by Stasia Black
“No time,” Nix said.
Drea’s face went hard. “You’ll make time or I’ll—”
Nix rolled his eyes. Audrey barely realized what he was doing before he’d grabbed something from behind his back and then—
“Oh my God,” Audrey groaned. Drea went limp and started falling. He’d tranqued her. Audrey rushed forward to grab her before she hit the ground but Nix was already there. He hefted Drea up and over his shoulder.
Then he turned to Audrey. “Let’s get the hell out of here, baby.”
She nodded and they ran.
Chapter 43
MATEO
“That motherfucking son of a bitch!” Nix roared, storming away from Audrey on the small abandoned airfield where they’d landed after getting away from the Black Skulls compound.
Audrey had just explained why she’d really left. He’d been heading back to the township but she’d started yelling in his ear that they had to stop somewhere. That she had to talk to them. She’d been frantic. Panicked.
Graham had gone over several potential landing sites with Mateo, just in case they ran into any trouble along the way. Secluded areas away from settlements.
Heart in his throat, Mateo had stopped at the nearest one and as soon as the rotor blades slowed down enough to be able to hear one another, Audrey started talking. It all just poured out.
About her planned escape.
About how she was going to turn back because she’d decided to stay.
About seeing Jeffries slap his wife.
And then about his blackmailing her by threatening their lives.
“I’m gonna fucking kill him,” Nix said, veins popping out in his neck and forehead. “I’ll rip his dick off and shove it down his goddamned throat!”
But Mateo was more concerned with what Audrey hadn’t said.
“What was he blackmailing you to do?” Mateo asked. “It wasn’t just to keep quiet about Camila, was it?”
The sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach only got worse when Audrey looked away and wouldn’t meet his gaze.
Oh God, no. No, please, not that.
“Audrey.” He grabbed her hand, his voice full of anguish. “Tell me he didn’t—”
“No,” she said quickly, shaking her head. There was still a shadow in her eyes, though. “But he wanted to. He cornered me a couple times.”
“Wait, what are you talking about?” Nix asked, coming back over to them from where he’d been pacing. “What did he want?”
Mateo’s jaw went so hard he thought he might crack a tooth. “He wanted sex.”
If Mateo thought Nix had been angry earlier, it was nothing to the pure fury that took over his entire countenance now.
“Tell. Me. He. Didn’t. Put. A. Hand. On. You.” Every word seemed a struggle to get out through Nix’s clenched teeth.
Audrey looked away. “He never got what he wanted. I never slept with him. It’s why I had to leave.”
Nix breathed out a sigh of relief but Mateo just shook his head.
Again, it was all in what she wasn’t saying.
“But he did touch you.” The words were dragged from Mateo’s throat. Not his Audrey. Why God? Someone like him, he understood. But Audrey? How could God let that monster get his hands on her?
And how could he have failed her so deeply?
He’d known something was wrong. When she’d gone to bed for weeks at a time. He’d known.
Audrey’s silence was answer enough.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Nix shouted.
Audrey flinched and Mateo stepped in front of her, right in Nix’s face. “Don’t you dare yell at her. Do you have any idea what hell she’s been through? What she’s carried all alone because we fucking failed her? Us. You and me.” He stabbed Nix in the chest with a finger.
For another second, Nix stayed just as furious. He looked about three seconds from ripping Mateo’s head off, actually. But then he looked over Mateo’s shoulder and his whole body seemed to collapse in on itself.
“That day. That day you ran out of the candle shop so upset…” Nix’s features knit in horror at the realization. “Was that when…?”
Audrey’s face was still averted, but neither of them missed her tiny nod.
Nix gasped like he’d just been socked in the stomach. “And I yelled the most horrible things at you in the street.” He took a stumbling step back. “And for the next two weeks. I called you selfish. Jesus fucking Christ, Audrey. How did you— How could you— You took me back after that?” He shook his head in anguished astonishment. “You went through that all alone and then I was a monster to you and you still—”
“No,” Audrey finally raised her face, shaking her head vehemently and stepping forward to clasp both of Nix’s hands. “No, don’t say that. Never say that. You’re not the monster. He is.”
Nix shook his head. “But I still don’t understand. Why didn’t you tell us? We could have—”
Audrey’s eyebrows scrunched up. “That’s why I had to talk to you. Remember what happened to Danny’s coworker? That pile of bricks was meant for Danny. It was a warning. It’s not just Jeffries and his small clan. He says the people he works with work in every level in the township. That they’re everywhere. That’s why I realized I had to come back. I was going to but then that bitch knocked me out.” She glanced down. “I was so afraid of being the one to get you killed,” she looked up again, eyes flashing, “but it’s bigger than just me. Jeffries and his men are planning something. Something big.”
Mateo frowned. “Are you sure? Audrey, he could have been just on his own and saying all that to intimidate you and manipulate you into doing what he—”
But Audrey shook her head, looking frustrated. “It’s real. Like one day when I was serving in the food kitchens, this totally random guard turned out to be on his side. You’d left me with him, Nix, because he’s one of the men you trust, but then he—
“Who?” Nix demanded, fury quickly taking over his features again.
Audrey waved a hand. “I don’t remember his name. I could point him out in a crowd, though. But that’s not the point. The point is, I don’t think he was lying. He couldn’t help boasting about it because he’s so jealous of you, Nix. Of everything you have. It’s like he’s in a constant competition with you and—”
Nix scoffed. “I barely know the guy.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Audrey cut him off. “He’s decided to measure himself against you. Everything you have, he wants. When he talked about you, it was like, I don’t know,” her lips pursed, “Let’s just say when he threatened your life, I felt like it was very real. And I had no power to do anything about it or protect you other than by leaving. If I took away his leverage, then maybe he wouldn’t hurt you. But that was naïve and me letting my fear drive me. He’s got it out for you.”
“I’m gonna kill that motherfucker.”
Audrey breathed out in frustration. “You can’t just go in guns blazing. Aren’t you listening? He’s connected. We don’t know how deep and—”
“You never wanted to leave us,” Mateo whispered. All the ramifications of everything she’d said were finally sinking in. “You don’t hate us because we forced you to—”
Audrey’s brow crumpled. “Oh God, no. I’m so sorry I had to hurt you and say that.” Her lip trembled. “I was just trying to protect you. I couldn’t have another person die because of me.”
“What?” Mateo and Nix reached out for her at the same time as tears started coursing down her face.
And that’s when she told them about her brother. And how he’d been killed in front of her eyes the day that Nix had found her.
“Baby.” Nix pulled her into his chest and Mateo immediately stepped up and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. Together they cocooned her while she cried silently.
She’d held so much back from them. Kept so much bottled up inside, determined to be strong so she could protect them.
Didn’t she know
the only meaning in their life came from keeping her safe? From loving her?
“My beautiful, beautiful girl,” Nix whispered.
Together they comforted her.
Together they loved her.
And then, together, they made a plan.
Chapter 44
NIX
The noise of the chopper blades roared in Nix’s ears as they approached town. Every muscle in Nix’s body was taut. He’d only felt such murderous rage once before in his life.
That had resulted in an entire camp of dead mercenary rapist motherfuckers.
But no. He had to stick to the plan.
Before they’d taken off heading home, Nix had opened the sat phone and dialed Graham.
“Do you have her?” Graham asked, picking up before it even finished ringing once.
“We have her,” Nix confirmed. “Let me speak to the Commander.”
There was a brief silence.
Then the Commander came on the phone. “Here,” he said brusquely. “Tell me you’re bringing my helo back. Right now.”
“We captured one of Black Skull’s men.” Nix looked at Audrey as he said the next part. “Have Jeffries ready with the interrogation crew in the town square. We’re coming home.”
That was an hour and a half ago.
No matter how much Nix comforted himself with the reality of Audrey’s warm, alive body next to him, fuck. The hour of living without her after she first left them, and then the even more hellish half hour thinking the worst when Graham told them the truth about Nomansland, followed by the tortuous revelations of what she’d been living through with that cunt-faced double-crossing—
Nix squeezed the hand not holding Audrey’s into a fist.
Focus.
He couldn’t let his rage rule him.
Not right now.
Stick to the plan.
The sun was setting as they flew in over town. It was bizarre to see the little town he’d made his home from this vantage point. There was Mateo’s workshop, and the snaking line of the river.
And the town square, growing larger and larger as the chopper descended.
A huge crowd was gathered on the streets all along the courtyard lawn that made up the middle of the square.
Their makeshift landing pad.
Here we go.
Audrey squeezed his hand and he looked at her. He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. The way her brow furrowed, he wondered if it had come off as more of a grimace.
That was fine. He’d have plenty of time to comfort her later.
If the Commander didn’t throw him in the stocks for stealing the helicopter, that was. And if their plan went off without a hitch.
No more time for overthinking it, though. He gave Audrey’s hand a quick kiss as Mateo landed the helicopter. He’d gotten more and more smooth with each landing. Nix only wanted to throw up for about thirty seconds as opposed to the five full minutes of their previous landings.
Which was good, because he needed all his faculties to focus on the security team approaching the helicopter in a tight ring, machine guns drawn.
It was Nix’s best team. He’d trained the men himself.
They were all crack shots.
Jeffries was at the lead, gesturing the men in tighter with his arm not in a sling.
Nix barely clamped down his killing rage.
Keep a fucking lid on it.
He unbuckled himself and raised his hands in a surrender gesture, as did Mateo. Mateo stayed with Audrey strapped in the chopper, though, as Nix climbed down. He walked around to the front of the chopper as the Commander approached at a tight clip across the lawn.
Jeffries joined him and together they walked up to Nix.
The chopper blades were whirring slower and slower every second, allowing other sound to penetrate.
“You got your spectacle,” the Commander said, face grim. “I don’t know what you expect to gain by doing this in the middle of town, though. It’s not going to make things go any easier for you.”
Nix ignored the Commander. He only had eyes for Jeffries.
The chopper blades were winding down even more, now just a low whine. A glance behind him showed his men grabbing Mateo out of the helicopter and forcing him facedown to the ground.
It was now or never.
Nix turned to the townspeople and shouted at the top of his lungs. “Jeffries and his clan have been abusing their wife. Audrey saw him punch her and knock her to the ground.”
Gasps and chatter immediately broke out all around the square.
“Arrest this thief,” Jeffries yelled, motioning to the security team. “Use all necessary force.”
“Then he tried to rape my wife!” Nix shouted even louder, glaring at Jeffries with every ounce of hatred he felt. “He blackmailed her with threats against my life until she felt her only choice was to flee. He didn’t break his arm in tactical training. Audrey broke it when he fucking attacked her.”
“Arrest this man!” Jeffries screamed, obviously trying to drown out Nix’s voice. “He stole our helicopter. And high value items from the armory. You can’t believe a thing he says.”
“He’s violated this town’s most sacred duty,” Nix continued. “To protect our women!”
Nix wasn’t looking at Jeffries anymore. No, he had his eyes on his security team. They were looking back and forth amongst themselves, and then to the Commander.
Nix followed their gaze.
But he couldn’t read the look on the Commander’s stoic face. It all depended on his reaction, Nix knew that. Yes, his words would resonate in the town no matter what the Commander decided, but Nix and Mateo’s immediate fate was in his hands.
And, considering what Audrey had told them about Jeffries’s connections, if the Commander didn’t take their side now, it could be fatal. No doubt Jeffries would accidently take things a little too far during Nix’s ‘interrogation.’ Nix could almost hear the excuses now. He must have had a weak heart. We followed protocol. These things just happen sometimes.
“Is this true?” the Commander asked Jeffries.
Jeffries sputtered. “How can you ask me that? He’s the criminal here. He the one who stole the—”
“Is it true?” the Commander’s voice was steely.
“Of course it’s not true!”
But some commotion at the east edge of the lawn had everyone looking and pointing.
Nix and the Commander both looked to see what was going on. And saw the crowd separating in a circle around a trembling Camila.
“Good,” Jeffries said. “We can clear this up once and for all. Camila, come.”
Nix’s teeth grated. The fucker used the same tone of voice you would when ordering a dog around.
“Commander, we have no idea how long he’s been abusing her,” Nix said under his breath. “Audrey said he’s got her so far under his thumb she’s terrified of stepping out of line. She’ll say whatever he tells her to.”
“Shut up,” Jeffries snapped. Then, when Camila was close enough, “Camila, tell them he’s lying. I’ve never hit you in my life and I never would. The clan and I cherish you. Tell them.”
Oh come on. The Commander had to hear how blatantly Jeffries was manipulating her. All but threatening her, right in front of th—
“It’s true,” Camila said.
Jeffries smiled smugly, looking out at the square.
But then Camila continued. “What Audrey’s husband said is true. The men of my clan beat me.” Then she lifted her shirt, revealing green and yellow bruises all over her stomach and ribs. “They’re just careful not to leave marks where anyone will see.”
“You lying whore!” Jeffries shouted. He lunged for Camila but the Commander locked his arm around Jeffries’s throat from behind and then slammed him backwards to the ground with so much force he was left gasping like a fish. The security force quickly moved in and grabbed him, yanking his arms behind his back.
Jeffries was the one with murderous
rage in his eyes now. His voice was only a rasping gasp as he lunged against the guard’s hold toward Nix. “And you. You think you’re so much better than me. You’re nothing. You’re a fucking puppet. I had you led around by your dick for months and you didn’t even know it. Just dropped your name in that stupid fucking lotto and you were so busy with her cunt I had free reign of the whole fucking squadron.”
Nix felt his eyes widen. Jeffries was the one who’d put his name in the lottery?
“You think this is over?” Jeffries asked. “This isn’t over. Your time’s coming. It’s coming for all of you!”
He spit in Nix’s and the Commander’s direction and one of the guards smacked him over the back of the head with the butt of his rifle, knocking him unconscious.
“Get him out of here,” the Commander ordered, looking around at the crowd, many of whom were heading toward them and shouting angrily. Now the security force had turned and was holding the crowd back. “Jesus Christ, they’ll rip him apart.”
“As much as I’d like that,” Nix said grudgingly, “we need to know what he knows. Audrey says he’s not alone. He’s part of a network of dissidents.” Nix turned and looked at the Commander more closely. “You don’t look surprised.”
The Commander’s jaw firmed. “I’ve had my suspicions. But I couldn’t name names.” He clapped Nix on the back. “I’m glad you’ve got your wife back. You can have the night with her but I’ll need you back in the Squadron Command center at 0600 tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, sir.” Nix nodded. Well, looked like he wasn’t losing his job after all.
The Commander turned to head after the guards dragging Jeffries away when Nix stopped him. “Sir, there’s another matter.”
“What?” the Commander looked impatient. No doubt he wanted to get into interrogation with Jeffries as soon as possible.
But this couldn’t wait. Nix gestured him over to the helicopter and around to the left medical litter where Drea was strapped, still unconscious.