Page 35 of Bring Me Back
He doesn’t say anything in response, but I see the tears welling up in the corners of his eyes. I wish I could take all the pain this boy has ever felt in his life away, but it just doesn’t work that way. I pull up the only contact I know could possibly help in this situation, even though the last thing I want is to owe him any favors. But desperate times and all.
“Mr. Hayes, I wasn’t aware you had become involved with such a reckless woman,” Sebastian’s voice is calm, even though I feel anything but.
“Yeah, you and me both. How quickly could you have support sent to my location?” I ask, knowing I have no clue what our final destination actually is.
“It would be helpful if you weren’t currently a moving target. Luckily, it seems your woman has reached her destination.” I’m not surprised he’s got eyes on Willow, after all I did ask him to watch her.
“Where is she?” I ask desperately.
“I will send the exact coordinates to your phone. Aswell as sending a little back up to this location. Hopefully, we will not be too late.” He says.
“What’s this gonna cost me, Seb?” I ask, knowing nothing comes without a price in this world.
“We can talk terms when we aren’t in such a time crunch, Helo. I’d like to believe we’re better friends than that. I will find you when things have settled down.” The line disconnects, and I know the cost will be heavy. No one is truly just friends with a mafia don. But it doesn’t matter. I have more money than I could spend in five lifetimes and more skills than I know what to do with. Whatever the cost, I’ll accept the help.
“She’s already there. She’s with him right now, Beckett.” Panic is clear on Jaxon’s face, and I don’t know how to ease that fear when I’m drowning in my own.
“We’re getting there, Jax.” I tell him, breaking every fucking speed law in South Carolina just to get to her.
twenty-three
Regret weavesits way into my bones. I know I shouldn’t be here alone. I should’ve asked for the help I know I need, the help I know my friends would’ve given me. But it’s too late to turn around now. I wait several long seconds parked on the shoulder across the street from the warehouse Cooper told me about. The Renegade’s colors hang from a post next to the unassuming entrance sign. I’m sure they’re running coke out of this place. Coke or guns, it’s always been one or the other when Cooper is involved. Sometimes I’m embarrassed to think I ever loved him, but we all grow up and let go of our girlish ideals at some point. When someone shows you who they are, I’ve learned it’s always best to just believe them.
Taking a deep breath, I pull through the open gate. The grounds are dim, only a few exterior lights on thecorners keeping it from total darkness out here. Three bikes sit parked towards the back corner of the building, and a thought finally occurs to me. How did I not consider he wouldn’t be here alone? Did I really think he was going to show up all by himself when he’s been nothing but a fucking coward since the day I met him? I had a slim chance at the upper hand when it was just me against Cooper. But three on one? I don’t think those odds work in my favor.
“Fuck!” I shout, leaning my head against the steering wheel. Ultimately, it changes nothing. If I don’t go in there now, they will come for my son. And I can’t have these people anywhere near our home.
“Just me, a Glock, and the sheer audacity to hope this doesn’t go horribly wrong.” I tell myself, scoffing at my ability to make light of this fucked up situation.
A put on my big girl pants and get out of the Bronco, tucking the Glock into the back of my jean shorts and covering it. Walking to the door, my heart pounds against my ribs so hard I’m sure they’ll crack. My fist pounds against the door before I can stop it, and surprise nearly knocks me on my ass when it opens.
“Megan?! What the hell are you doing here?!” I ask, rearing back in shock.
“Hello to you too,Lily.”She replies with a sneer.
“What the fuck is going on here?” I question, and she just smirks.
“Isn’t it obvious? Catch up, sweetie.” Megan says, laughing drying at me.
“Let her in,” Cooper’s voice sounds from somewhere inside the building, and she moves aside.
Walking into the space, I see pallets on one side of the room. Silver packages wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stacked high on each one. Cocaine, I should’ve known. Cooper stands in the middle of the warehouse, flanked by two men I know well. Slade, his best friend since we were kids and his right hand man in the Renegades, stands to his right. Dex, the one man I would never have guessed would get into something like this, stands to his left. Dex and Allie were the only people I truly hated leaving behind when I ran. Was I wrong about them this whole time? Is my judgement truly that flawed?
“Lily, so good to see you again. Despite everything you’ve done to fuck up your hair and your body,” Cooper digs, and I see Dex wince next to him. Megan sidles up next to Cooper, and he wraps an arm around her waist. There’s no stopping the laughter that bubbles out of me.
“Oh god, this is just too good,” I say, laughing so hard I have to work to breathe. “Her? This was your plan to spy on me?Megan?”
“Shut up, bitch. Our relationship didn’t have anything to do with you! Cooper loves me!” Megan snaps, and Slade snorts out a laugh before coughing to cover it up.
“So it was you who took the money from the shop?” I ask, and she just smirks, all the answer I need. “Of course. Couldn’t earn it like an honest man, could you, Coop?”
“The money was just to get your attention. I was really hoping they would see through your bullshit innocent act and blame you. That would’ve been a much easier way to separate you from your friends. Where’s my son, Lily?” Cooper asks, his voice cold.
“Anywhere but here, Cooper. Next question?” I spit back, knowing my attitude was always my downfall with him.
“I told you there would be consequences if you didn’t listen to me, you stupid cunt. Where the fuck is he? I will kill every single person in the bumfuck town you call a home.” Cooper shoves Megan away, stepping towards me.
“What? You said she wanted to come home, Cooper. You said we were here to bring her and Jax both back.” Dex asks, the truth finally making some sense.
