by Barb Shuler
My attention was drawn to the back corner, again. Those frat boys were getting on my last nerve. I moved to Rochelle, our newest waitress and held my hand out.
“Give me their ticket. It’s time they get out.”
“They give me the creeps.” She tore the ticket off and I moved to the table.
I had to put on a fake smile but I did it.
“I think it’s time to leave, fella’s. We appreciate your business. Please, come again.” I turned to go back to the other tables, leaving their laughter behind me when one of them reached out and grabbed me. The second I felt his hand on my ass I wanted to gouge his eyes out.
“Let go of me!” I pushed myself back from him only to have him hold me tighter. Dear God, I was going to jail tonight. A familiar arm wrapped around me and I was moved from the table. I heard someone cry out in pain. I jerked around to see a very pissed off Max standing there, his fist balled. He was going to hit the idiot again.
Thank God Hunter grabbed him when he did.
“Max, stop!” Hunter said, getting right up in my face. “Chill, man.”
“Maximus!” Jenn stormed to where we were and started yelling and poking at Max. I was just flabbergasted. The angry tears started before I could stop them.
“I had this under control, dammit. Max-” I couldn’t do this. Not here, not now. Fucking men and their god forsaken stank-ass egos. I wanted to junk punch them all.
I pushed past the table and ran for the back. I hit the Emergency Exit hard enough that the door slammed against the garbage cans behind it. I paced up and down the small space. If I went back in, I was gonna hit someone. Seriously profane words - the ones Guerillmo used all too often - fell from my lips. I heard the door open again and I turned to glare at whoever followed me out. Max stood there. I cursed again.
“I’m sorry. He touched-”
“Don’t! Don’t you dare try to defend that... that...” I was so mad my tongue was twisted and the words just wouldn’t come out.
He moved closer and I held up a hand. My temper finally winning the battle.
“What the hell is wrong with you? I told you... God, Max, I told you. I told you flat out, I was not going to stand for this jealous neanderthal shit you boys like to pull on women. I won’t ever change my mind about that. I can’t. Not again.”
I walked away as soon as I finished. I needed to clear my head. My heart was breaking for my loss. I loved that big stupid man with all of my heart and he had to up and ruin it. I knew this was going to happen. I just knew it.
Sure, Max never hit me, that was the one big difference between him and Eric, but this was just as bad. He was up my ass all the time. I couldn’t breathe. This was just too much, the constant hovering. I was losing my grip on reality, on freedom. I swear!
I went to the beach, which was only across the street, and kicked my shoes and socks off. I needed the warmth of the night to encase me and make the pain of my heart breaking into a million pieces stop.
“Kennedy! Shit, hold up, woman!” Jenn called out. When I turned she engulfed me in a big hug. That was all it took. The tears slammed into me and my knees buckled. We went down to the sand and I cried into the shoulder of my best friend.
“Shh, I’ve got you, babe. It’s okay. He’s an asshole. He knows that.”
Her words didn’t do much to help the pain burning through me right now. It was a cycle I couldn’t escape. It was always the same. I give my heart to someone and they rip it from my chest, tossing it away with no regard to what I wanted, needed.
Though, that may not be fair in this instance. Max loved me. I knew that. I’d heard him whisper it at night when he didn’t think I was awake. It warmed my heart, but I wasn’t at a place to say it back yet. If I gave it back, I’d never be able to walk away from him. It was hard enough now.
The pain in my chest was going to crush me.
“It hurts,” I gasped out. Her arms went around me tighter as she gently started rocking.
“I know, I know. But you have to remember something. He’s a man. They like to act all macho. They protect what’s theirs. Face it, babe. You are his. I’ve never seen either of you so happy as you are together. Just give yourself some cool down time. I promise it will be okay. I’m here.”
“How can you say that?” I sat up.
Her brow raised. “Say what?”
“Just to give myself time to cool down. He assaulted a man in our restaurant, Jennifer.”
“I’m aware of that Kennedy! I took care of it.”
“He was out of line.”
“He was defending you. Did you forget that part? Did you miss that drunk frat boys hands all over you? I know what I saw and he was lucky Max got to him first. The others looked just as murderous.”
“I can’t live through another Eric. This constant battle to have five seconds to myself- Jenn, it’s all too much.” I said, wiping my face again. The tears of my disastrous life were still falling as she cupped my face and made me look at her.
“You listen to me. That man in there may be a hothead. He may be a Grade A Ass at times, but he is NOT another Eric. I already told you that once, but I’ll say it again.”
“I’m scared. What if he loses it like that on me?”
“You know that would never happen. If there’s one thing I know for sure, one thing I would bet my life on, its that. My brother would never hit you or any woman for that matter.”
“I know that, but my mind sees the tantrums Eric would have and it all starts over again. I freak out, and it just scares the shit out of me.
“You have to be able to understand where he is. He is a Grade A, top of the line, Alpha male. He has issues dealing with anger. He has moments that his PTSD kicks in. Kennedy, he’s a walking, talking G.I.-fucking-Jo. Shit’s not always going to be easy. Hunter has the same damn issues. And God, I love him, but some days I want to toss him into the ocean just so he’ll cool the fuck off.”
I had to, I laughed at that. I wiped my face and sighed.
“I get it, I just need a few days. If it’s okay, I’m going to head home. My ankle is bothering me anyway. I’m just-”
“It’s fine. Go ahead. We can close it down. Text me when you get there, okay?”
“You’re as bad as they are,” I said jokingly.
“Damn skippy, and if you don’t call me, I’m coming over and kicking your butt.” She rose and with her help I got up. I gave her a hug and said my goodbyes.
I wasn't kidding when I said my ankle was hurting. I stretched my foot out and moved it from side to side. I’d done too much back and forth from the dining room to the kitchen. I loved it, I loved working, but I was ready to fall over into my bed and stay there for a week… or two. A super busy night of nonstop movement and enough emotional baggage to bring down an elephant… it just kills me. I’m never sure how to take it, process it or deal with it.
I made my way off the sand, grabbed my socks and shoes, and started walking up the street. I’d come to the restaurant tonight with Max and I’d be damned if I’d ask him for a ride home. It was a nice night out, a little walk wouldn’t hurt too much. It would give me some much needed time to clear my head and calm down. The warmth of the sidewalk under my feet and the still silence, other than the sound of the water lapping at the beach, was more than calming. A few cars passed, but it wasn’t like it is during the day.
By the time I got to my condo I was relaxed, but still completely exhausted. I hurried inside, hooked Bruiser’s leash on and took him out to potty. Then, after a quick, very hot shower, I collapsed into bed.
Hopefully tomorrow would be better.
13
Maximus
I wasn’t in a good mood. It had been a few days since the big fight at the Magnolia. I was a mess. The guys talked me into having a small party at the house, which meant just us eating and fucking around until we all passed out.
Being on call meant no alcohol, but that didn’t stop them from showing up with enough junk food and steaks t
o feed an army. It was good that my boys had my back. Hunter, Rooster, and Tony had been around a long time. Preston joined the SWAT team not long after we did. Then there’s Kelly, he’s the newbie. In this line of work, flesh and blood was always needed. SWAT was a tough job. Not that other law enforcement roles weren’t; we had guys out their everyday getting shot just for wearing the uniform. It was hard, but just like with the Military life I’d had, someone had to do it. Why not us?
Almost everything in life happens for a reason, I get that. I just don’t understand why so many of them have to be bad. Well, actually I do, I guess. I’m no philosopher, or one of those mushy guys, but I do have a soft spot for a certain leggy chick. The same one who has my heart in her tight little fist, which is pulling the life from me.
The longer I was away from Kennedy, the bigger the black hole around me grew. I’d been snapping at the guys all night, but luckily none of them took it to heart. Thankfully, they understood. I would make it up to them once I got my girl back. There was no way in hell was I letting her slip away from me.
Rooster’s loud voice brought my attention back to the present and to the men in my house.
“Max, we got a call. Move your ass!”
I was on my feet before I could register I was moving.
“Sitrep?” I asked as I came in. I moved to the closet and pulled out my bag.
“Disturbance at the Magnolia.”
I cursed as I moved out the door and to my Jeep. We loaded up in various vehicles and hightailed it to the compound. A disturbance at the Magnolia. Fuck!
“Are the girls there?” I asked as I took a corner.
“Don’t know yet. It was called in by someone walking by. They heard gunfire and screaming.” I beat the palm of my hand against the steering wheel. I pushed the button on my handsfree and waited. It just rang and rang.
“Come on, kid, answer the fucking phone,” I griped. The click of someone picking up made my heart stop. “Jenn?”
“Ma-max!” Her voice was muffled but I heard the crack of emotion.
“Jesus, fuck! Where are you?” I asked as we pulled into the compound parking lot. “Jenn?” There was a brush of fabric against the phone which caused my inner demon to come to the surface. If someone hurt my sister I would rip them to pieces with my bare hands. I flipped the handsfree to my bluetooth and popped it into my ear. “Jennifer, you answer me, dammit!”
“What’s going on?” Hunter asked as he followed us into the compound. The doors clicked shut behind us. I swiped my badge through the lock and we moved further into the building.
“Shit!”
“Max, Kennedy’s hurt. I can’t stop the bleeding.”
“What?” All I got was silence. As the guys and I hurried to get geared up I tried to get more from my sister. “Jenn, kid, you gotta tell me. What the fuck is happening here?”
“She- Oh God, she saved me from him. He hit her. She hit a table. Her head is bleeding.”
“Jenn, where are you?” There was more rustling before I heard glass breaking in the background. Fuck. “Jennifer!” I hissed.
“Ma-Max.. Office…”
The line went dead and my heart stopped. What the hell had just happened? I grabbed my gun, strapped it around me and slammed the door to the gun cage shut. I didn’t slow as I made my way to the bus. We had to get there and get the girls, and anyone else in there, out.
I only prayed we made it to them in time.
“I want two man teams. The area has been cordoned off for a two block radius. Rodrigues and Alverez are on the rooftops. My boys will go in first, sweep and clear the area.” Cap’s voice boomed out across the group. The men inside had taken hostages and had opened fire on the first few officers that showed up. I needed to get in there and get the girls out.
“We have to go in, now,” Hunter said to me. I rubbed the back of my neck. I knew that, but we had to follow protocol. It was my responsibility to get them in and out in one piece. Safety had to be a priority, too.
“What about the hotel patrons?” One of the guys asked. I nudged Hunter and moved to the table that had the blueprints on it.
“The hotel’s exits have been put on lockdown. Officers are in place in the event the suspects try to escape that way.” I let the conversation behind me fade out as I looked at my team.
“We have to go in and get our girls!” Hunter growled out. He was good at staying in control during rescues, but right now he was ready to charge in by himself. I knew that feeling well. I pointed at the papers on the table.
“There’s a hidden room in the back office. It’s not on any of the plans and no one knows it’s there except me, the girls, Guerillmo and the guys that built it, who were part of a top security firm. If Jenn was able to make it that far, that’s where she and Kennedy will be.”
“I’m still trying to figure out why someone would charge into the Magnolia, guns blazing.” Kelly said from where he stood before the table.
“I don’t know, but I have a bad feeling.”
“The kind like you used to get?” I gave Hunter a look and he cursed. Before I could say anything else I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it out and hit accept.
“Jenn?”
“MAX!”
“Jenn, what’s happening?” Hunter asked, his voice raising over the noise around us.
“Hunter, Max, they got Kennedy! They took her! I couldn’t stop them!” She started to sob. There was an explosion and gunfire coming the background of the call.
“Who took her?” I snarled as I scooped up my phone and took off towards the Magnolia.
“Three men. Big.” She was breathing heavy now. “I tried. I tried to stop them.”
“Hold on, kid, we’re coming.” I motioned to the building. “Team two, be ready to move in. Rooftops, eyes peeled for three large men carrying a woman. Reports from inside say a female hostage was taken, that’s all we have for now.”
“Roger that, eyes on building. No sign of them, yet,” Alvarez said.
“Roger that, there’s an open sidewall on the south side. No one’s entered or exited.” Rodriguez replied.
“10-4.” I turned to look at my guys. “We go in, hit them hard, and get the fuck out.”
They nodded. I took a deep breath and let it out.
On my six.” I called out the orders and led the team across the street. The glass had been busted out thanks to the gunfire so it was easy to hop the wall. My rifle was up and ready. We swept the main room before breaking off into teams as we moved through the restaurant.
“Captain, you copy?”
“Copy, go ahead.” My ear piece buzzed as I spoke.
“We need medical. There are at least fifteen bodies down. A few are still moving.”
“Roger that. EMS is one block over, awaiting the all clear.”
“10-4.”
I crept through the broken tables and chairs, clearing a path for my guys. Each area we cleared had my heart hammering faster and harder. There was no sign of Jenn, and Kennedy was gone now as well. The group on the other side of the building had them pinned in, but she was far from safe.
“We have movement on the roof! I repeat, we have movement on the roof.” Alvarez called out through the mic.
“I see them, I have a clear shot.”
“Rodriguez, take the shot. I repeat, take the shot!” Cap’s voice boomed through the speaker. There was no sound, until the mic blared to life again.
“Suspect One is down. Suspect Two has the girl with him, using her as a shield. I don’t have a shot. Lost visual on Suspect Three, he ran off.”
“Someone check the stairwell, he couldn’t have gotten far!”
I pulled the mic from my ear and moved to the back of the restaurant. I swept the hall and then the room before me. I could hear whimpering as I moved around the desk. The door to the secret room was half open and Jenn was laying in it. My heart sank as I saw the blood on her top and her hands.
“Jenn!” I fell at her side and chec
ked her pulse. It was there, thank God. I called for Tony and patted Jenn’s cheeks.
“Hey, kid, wake up. Come on talk to me.”
“Max?” She groaned.
“Jenn, shit, baby, are you okay?” Hunter said as he too fell at her feet.
“Kennedy.. they have her.”
Hunter’s head snapped up and he looked to Tony as he came in. His hand moved to grab my vest.
“The man on the roof has Kennedy on the ledge. We have to get up there.”
“Fuck!” I snarled as I squeezed Jenn’s hand. “You hang on or I’m kicking your ass.”
“Shut. Up. Go save. Our girl.” Her words panted out. Tony was placing an oxygen mask over her face as I stood. Hunter stood too.
“You stay with her,” I ordered. He shook his head.
“Not a chance, man. I’ve got your six.”
“Me too. Let’s roll.” I moved to where Rooster stood in the doorway. I nodded and put my ear piece back in.
“Go man, I’ve got her,” Tony said as he cut open Jenn’s T-shirt. The nasty stab wounds on her side made me see red. Hunter cursed and we moved out the door.
“Alpha team advancing to the roof. Rodriguez, Alvarez, watch your crossfire. I don’t want to get any lead in my ass today.”
There was a chuckle in the mic.
“Not today, buddy, maybe tomorrow.” Alvarez called out.
I shook my head as we took the elevator to the fifteenth floor. We would run the last set of stairs, giving us a little more reaction time in case of an ambush.
When the elevator doors opened I hurried out, rifle trained before me, and I led my guys to the stairs. The door to the stairwell opened easily and we moved up the floors quickly. When we got to the roof access, I took a deep breath and pushed it open. My eyes immediately locked on the man holding my girl. His hand was wrapped in her hair and she was dangling partly over the ledge of the building.