Page 52 of Tech

I was supposed to inject him with the heroin. Instead, I fucking tortured him. Sniper made it look like a deal gone wrong, not sure how, but he did.

I shake my head and ask, “Do you think she’s capable of it, Theo?”

He sighs and I look at him, his eyes on the building.

“Fuck, brother…after everything that’s come out about your momma lately, I just….” He sighs and casts me a concerned gaze. “Nina, yes, she’s fucking capable, your momma, though…. I’m beginning to think maybe she could be, but even saying that out loud makes me feel guilty.”

I look back at the building and murmur, “Yeah, that was my thought.”

“Brother,” he says sternly, causing me to look his way again. He states, “Go see your girl. I know she thinks you're not together right now, but you are, she still has your cut. Go see her, brother. The rest, we’ll figure out because, right now, everything is fresh. We need to watch them both and set up surveillance. Go see your girl.”

I give him a nod, and start my bike, then state, “Just because my head’s fucked right now, doesn’t mean you’re getting out of explaining that ring.”

He groans, dropping his head, making me chuckle as I spin out of the parking lot, heading to my girl’s. After not seeing her for two days, my body pulls toward her.

An hour later, I’m leaning against her doorframe, waiting. She knows I’m here; I know she heard me drive in.

When I hear the click of her door, I physically relax, and when we lock eyes, guilt fills me like no other.

Someone paid to have her raped, someone who could have been my mother.

“James?” she questions, her brows furrowed at seeing my defeat, and I push myself off the frame and stalk toward her, before taking her lips with mine. She gasps, allowing me to push my tongue into her mouth, my hands going to her hips, lifting her.

Brook wraps her arms around my neck, her legs around my waist, and kisses me back harder, and I instantly feel whole again.

When she’s in my arms, nothing else matters but her.

16

Brook – Three Weeks Later

I bite my bottom lip as I gently trace James’ nose with the tip of my finger as he sleeps, half my body lying on his muscular one, his left arm wrapped around my waist; even in his sleep, he’s worried I will leave.

I lean my head on his shoulder, watching him contentedly.

Right here is my safe place; being in his arms is the only place I want to be. It’s probably why we still have a sexual relationship.

That, and he won’t allow me to end us; he’s fighting with everything that he is, while I’m struggling with our reality.

He deserves someone better than me….

“You should be asleep, Angel,” he rasps into the dark room, his eyes still closed, and I smile a little. Normally, I’d be gone by now, but I couldn’t force myself to leave; it’s getting harder each time I’m with him.

I love him.

I nod slightly, moving my finger to his beard, which I admit I’m glad he’s kept because it suits him.

“I couldn’t sleep,” I whisper, focusing on his face, taking in every detail from the laugh lines near his eyes to how his lips curve up when he looks at me.

Slowly, he opens his eyes and looks down at me. Nothing but love shines through those beautiful ocean eyes, making my skin tingle.

He makes me feel like I’m the only girl in the world, the only one on his radar.

Leaning down, he gently kisses me, his left arm tightening around me as he rasps, “I’m glad you’re still here, baby.” His warm breath fans my lips.

I nod. It’s nearly two in the morning, and I know I’ll still be gone before he wakes again at six; I have to get to work and set up for the day.

The sooner Anna, my new vet, starts, the better.

---