Page 22 of Guardian

“Oh god! What was in the bag? Was it an animal or just bloody meat? Please, not Mrs. Gruber’s cat.” I gagged at the thought.

“No, but she was afraid it might be. It turned out to be a squirrel. Do you have enemies, ma’am? The note we found was threatening, and a bloody dead animal is often a sign of retribution for something you’ve supposedly done wrong,” Officer Carmichael explained.

“I don’t really have enemies, and I’ve done nothing to deserve this. However, my ex has made himself an issue in my life. He brought his trouble to my door. This may have something to do with him and his illegal way of earning a living, although it’s probably more about the money he owes rather than what he’s earned. What did the note say?” I asked.

He handed over a clear, sealed evidence bag so I could read it for myself.

His sins are your sins. We’ll get payment one way or another. We take flesh from you or him. It’s all the same to us. We won’t wait forever.

“We’ll be taking that in for fingerprinting and DNA testing. But I doubt we’ll find much. Whoever did this will have been careful. I’m leaving an officer in a car outside the house for tonight in case they come back, but the budget and lack of staff won’t allow me to keep one here longer than that,” the officer declared.

“I understand. If you’ll come inside and turn off those flashing lights so that the neighbors go to bed, I’ll tell you everything I know or imagine about Mitch’s trouble.”

He nodded, sent his newbie to shut off the lights, and followed me inside. Sweet stomped his way in, too. I could feel the rage coming off him. He was definitely not going to wait for the police to deal with Mitch or his enemies. He was making plans of his own to finish this mess, and I was okay with that. Jackson’s life was worth more than remaining on the legal side of things.

Chapter 11

I halfheartedly listened toJemma as she spilled her guts to the cop. Carmichael wasn’t a fool. He’d dealt with the criminals who posed as legit businessmen in Texas for over a decade.

I knew he was coming to the same conclusion I already had. Mitch had stupidly gotten into cahoots with the cartel, and now his family had come to their attention. He’d screwed up royally and would end up dead for it.

My concern was for Jemma and Jackson. For some reason beyond my comprehension, or maybe because I chose not to think about it, they were mine. They had become my responsibility to protect.

Playing the knight in shining armor wasn’t in my normal wheelhouse. I used people then dropped them like a hot potato. This time was different, and it was fucking with my brain.

“We’ll do what we can, but if your ex is involved with the cartel, as I suspect, it won’t be easy to extract him. I’m sorry tosay that if he doesn’t pay his debt, then he’s practically signed his own death warrant. Worse, we’ve spent years trying to put those people behind bars and haven’t managed to get anywhere with it. Now, we’re aware they have themselves a new leader. Aguilar is less generous to those that defy him than Perez ever was, and that’s making light of it. I can’t even order them questioned or watched because we have no proof that they’re involved, just that your ex pissed off somebody he owes money. I’m sorry for your predicament,” Carmichael stated.

Jemma nodded, resigned to dealing with the issue alone, but there was no way in hell I’d allow that to happen. As far as I was concerned, she’d never be alone again.

I was about to risk Prime’s anger once more because this little family meant that much to me.

“Jemma, I’ve got some business that has to be taken care of. The cop outside will keep you safe for a couple of hours, but I promise I’ll be back. I’ll stay like I did before and watch over you and Jackson. I’ll die before I let anyone past me,” I swore.

She gave me a sad smile before saying, “This isn’t your problem, Sweet. I married the little asshole, so it was my mistake. Kicking his ass to the curb should have freed me, but it didn’t. It’s practically impossible to get rid of cockroaches once they’ve infested your home, and that’s what Mitch is, a damn cockroach. I know you’re needed at the bar. Got to work and forget about us. We’ll continue to survive.”

The derisive laugh that broke from me startled her. “Honey, there’s no way in hell that’s going to happen. I’m in this for the duration and hopefully far beyond it. The only way to get rid of me is to kill me, and you aren’t capable of that. I’ll talk to my boss and be back asap. Don’t try to talk me out of it. It won’t work.”

“I won’t try because I’m scared. I need you, Sweet,” she confessed.

I stumbled forward and shifted her against me. I kissed her like a drowning man who needed to take air from her lungs. Her confession had nearly brought me to my knees. Though I was three times her size she had me under her control.

I’d stolen. I’d tortured. I’d killed. Yet, I had no power over what Jemma made me feel. I was terrified.

I tried to plan what I’d say to Prime when I arrived at the bar, but it was impossible. Every word that came to mind just wasn’t good enough. Either he understood the bold truth and was on my side, or he told me to choose between the MC and Jemma. I didn’t think I’d survive by choosing.

“Where the hell have you been?” Flame greeted me. “You’re late. We’ve already had a fight and I’ve had to deal with Rod acting like a fool when some drunk asshole put his hands on me.”

“I was busy with a complication. It couldn’t be helped. I’ll have a come to Jesus moment with Rod if you want. He’ll leave you be,” I promised.

“Don’t bother. It’s kind of cute the way he stands up for me. It gives me tingles.”

I grinned. Rod was making progress. I felt like a proud papa. “Where’s Prime? I need to talk to him.”

“It’s better if you get busy working and leave him the hell alone. He’s pissed at you for not being here when the fight went down. He had to deal with it, and he’s got a fat lip to show for it,” Flame protested.

“I’m about to make it worse. This isn’t something that can wait. Is he in the office?” I asked.

“Si, he had some kind of important phone call. He didn’t want to be disturbed. If he shoots you don’t blame me, amigo.”

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