbles.
When I don’t answer, he straightens. “Did you?”
“Not yet.”
Unlike him, who kidnapped Allison to buy himself some alone time with her and make sure she was safe.
Now I get it.
“You sure you guys can put some energy into this?” I ask, worrying the heel of my hand against my chest. Fuck it’s tight in there.
He grunts, staring at me. “Seriously, man? You really fucking just asked me that. You know we protect what’s ours, and given the way you look right now, she’syourswhether you want to admit it or not.”
I look away.
No. Jade isn’t mine.
I’ve never had someone. Probably won’t.
He clasps a hand on my shoulder. “I do have some bad news. Sorry to tell you this, but we’re running another mission tonight, and you’ve been tapped.”
“Copy. Hey,” I pause, trying to figure out exactly what needs to be said here. “Just so you know where my head is, she’s running on fumes. I think she’s been living in a hotel or maybe her car. Her suitcase is in the back of the car. She’s definitely been on the run. I think we need to get her car out of here ASAP.”
His expression turns hard as he focuses on the open bedroom door. “On it, and Ryker, you know she doesn’t have to run now.”
“My thoughts exactly. Jade didn’t reveal much. But what she said gave me obsessive need to unfuck her life.”
When I look at Truck again, he’s wearing a knowing look. “She got you.”
