Chapter Sixteen

 

JESSIE

 

Despite his promise, I haven’t heard from Daryl all night, and I slept with the ringer on hoping to hear his voice, but was instead awaken by a call from Captain McCall. Without any information, I was asked to get into work immediately and I jumped at the order. Pulling into work, I glance at my phone once more before walking into the office, but nothing.

I’ve been talking myself off the ledge all night, trying not to be upset and knowing that I can’t. Not after how he behaved last night, all he told me and how he treated me. He’s like a new person the way he expresses himself instead of forcing me to assume his feelings.

Sauntering into the office, I’m so lost to my feelings, I don’t even notice the tactical squad in all black huddled in the corner until captain’s booming voice jolts me.

“Carter! Meeting! Now!” He yells and I drop everything and head into his office. Earl, Jed, and Cole are all already sitting, dressed in all black.

“What’s going on?” I glance to each one of them.

“Sorry, we didn’t want to tell you over the phone because we knew you’d be here shortly,” Captain begins and I feel relief flood through me knowing I wasn’t forgotten about.

“We got a tip from inside the Marauders. They’re moving guns and possibly heroine and it all went down last night,” Captain explains and my heart drops thinking of Daryl and his unexplained absence the previous night.

“Okay,” I nod, trying to stay coherent.

“So the raid is tonight, well technically this morning. We’re moving in at 2 AM, and I want you to be my point woman,” his eye sparkles with pride and I instantly focus, knowing my career comes first.

“Of course, sir!” I smile and look over to the guys who all look excited and anxious at the same time.

“Let’s do this!” Cole yells and we all slap hands as I jet to the locker room to switch into my black tactical gear.

I check my phone one last time before we all hop into black suburban SUVs provided by the neighboring police unit who will be serving as our backup.

My heart is racing as I countdown from ten over and over in an attempt to keep my cool as we arrive at Jane Town, which the Marauders have taken over. The parking lot is full of bikes, so we know they’re inside.

Using hand signals, Captain instructs us all and I’m the first through the door as we swamp the place in our black gear with weapons drawn.

“POLICE! EVERYBODY DOWN!” I yell, and half the room raises their hands while the other half take off running.

Scanning the room quickly, I don’t spot Daryl, but I do see Caleb, and knowing he’s the reason Daryl left me in the first place, I I holster my gun and go after him with a vengeance. The bar is dimly lit, but I never lose sight of him, jumping over tables and dodging chairs until we’re face to face.

“Caleb Hayes, you’re under arrest,” I yell, but I can tell from the look In his eyes he’s not going without a fight.

“Fuck you!” He yells as I reach for his wrist, his right fist barely missing my face as he swings with all his might.

Backing up, I move in, kicking his chin as hard as I can and he winces, before striking me in the stomach with his fist. Reaching for my wand, I crack him in his ribs and he howls in pain, but he’s too much bigger than me to beat him in a physical battle. Tackling me to the ground, I feel the wind knock out of me as my back hits the cold floor, Caleb on top of me, wrapping his hands around my neck.

Trying to reach for anything to each side of me, I grasp my fingers, but can’t feel anything, as my vision blurs. Caleb’s tight grip on my neck is strangling the life out of me, making me too weak to fight him off at this point. Mt words sound like whispers as I fight to even get a word out.

Just when I feel myself fading out of consciousness, his grip loosens, his body falling to the side with a big thud. My hands fly to my throat, which feels to be on fire after such intense pressure. My chest is heaving as I struggle to catch my breath, my vision clearing up after the tears fade.

“Baby… Baby, are you okay?” Johnnie asks, his voice laced with concern and sincerity, and my heart swells with love.

“Daryl, you hit your brother,” I turn to look at Caleb, but he’s knocked unconscious. I thought for sure another officer had saved me. I didn’t even think Daryl was here, and I had no expectation of him saving me, especially from his brother’s grip.

“I don’t care about him, Jessie. All I care about is you. I love you, Jessie, and I never want to be without you,” his voice is rushed and shaky, like he’s been practicing this speech, but he’s still terrified to say the words.

“You love me?” I manage, trying to sit up.

“You know I love you, Jessie. And you love me too,” he smirks.

I feel the blood rushing to my face. I knew I loved Daryl long ago, but I’ve not even admitted it to myself yet. He’s the man of my dreams and the best part of my new chapter. Of course, I love him.

His words were so much to take in last night, and all I could think about all morning, but his actions are even more impressive. He can say how he feels, but showing me is even more important.

“Yes. I love you too,” I admit, a grin spreading across my face.

“I know. Now let me look at you,” his face grows serious as his hands rush over my neck, and then graze over my face. When he touches my belly, I wince and he grimaces, glaring over at his brother.

“I’ll be okay,” I assure him.

“Yeah, because I’m going to take care of you,” he answers seriously and I can’t help but giggle.

“Really? Even here injured, you’re giggling?” He snickers and we both laugh together.

“Come on, I want the paramedics to look over you,” he lifts me to my feet like I weigh a pound, leading me out of the bar which is now in complete chaos.

Sitting in the back of the ambulance, the nurse looks over my body and assures me everything is okay. I’ve got a couple bruised ribs, but no broken bones, which is a good sign.

“You did great,” Captain McCall says.

“I don’t know about that,” I scrunch my face in confusion.

“All the major players got away. Caleb was on his way out the door and you stopped him. I’d say you did a damn good job,” he pats my shoulder and I wince in pain.

“Sorry, Hollywood,” Captain McCall smirks at me before turning to Daryl, “Thanks for everything,” he says before shaking his hand and heading off towards the club.

I watch the interaction with a bit of skepticism. That wasn’t just a thank you for saving my life, that was a partnership look. Was Daryl the one that tipped him off? I can’t be sure, but something about their interaction was definitely suspicious. I make a point to dig into that later.

“Does she need to take some time off work?” Daryl asks the nurse once Captain is far away.

“Well, I would suggest she take it easy,” the nurse looks at me although he’s answering Daryl.

“What’s that? You said she needs to lay up under her boyfriend until he decides she’s healthy enough to return to work?” He jokingly asks and the nurse chuckles before excusing himself.

“My boyfriend?” I repeat his title.

“You’re gonna get enough of fighting this Jessie. Yes, I’m your boyfriend, you’re my girlfriend, and we love each other. Are you all caught up now?” he teases before kissing the tip of my nose.

“Oh yeah?” I smirk up at his handsome face.

“Yep.” He answers matter-of-factly.

“And the next time I’m taking too long to call, you can just shoot me a text. No need to go kicking doors down,” he motions towards the front door and I break out in giggles.

We’re lost in our own moment and don’t even notice the front door of the club fly open and Jed and Cole, each bring out two Marauders members with their hands cuffed behind their backs.

Daryl wraps his arm around my shoulders. I hadn’t even noticed I was shivering. Just then Earl walks out, his hand wrapped around Caleb’s bicep, as both of his hands are cuffed behind his back. I watch in horror, Caleb is bleeding profusely from his head bandage, but I guess he was cleared for transport, since Earl leads him to a police car.

“I’m sorry you had to do that,” I look up at Daryl.

“I’d rather it be me than anybody else,” he answers seriously, his eyes still following his brother as he yells in our direction.

“I’ll be out, Daryl! And you’ll answer for this! Fucking traitor!” He roars before Earl shoves him into the back of a cop car as he howls in pain.

“If I get to have you, then it was worth it,” Daryl says, turning to me.

“Well, you’re stuck with me.” I assure him and he looks deep into my soul with those gray eyes that always tell me so much about him.

In such a short time, we’ve already been through so much, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. If there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that Daryl loves me, and he knows that I love him too. That’s enough for me, and I’m over the moon with the fresh start I’ve dreamed of, and ecstatic that now I get to experience with my dream man, just like it was intended.

“I think you owe me some muffins,” I say, turning to Daryl.

“I owe you a lot more than muffins, but we’ll have to check with the doctor too just how much you can handle, he teases before pressing his lips to mine, kissing me passionately until I can’t catch my breath, but I don’t want to. I just want to get lost in Daryl, forever.