Shades of Resolution (Distortion #3)

by Aimee McNeil

  “She didn’t say anything about it. They didn’t tell her anything about what she was doing,” Dane responded in a muffled voice.

  Lexie’s throat squeezed tight like a rope was just pulled taut around it. She had no idea what that meant and she was terrified to find out. His arm tightened his hold on her like he had read her thoughts.

  “Any sign of trouble and I’m heading in,” Jackson said. She wasn’t sure if he was talking to her or the guys, but it sounded good to her.

  Lexie allowed Ronnie to lead her down the hallway. She hoped Jackson was getting all the information he needed. From what she could tell, there was an alarming number of security guards. Ronnie led her down another hallway and through a set of double doors that led into very dramatic lighting.

  The music playing was very enchanting and set a very seductive pace that played into the atmosphere. Many wine colored booths where clustered throughout the area, most angled toward the various stages. The seating was designed for comfort as she noticed the customers looking relaxed and already sipping on their drinks and taking advantage of the cocaine that was presented in the middle of the tables.

  The dress code of formal attire and masks added to the grandness of the event. These men could have been anything at all in the public eye but here they were free to submit to their desires without prosecution. Stodden was going out of his way to win over these powerful men and it was scary how easy it seemed to be.

  The men were already growing comfortable with the women. She spotted Sarah sitting on a man’s lap as he fondled her and she laughed playfully. Lexie didn’t want to think about what the girls would endure this evening. She only hoped they knew what they signed up for. Lexie had witnessed Stodden’s parties before and she knew where this was leading. Her only shred of hope was that these were not the criminals that normally attended Stodden’s functions, these were men of stature. Surely they had the decency to be respectful.

  She stayed close to Ronnie’s side as he led her toward a winding staircase that led up to a balcony. The area was dressed to entertain a small group. Two small dance areas with brass poles flanked three large booths that were positioned in a large half circle set to overlook the entire bar below. Two women were dancing against the poles, trying to seduce the men with their playful smiles and alluring flesh. Six men sat in the oversized seats, all wearing masks, but she knew immediately who Stodden was. Not only was his mask more ornate than the others, but she could tell strictly by his mannerisms, the way he tapped his glass with his finger and observed the room. Anger boiled hot in her stomach but she refused to let it show. She would not give him a reason to suspect her.

  “Got him,” Jackson said in her ear. “We’re coming.”

  CHAPTER

  THIRTY-six

  Jackson

  “How’d you get the masks so fast?” Dane asked, adjusting his on his face.

  “Sent an email from Crothers’ computer saying they needed a rush order for a few defective masks. They were very accommodating and seemed terrified. I also gave his computer a little virus. I’d love to see his face next time he turns on his computer.”

  “The camera’s taken care of?” Jackson asked impatiently as he tapped his fingers on the door.

  “Just a second…now,” Teddy announced. “Let’s go.”

  Jackson swung the back of the van open and jumped out onto the pavement. He headed for the rear door. He knew there were three men standing on the other side of the door that would need to be taken care of discreetly. He knocked and leaned casually against the wall.

  The door swung open and the security guard looked at all three of them dressed in suits and masks. “Why the fuck are you out here?”

  “We…ah…we started the party a bit early and missed our car service.” Jackson stumbled backwards down the steps and bumped into Teddy.

  “Hey, what the fuck, man?” Teddy shoved him into Dane.

  “Fuck you,” Dane hollered as they began to throw punches. The security officer waved the others to join him outside and they pulled out their guns.

  “That’s enough,” the one who opened the door hollered with his gun drawn. “There will be no trouble here.”

  “Good to know,” Jackson said as he grabbed the gun and twisted the man’s arms, causing him to lose grip on his weapon. He brought his elbow up into the man’s neck, knocking him back into the wall. Dane and Teddy addressed the other two that threw themselves into the fight. Jackson pulled out his gun and aimed for the man’s head just as he pushed off the wall and dove for his own gun. Jackson pulled the trigger and the man dropped instantly, landing at his feet.

  Teddy kicked a body of one of the men aside and pulled out his phone. Jackson grabbed hold of the door handle and waited for Teddy’s nod. He could hear the click as the lock released. He pulled the door open and walked inside with Teddy and Dane behind him, guns drawn.

  CHAPTER

  THIRTY-seven

  Lexie

  “What a magnificent creature,” the man sitting close to Stodden said as he observed Lexie like she was a bottle of wine being served.

  “Tonight is about pleasure, Roman. This is my gift to you.” Stodden waved toward Lexie.

  “Go sit next to our guest,” Ronnie whispered in her ear. “Make sure he’s happy.” Lexie walked slowly toward him. She could feel Stodden’s eyes on her as she approached but she didn’t once glance his way. She neared the man as he patted the seat beside him. Her tiny outfit seemed even smaller now that she was on display. She wanted to keep her distance but she had no choice. She knew she was surrounded by ruthless men.

  Lexie sat down on the edge of the seat and smiled at the man named Roman. She could tell by his mouth he was a younger man, but his features were obscured by his mask. His name wasn’t familiar, nor was the slight accent that he still carried with his words.

  “You’re a shy one,” Roman said slyly. Lexie let out a surprised gasp when he grabbed her and pulled her closer. “I like it.”

  He ran his fingers along the swell of her breasts and Lexie had to consciously work at not squirming in discomfort. It took everything she had to keep the smile upon her lips.

  “Take off your mask so I can get a better look at you,” he said as he tilted her chin up.

  Lexie leaned in closer so John wouldn’t be able to recognize her voice. “I thought tonight was all about secrets,” she whispered against his ear.

  “Yes, but I want to know your secrets,” Roman said as he placed his finger upon her lip and pressed it into her mouth. Lexie had no choice but to play along with his lead. She gently sucked as he slowly pulled his finger out. He grabbed her hand and placed it on his erection straining against his pants. His pulled on the strap holding her top and she panicked. Lexie immediately pulled away. She knew she blew her cover but there was no way she was going that far.

  Roman grabbed her by the neck and pulled her closer. “Who the fuck do you think you are?” he growled. She didn’t have time to stop him before he ripped the mask from her face.

  Her eyes flashed toward Stodden, who was looking at her with a dark expression. There was no way she was getting out of this situation. She grabbed for Roman’s gun, tucked inside his jacket, and she managed to pull it free.

  She aimed it in Stodden’s direction and pulled the trigger without hesitation. She didn’t know if she would ever have a chance again. Stodden jolted from the impact of the bullet. Lexie was in shock that she actually pulled the trigger as she stared down at the weapon in her hands.

  Three men reached the top of the stairs with their guns drawn. It took her a moment to realize it was Jackson, Teddy, and Dane in disguise. The dancers were screaming and trying to find a place to hide.

  Roman knocked into Lexie, shoving her into the railing. A sharp pain radiated through her hip from the impact.

  “Don’t move,” Jackson shouted at Roman in warning but Roman threw himself over the railing. Lexie watched him land on a table below. Gunfire was going off around he
r as she spun back to look at John, who was no longer in his seat. He hauled one of the women off the floor and held his gun to her head. The woman had mascara mixed tears streaming down her face as she shook in his hold.

  “Please let me go,” she begged.

  “Drop the gun, Stodden, and let the girl go,” Jackson demanded.

  “And why would I do that?” Stodden asked, pulling the girl tighter against him.

  Teddy and Dane were holding off the men on the stairs. Bodies littered the ground around them, shot down just as quickly as they came to Stodden’s rescue, but no one was managing to get through their defenses.

  Lexie noticed John shirt under his jacket was stained red. She looked down and noticed that it was beginning to drip on the floor by his feet. She just needed to stall him long enough for him to weaken. The amount of blood she was seeing had to mean the injury was grave.

  “Why did you kill my mother?” Lexie demanded, still holding the gun.

  “It was an accident,” John insisted. He pulled the mask off his face.

  “Was it an accident when you sent Rosh to finish her off?” Lexie asked angrily.

  “I assure you I didn’t send anyone to finish her off.” Stodden looked surprised by her accusation. It was not the reaction she was expecting. She could see beads of sweat form on his forehead and his normally hard edge was blurred with a look of exhaustion.

  “Then maybe you should ask Mark Rosh why he did…oh right, you can’t because he’s dead,” Lexie confessed.

  “Then I should thank you,” Stodden replied. “I assure you I would’ve made him suffer, had I known.”

  “The person who deserves to suffer is you,” Lexie demanded. She could feel herself fraying at the edges.

  “So much anger, dear Lexie. Are you sure you’re directing it at the right person? Did you know Jackson set fire to a home and killed three innocent young children?” Stodden held tight to the distraught woman, whose eyes pleaded with someone to save her. The gun pressed into the side of her head. “At least I have never hurt a child.”

  “Shut the fuck up, Stodden,” Jackson screamed. Lexie looked over at Jackson, who looked visibly shaken.

  “And you think I’m the monster.” Stodden smiled sinisterly as he watched Jackson. He turned his attention back toward Lexie. “I’m your own flesh and blood, Lexie. Do you really want to kill me?”

  “No.” Lexie lowered her gun. “I can’t deny that I’m alive because of you and now I’ll spare yours to make us even,” Lexie said.

  “Lexie?” Jackson asked in confusion.

  “What the fuck is going on here?” Teddy asked as his gaze flickered to Lexie.

  Stodden looked confused by her surrender when she had the upper hand in the situation.

  “But Jackson owes you nothing.” Lexie raised her brow. “And you killed his father and destroyed his family.” Stodden made a move to raise his gun toward Jackson but Dane was too quick. His bullet lodged in Stodden’s right shoulder, causing him to drop his gun.

  “Fuck,” Stodden hollered as he grabbed at the table for support. The girl ran screaming from him and stumbled down the stairs. The blood saturating his shirt was in plain sight as he swayed on his feet.

  “Jacobs…Rayner…” Stodden called for his men. He had lost but he refused to submit.

  “Sorry, Stodden, but your men are dead,” Jackson announced. “Tell me where Haffey’s brother is.”

  “I’ll tell you if you lower your gun,” Stodden demanded with his one last remaining bargaining chip. “You let me walk out of here and I will give you the information you need.” Stodden grimaced through the pain. Lexie searched for any sign of humanity in his eyes, but the only thing she saw when she looked at him was a monster.

  “Nah, I don’t think so. Besides, I bet your little buddy knows where he is.” Jackson nodded toward Brian Crothers, who was cowering against the wall as Dane held him at gunpoint. His mask was pulled down around his neck and a look of desperation was painted on his features.

  “Where is he? Dane asked, pushing his gun into Crothers’ cheek.

  “Don’t fucking talk, Brian,” Stodden demanded, but the threat of the gun apparently took precedence.

  “I’m sorry…don’t kill me. He’s…he’s being kept at um…” Crothers’ glanced over at Stodden but Dane twisted the barrel of the gun harder into his flesh. “Okay, okay, as far as I know he’s at a man’s house named Trent Baker,” Crothers confessed.

  “Now that I have that little piece of information I don’t need your piece of shit ass.”

  “Think about what you’re doing, Jackson. It was Rosh that killed your father and you know it. I’m just a fellow man who doesn’t like to pass up on good opportunities. Nothing more.”

  “Fuck you, Stodden,” Jackson seethed.

  Lexie knew Jackson had been envisioning this moment his entire life.

  “You sentenced my father to death and this is my retribution,” Jackson raged as he pulled the trigger. The bullet hit Stodden in the other shoulder, causing him to stumble backward. Stodden lunged toward Lexie in on last desperate attempt. He never made it to her because the spray of bullets stopped him in his tracks. One by one his body jerked with the impact as he backed into the railing next to Lexie. She was frozen in place as he gave her a last fleeting look, reaching for her with a bloodied hand. Lexie covered her mouth with a gasp.

  The momentum of his fall caused him to topple over the railing, his lifeless body dropped to the ground below with a sickening thud. Lexie looked at Stodden’s dead body with wide-eyes. It was over. It was all over. She looked up and met Jackson’s gaze. She was waiting for the feeling of joy to wash over her but instead tears filled her eyes. She wasn’t sure what she was feeling, she was too high on adrenaline to register what emotion was fighting for center stage. Jackson wrapped his jacket around her and gathered her in his arms.

  “Everyone cleared out in a hurry,” Teddy said, looking at the empty club.

  “Bullets do that,” Dane answered.

  “And I would imagine from the guest list it would be bad for those men to be here when the cops pull in,” Teddy added.

  Jackson held her against his side, placing a kiss on her forehead. She could feel his body shaking next to hers, or maybe it was her own, she couldn’t tell.

  “Call Haffey and give her the good news,” Jackson said.

  “On it,” Teddy said, pulling out his phone.

  Dane still had Brian Crothers against the wall at gunpoint. “What should I do with him?” Dane asked as the man whimpered. Apparently Stodden’s partner didn’t have a stomach for violence.

  “Lock him in one of the offices downstairs. Haffey can deal with him. Let’s get out of here,” Jackson said to Lexie as he guided her toward the stairs. Lexie wrapped her arm around his waist and felt a warm, wet heat.

  “Jackson?” Lexie pulled her hand away and saw the blood on her fingers. “You’re hurt!”

  “I’m fine,” Jackson tried to dismiss her but Lexie wouldn’t let it go. She pulled up his shirt to look for the wound. “I like where this is going.”

  Lexie looked up at him from under her lashes. “You’re impossible,” Lexie said with a shake of her head. “Dane?” Lexie called to him.

  Dane looked at Crothers’ for a moment before he hit him with the butt of his gun and he dropped unconscious on the floor. “I couldn’t leave him. I don’t trust the bastard after seeing the shit on his computer.”

  “I’ll be fine,” Jackson insisted. “The bullet just grazed me.”

  “Let’s see,” Dane said examining the wound. “Fuck, that looks like it hurts. We’ll get you fixed up,” Dane assured him.

  “That’s a lot of blood for a graze.”

  “He’ll be all right. He’s been shot more than any of us,” Dane said dismissively.

  “That doesn’t make me feel any better.” Lexie sighed. “Let’s just get out of here.”

  By the time they made it outside the sound of sirens could be hea
rd in the distance and it was music to her ears. She had never felt so good to walk through a door in her entire life. She never wanted to step back into that place again.

  “I could use a drink right now,” Jackson said.

  “Me too, but let’s hold off the celebration until we get you stitched up,” Lexie insisted. Jackson gave her a smile and leaned in close.

  “About what Stodden said…”

  “Don’t worry about that right now. Let’s just have this moment.” Lexie grabbed his cheeks and pressed her lips against his. “It’s over,” she whispered against his lips.

  “It’s over,” he repeated with a relieved smile.

  CHAPTER

  THIRTY-EIGHT

  Haffey

  The street was quiet in the late night hour as they drove by the rows of houses, all similar in size and style. The street looked very unassuming and the very last place Haffey would have considered looking for her brother. Though, she was not surprised. Stodden had found a way to penetrate every layer of the city.

  Trent Baker was a typical family man. He owned and operated his own auto painting company for the last twenty years. He was also known to take on odd jobs when business was down. He had a wife and two children in high school; his oldest set to graduate in the spring. Nothing on paper stood out about this man that would raise any flags. Haffey didn’t think about it much, she knew the dots could be connected later. The only thing that drove her was finding her brother, and time was of the essence.

  When they neared the address located at the end of the street, they pulled onto a long driveway with a sign indicating, Baker’s Auto Painting. The house was set off the road in a cluster of trees. The headlights illuminated the dark house as they pulled to a stop. The large garage behind the house was cast aglow in light that streamed through the windows along the side of the building. Music could be heard radiating from the interior as they pulled to a stop.