Chapter 12
Josie
My heart was hammering against my chest as we headed towards the front door of the airport. I tried to keep my pace casual with no hint of hesitation, but it was damn near impossible. I felt like every nerve in my body was set on high, making it difficult to even function. I wanted them to think I was feeling confident, that my mind wasn’t teetering on the edge of a mental breakdown, so I tried to appear nonchalant, praying that my flushed cheeks and fidgeting fingers wouldn’t betray me. I didn’t want to give the guys any reason to doubt their decision to bring me along. I wanted to be there, wanted to help bring my sister home, but that didn’t stop the fear from coursing through my veins. I knew what we were planning to do was dangerous, I knew there was a chance we would fail, and it terrified me to think Tristen might not make it back home. There were so many unanswered questions, questions that I was too afraid to ask. I didn’t want to think about it—the thought of losing my sister was just too much to bear. I tried to fight it, but my mind was bombarded with doubts as we continued towards our terminal. Each step brought on more anxiety, more terrifying thoughts, and the fact that neither Big nor Stitch spoke a single word wasn’t helping. I could almost feel the tension rolling off them as we made our way to the gate. Thankfully, by the time we met up with Nitro and two of his men at our gate, they were already calling us to board the plane.
Big placed the palm of his hand on the small of my back and guided me up to the attendant. I handed her my ticket and carefully walked onto the boarding bridge. Once I stepped inside the plane, I went to find my seat. I found it with no problem and sat down. I’d barely gotten settled when Stitch plopped down next to me. I looked around the plane, and Big was nowhere in sight. When I turned back in my seat, Stitch was staring right at me. Damn.
“He’s a few rows in front of us.”
“Umm… okay.” I looked out the window and stared out into the dark, trying to pretend that it wasn’t bugging the hell out of me that the man who had tortured me for hours was sitting right beside me. It wasn’t fear, but anger I felt when I looked at him. I knew it wasn’t his fault and he was just doing his job, but that didn’t change the fact that he’d hurt me. I found myself thinking of little ways I could seek my revenge—like a hard jab into his side with my elbow or pouring hot coffee on his crotch or, even better yet, shaving off his precious beard. I was still conjuring up ideas when the attendant came by to offer us a beverage. Stitch had his head leaned back against his seat and his eyes were closed. I reached for my drink, feeling the cold bite of the ice against my hand, and a smile spread across my face when I thought about dumping it in Stitch’s lap.
He cracked one eye open and glared at me. “Don’t even think about it.”
“What?” I asked defensively.
“You know what.” He closed his eyes once again and feigned sleep. Asshole.
I wanted to forget it ever happened, but every time I looked at him, the memories came trudging back—every surge of pain that jolted through my body when he electrocuted me, the burning sensations that tingled throughout my hands and feet, the taste of copper in my mouth when I bit my tongue. I’d tried to stay strong, thinking I was doing what I had to do to save Tristen, and I’d do it all over again if I thought it would bring her back. Unfortunately, no amount of pain he inflicted on me was going to bring her back.
“You’re not going to let it go, are you?” he asked with his eyebrow cocked.
“What? The fact that you nearly froze me to death and then electrocuted me, like, twenty times? No, I’ve let all that go a long time ago.”
A shiver rippled down my spine as he turned in his seat to face me. The serious look on his face made me regret provoking him. “First, it was three times, not twenty, and I was taking it easy on you.”
“Easy on me? Nothing about that was easy.”
“You know why I had to do it.”
In my mind, I understood. It was my heart that was having the problem letting go. No one had ever hurt me like that, and I was having a hard time forgiving him. His bossy attitude wasn’t helping matters. “Maybe so, but that doesn’t make it right.”
“You gotta remember one thing, Josie. You might not like it, you might not understand it, but at the end of the day, I do whatever it takes to protect my family. Nothing stops me.”
I remember Big saying something similar. Stitch was the enforcer for a reason, but hearing it straight from the horse’s mouth sent chills down my spine. I’d seen for myself what he could do, and I had no doubt that he meant it when he said he took it easy on me. I didn’t know what the next forty-eight hours would bring, but I found myself feeling relieved that Stitch was on my side helping us get my sister back, because I had a feeling we were going to need a man like him to bring her home. While it was still there and gnawing at me, I felt the panic start to dwindle. Maybe, just maybe, we’d be able to pull this thing off. “You know… you’re a real charmer.”
His lips twitched into a grin. “That’s what I’ve been told.”
It was the first time I’d actually seen the man smile, and I hated to admit it, but it looked good on him. His whole demeanor changed, showing that there was another side to him. I liked the smile. I actually found comfort in it and wanted to keep it there. “By the way, your daughter is beautiful.”
I’d found his soft spot, and at just the mention of her, his face lit up. “She is. Looks like her mother.”
“Are you two planning on having any more kids?”
The stiffness in his back eased as he leaned back in his chair. “Maybe someday. We’re still trying to manage the two.”
“Yeah, Wren seemed pretty upset about Wyatt’s teacher the other day. Did she get everything worked out?”
The tension in his body returned, letting me know I’d just screwed the pooch by bringing it up. “What about Wyatt’s teacher?”
I tried to blow it off. “I’m sure it was nothing. She was just a little flustered. No big deal.”
“Josie.”
“Honestly, I don’t remember much about it. It was the first time I’d met everyone, and my mind was still pretty much fried from my night from hell.” He just sat there staring at me, so I knew he wasn’t going to let it go. “She mentioned you weren’t in a good mood, and Wyatt’s teacher was giving him a hard time. She was worried about him and you.”
“Fuck.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. I wasn’t thinking.”
“No. It’s on me, not you.” He rolled his head back and forth, trying to ease the tension in his neck. “I should’ve known something was up.”
“It’s been a hectic few days. I’m sure she understands.” Seeing Stitch in his husband-slash-father role was an interesting sight to see. There are plenty of men in the world who wouldn’t have cared, so it meant something that he was so concerned and that he wanted to know what was going on with his son. I probably should’ve left it, but I asked, “Wren mentioned that he was… different. Do you mind me asking what she meant?”
“He has a high-functioning form of Asperger’s. Honestly, I don’t see anything all that different about him other than he’s smart as hell. He’s an amazing kid.”
“He’s lucky to have a dad who thinks that way.”
“It’s the truth. All of us are different in our own way. I’d take his kind of different any day.”
“Can I offer one piece of advice?” I smiled.
“Yeah?”
“If you go with Wren to talk to his knucklehead teacher, leave your Taser thingie at home.”
His body shook with laughter. “Yeah, you’re probably right about that.”
“Hopefully she will figure out what a great kid Wyatt is on her own. Sometimes, it just takes a little time.”
“Maybe so.”
The seatbelt sign lit up, letting us know the plane was about to land. Fear surged through me when I realized we were about to be in the same city where my sister was being held captive. There was so much going against us, and the chance of getting my sister back was slim, to say the least. I just prayed that these men knew what the hell they were doing and we didn’t all get ourselves killed. Stitch must’ve picked up on my apprehension, so he placed his hand on my arm. “It’ll be all right, Josie. One way or another, we are bringing Tristen back.”
There was no doubt resting behind his eyes – only pure determination. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. Just doing my job.”
The plane landed, and after we grabbed our bags, we went straight to our rental car. Big had gotten us a black SUV with dark tinted windows. After we put our bags into the back, Big walked over and got in the driver’s seat while Nitro got in beside him. Nitro’s guys crawled into the very back of the vehicle, leaving Stitch and me to sit together in the middle. This time I didn’t feel the same apprehension as I did earlier. Surprisingly, I’d let go of my resentment for him and was actually starting to like the man. I’d been so wrong about so many things, especially my attitude towards the men of Satan’s Fury. They may in fact do bad things, but they are good men with hearts that bleed and souls that are pure and true. They are loyal to a fault, and I would forever be indebted to them for helping me.
We pulled up to the hotel and my mouth dropped open. The place looked like something out of a movie. It must’ve cost a fortune to get a room here, a place for politicians, doctors, and lawyers, and I wondered how Nitro could afford it. I had the sneaking suspicion that his money hadn’t come from a legitimate occupation, making me wonder what he actually did to make his fortune. “We’re staying here?”
“Yep,” Nitro answered.
“It’s beautiful, but …”
Big turned to me and said, “Gotta keep up the show. Nitro is supposed to be a high roller. It’s expected that he’ll stay in the best place in town.”
“Supposed to be? Hell, I am,” Nitro snickered. “Highest mother fucking roller around.”
“And that’s why you eat ramen noodles most nights,” Big taunted.
“No. I eat ramen noodles because they are the shit, brother. Pop those suckers in the microwave, and a minute later, you have yourself a hot meal.”
“You need yourself a woman.”
Nitro’s brows furrowed and his lips dropped into a frown. “I need a woman like I need a fucking bullet to the head.”
“Just saying… there’s something to be said for coming home to a hot meal on the table.” Stitch smiled as he waited for Nitro to respond.
“I’ll settle for a hot piece of ass any day.”
Listening to their banter made me realize why women don’t travel alone with three men. I think they’d all but forgotten that I was still sitting there, so I added, “The trick is finding someone who will give you both.”
I kept my smile to myself when they all turned and looked at me with surprise. Choosing to end the conversation there, Big parked the truck and we all got out. I did my best to act unfazed as we walked into the fancy hotel. It was like walking into another world and hiding my apprehension wasn’t easy. Everything glittered and shined, including all the people who stopped in their tracks and watched as we approached the front desk. The beautiful blonde receptionist smiled as she asked, “How may I help you tonight?”
“Checking in. Nathan James.”
After a few clicks on her keyboard, her eyes widened with disbelief. She quickly collected herself and purred, “Yes, Mr. James. We have the penthouse suite ready for you, along with two other rooms.”
He took out his credit card and slid it across the counter in her direction. “That’ll be perfect.”
After she rang everything up, she looked up at Nitro. Her long eyelashes fluttered as she leaned towards him and licked her bottom lip as she offered him the electronic room cards. “You’re all set. Is there anything else I can help you with, Mr. James?”
There’s friendly, and then there’s the “I’m a whore, come screw me later tonight” kind of friendly. This chick was the latter, and Nitro seemed amused by her advances. A mischievous grin crossed his face as he took the cards from her hand. “This will do it… for now.”
“I’ll be right here if you need anything at all.”
After a quick nod, he turned and started for the elevator. No one spoke as we made it up to the top floor. Once we reached the penthouse, Nitro placed the card in the slot and the door clicked open. We followed him inside and I marveled at how big and luxurious the room was. I found myself staring at Nitro with visions of bank heists and large crates of drugs crossing the border. When the men started talking amongst themselves, I started to meander through the room, running the tips of my fingers across the soft fabrics and the cold marble countertops, and I was amazed at how spectacular everything was. I’d always wondered what these rooms were like, but I could’ve never imagined they’d be like this. I was still lost in wonder when Big walked over to me. “You ready to get settled?”
“Sure.”
Big took a few steps and opened the door to the side suite revealing an additional bedroom. “I’ll bring your bags up in a bit.”
“Wait. I’m staying up here… with Nitro?”
“Yes.”
“But why?”
“Like you said, Nitro isn’t the kind of man who has to pay for arm candy.”
“Seriously? I’m supposed to be with him?”
“It’s just for show, Josie. He’ll stay in his room, and his guys will crash on the sofas. Consider it a small sacrifice to get your sister back.”
I fought the frantic frenzy that was building inside of me, knowing I would do anything to help them find Tristen. Even though I wasn’t thrilled with the arrangement, I accepted my fate and stepped inside the room. “Fine.”
I was about to shut the door when I felt Big’s hand on my arm and I was suddenly pulled back over to him. His eyes locked on mine with a fierceness that demanded my attention. “Just so you know, I don’t like this any more than you do. If I had it my way, you’d be in my room… in my bed.”
His words hit me like a two-ton truck. I knew there was an attraction between us, I’d felt it since he’d pulled me down from that hook, but he’d never acted on it. Before I had a chance to react, he released his hold on my arm and walked away, leaving me standing there in a complete daze. Damn. I couldn’t tell if I was coming or going as I closed the door and walked over to the bed. I didn’t even bother changing clothes before crawling under the covers. There were so many emotions swirling inside of me, making me just want to curl up into a ball and cry. Tristen was just a few miles away. I wanted to go to her, tear her away from those monsters, and run far, far away from this place. Without even realizing I was crying, I felt my tears trickling down my cheeks. I’d tried so hard, did everything I could think of to get to her, and the fear of messing things up scared me to death. One wrong move and everything I’d tried to do would be in vain. I’d just about worked myself into a complete meltdown when I heard a tap at my door. I quickly wiped my tears from my face and sat up on the bed.
“It’s open.”
Nitro stepped inside with my duffle bag in his hand. “Big just dropped this off.”
“Thanks. Just leave it by the door.”
With his voice filled with concern, he asked, “You doing okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. Just tired.”
“I could order some room service or something?”
It was sweet of him to offer, but I wasn’t in the mood for food or company. “I’m good. Just need to get some sleep.”
“Suit yourself.” He turned to leave, but before he left, he turned back to me and said, “It’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to have a complete meltdown and trudge through the damn swamps. Do what you gotta do, but by morning, you’re gonna have to shake that shit off. We need you, and your sister does, too.”