by S. M. Butler
26
The weight of the Kevlar vest fit snug around Axel, a marked difference between what he wore now and what the military had issued to him. It was a strange comfort in a way, keeping the fear away. But it wasn’t a fear of death or dying. It was the fear that he’d never see Bea again, that he might be too late, that because of him, both Bea and Mary Jo Parker might die today.
His past had caught up with him, even in this small little town. It had created this situation, because someone wanted him to stay quiet about what killed his Marines. The sad part was he had nine years to come forward, but he’d been too much of a coward to realize what was really going on with that video.
That was the thing, wasn’t it? Being a coward was his M.O. Even now, as he prepared himself to dive into a dangerous situation to rescue the woman he loved—and he did love her, desperately—he knew he’d be leaving after that. He was going to walk away. Fucking coward.
Why did that just sit so badly with him? It was the right thing, wasn’t it? He wasn’t the man Bea needed. He’d never understand why the secrecy of this double life she led. Or any of them, for that matter. Who were these people? Were they the same guys he’d worked alongside for months? Or was this who they really were?
No. Leaving was the right choice. He was staying long enough to make sure she was safe and to stop his own assassin. Then he was gone. For good. That was best.
Axel glanced up to find Chris staring at him intensely. “What?”
“You haven’t said much.”
“Nothing much to say,” he replied.
“I know you’re pissed. I would be.”
“It doesn’t really matter how I feel, okay?” Axel snatched up his shirt from where he’d thrown it and pulled it over his head. “Let’s just do this.”
“You’re clear on what you’re going to do?”
“Yes, for fuck’s sake. Yes.”
Chris sighed. “Impatience will get you killed, Axel. Come on. You know this.” He sunk down into the chair. “Talk to me.”
“Nah, man. I’m good.”
“We aren’t going anywhere until we’re both convinced that you’re okay, and right now, I don’t think either of us is.”
“Fine, then we sit here.” Axel dropped into the other chair and stared back at Chris. Yeah, he was being a big fucking baby right then. But his mood was in the shitter, and he was worried. For the first time in a long time, he was worried about someone else’s life. He didn’t like it. He didn’t want to be responsible for anyone but his own idiocy.
Chris sighed. “I’m still the same guy, Axel.”
“And how would I know that, Chris? You know, it’s hard enough for Marines to get out and adjust to a civilian life. But to find out that your best friend in this new life lied to you for months, and never really planned on telling you the truth… ever.”
“It wasn’t my call.”
“Right. Nathan.” Axel stood up and rolled his shoulders back. “That’s exactly why when this thing is done, I’m out of here.”
“You gonna tell Bea?”
“She’s a smart woman. She’ll figure it out.” Axel sighed. That was the coward talking again. “Run me through this again.”
Chris frowned. “Sierra’s satellite imaging has four on the property. One in the barn. Sometimes two move, but in general, one stays in the house and the other stays in the barn. Ideally, I’d prefer to bomb the shit out of the house so I could make sure no one would walk out of it, but it would raise too many questions in town.”
Axel stared at him. “Not to mention it’s either Bea or Mary in that house.”
Chris pressed his lips tightly together. “We survive here by keeping our lives quiet. God knows, with Parker’s big mouth, we’re going to have enough issues. So, you’re going in with Jack covering you. Keep their attention on you for fifteen minutes. Jordan and I will get Bea and Mrs. Parker out of the house. Then Jack will pull you out.”
“No weapons?” Axel asked.
Chris shook his head. “You’re not going to be involved in any fire fights. You get in, find Bea, and get out. We’ll do the rest.”
“You’re a real drag, Hardy,” Axel said.
“Maybe, but if we’re all lucky, you’ll manage not to die today.” Hardy paused, his storm-gray eyes casing over Axel. “She’s going to be pissed, you know. You being there.”
Axel nodded. “But she’ll be alive when it’s over.”
Hardy muttered something like “you might not be” and then cleared his throat. “Ready?”
Axel straightened out his shoulders, testing out the weight of the gear he wore. It felt comfortable. He’d worn something like this for months when he was deployed in the sandbox, though it was noticeably better quality. He nodded. “Let’s do this.”
~*~*~
The silence of the barn only heightened Bea’s own anxiety and pain. She slumped against the chains as Genevieve and Liam brought in a hooded woman and tossed her at Bea’s feet. Though the clothes were dirty, Bea recognized Mary Jo Parker without even seeing her face. Small, weak whimpers burst out from under the bag. She looked up at her mentor. “What am I supposed to do with this?”
“We’re leaving today. It’s clean up time,” Genevieve said, smiling as she pulled out a 9mm and pointed it at the woman.
“Wait. That’s going to make things worse,” Bea said, pushing out the words in one breath.
Genevieve paused. “How so?”
“This is a small town. She is a very loved member of the community here.”
“Beatrice… is this really what you’ve become?” Genevieve asked, tilting her head curiously. “Caring about some random woman in a podunky town?”
Had she become that? Honestly, she didn’t even see the change as a bad thing. But Genevieve would see it as a weakness.
“It’s not about caring. It’s about exposure. How do you think I stayed off your radar for so long?”
Liam put a hand on Genevieve’s shoulder. “She may be right. When they discover her missing, it will become an investigation. Missing person. They could call the FBI in.”
Well, Liam wasn’t that ignorant of world affairs after all.
Genevieve’s eyes narrowed, but she lowered the gun. “Has she seen us?”
“No. She’s been blindfolded.”
“She heard us.”
Liam shook his head. “I don’t think so. I made sure of that as well.”
“Why would you care, Liam?” Genevieve asked. “Are you getting soft on me?”
“I do not care if she lives or dies,” Liam said. “I do not wish to be exposed.”
Genevieve’s finger slid along the side of the weapon like she was caressing it as she circled Liam. The man stood as still as a statue, like she was a cat that could be spooked by sudden movements.
“You’re worried,” Bea blurted out. Of course. Genevieve always put on a brave front for her little protégés. For the first time, Bea didn’t see her mentor as larger than life. Maybe it was the distance and time she’d spent away from her, but right then… Genevieve was nothing but a woman with a plan going wrong.
Genevieve whirled around, holding that gun towards Bea’s face. The black barrel stared her down like a tiger getting ready to pounce. “I never worry. You know that.”
“I know that’s what you wanted us to think.” Bea stood on her tiptoes, allowing her arms a small reprieve from the pressure of holding her body up. “But that’s not true, is it? You’re afraid. Afraid that Axel isn’t going to come. That you will be forced to kill me, and you don’t want to do that, because that would mean you failed.”
Genevieve glared at Bea. “Be quiet, child.”
Bea laughed. “You’ve overestimated my importance to that man and it’s killing you, isn’t it? That your stupid plan isn’t working.”
Genevieve just glared back at her, seething anger rising to the surface. The one thing that Bea remembered was Genevieve’s quick temper, hot and incinerating at the blink of an eye, r
ather than Bea’s molten smolder. Liam stood by, silent and imposing with his arms crossed. He didn’t pace, didn’t seem angry at all. He simply leaned against the wall, half cast in shadows. Was he afraid? Angry? Did he feel anything at all?
Then the gun lowered, and Genevieve smiled, a bit like her mouth was full of venom. “I can’t wait to cut you from head to toe. To listen to your screams, begging me to kill you.”
“I will never beg you for anything,” Bea growled.
“We shall see,” the woman said smugly.
“Hello?” Bea’s heart froze as the door to the barn opened. That voice. “Hey, anyone in here?”
Genevieve simply looked at Bea, smiling. “Come in, handsome.”
Even in moonlight, Axel looked like an angel… one with curly hair and dark eyes and muscles for miles, but still, an angel. He walked with his hands at his sides, slow and easy like he had not one care in the world.
What the fuck was he doing here? He wasn’t supposed to be here. The others were supposed to lock him away so he’d be safe.
His eyes met hers for a split second. In them, she saw all the rage she’d felt when she’d been whipped for Genevieve. Part of her was elated to see him, but the majority of her was scared shitless.
“Look, Beatrice, he did come for you.”
“I’m here to trade.”
“She’s very valuable, boy. What could you give me to convince me I should?”
“Me. For her safe release.”
Genevieve laughed. “Do you think I was born yesterday? That I haven’t seen this particular maneuver? Trade?” She shook her head. “No. I think I’ll keep you both.”
“You’re going to kill me anyway. What incentive do I have to stay here if you don’t let her go?”
“Actually, it’s recovery then elimination. The people that want you want to talk to you first. But there’s nothing that says I have to give you back in full health. And I want her to watch you hurt. I want her to feel every single bit of pain I inflict on you.”
Axel’s gaze flicked to Bea’s, only briefly, but that locked in moment was one that Bea would remember for the rest of her life, even if it would only be for the next few moments. Though his face gave nothing away, Bea knew in that moment, knew deep inside her chest, in her soul, that she loved that man, that she always would.
And that in order to make sure he survived, Genevieve would have to die.
27
Axel tore his gaze from Bea. Looking at her turned his vision red. Her body was covered in old blood and grime. Her shoulder looked like it needed some serious medical attention. She looked exhausted hanging there by her wrists, her fingers curled in on themselves like they’d fallen asleep on her.
The woman stepping toward him, holding the gun, tilted her head curiously. “You know, you’re actually larger than your pictures suggest.” He stood still as she ran a finger down his arm to his hand. She wrapped her free hand around his wrist and lifted his arm up, like she was inspecting his fingers. “No wonder why Bea liked shagging you.”
Gross. He pulled his hand back. “Let her go.”
Her eyes flicked up to his. “I’m thinking knife work. It’s been a while since I’ve cut into flesh so smooth and pure like yours. I bet you don’t even have scars. Not like my Beatrice, are you? Surely you saw her back when you fucked her?” Genevieve laughed. “Or did she keep my little reminders out of sight?”
It wasn’t just rage he was feeling. It was way beyond that. This woman reveled in hurting people. His body tensed, his anger tasted like bile in his throat.
He turned his head toward her, keeping his body still. “You talk too much, woman.”
“You know, people tell me that all the time. But really, a conversation tells me just about everything I need to know.” She walked away, toward where Bea was, and picked up the hooded woman. A terrified screech escaped the hood.
Fuck. The hooded woman wore that blouse Mary had been wearing the night she’d come into the office. Was that Mary Jo?
Genevieve lifted the gun to the hood. “We’re going for a ride, Axel. You, me, Beatrice, this little tart, and Liam. You try to be a hero, and this woman will get a bullet in the head first.”
“She’s not part of this.”
“She is now. You see, I don’t want to ruin the good time I’m going to show Beatrice later by putting a bullet in her head now. You see, I already promised her she’ll be begging me to kill her later. But this one?” She shook her head. “She doesn’t matter. Except to you, right?”
Axel stared at the hood for a long second. How many people had to die? This whole thing was because of him, because of his past. Because he lived and others died.
“Fine,” he said. “Which way?”
“Liam? If you would, please?” Genevieve said, not moving.
The man with the scar approached Axel slowly, cable ties in his hand. How many minutes in, was he? Seven? Eight? Bea wasn’t out yet. And now it would be harder to get Mary out too.
Liam stood behind him and pulled both his arms back. But as he slipped the ties on, he leaned toward Axel’s ear, where the transmitter that went back to Jack was. “Beatrice’s cuffs are unlocked. There will be a small window to free her.”
Axel felt the click of the ties on him and then Liam walked away like he’d said nothing. Genevieve tossed the woman down and trained the gun on him. “On your knees. Let’s get to know each other better, shall we? We have a few minutes before the helicopter arrives.”
Slowly, Axel lowered himself down to his knees. The ties weren’t completely tight. He could possibly pull his hands free if he wanted to. Was it possible this Liam was helping him? It didn’t make sense. Why would he do it, unless it was some kind of game Genevieve was playing? Didn’t Bea say she was a master manipulator?
Genevieve sat down in the one chair, resting her elbows on her knees. Slowly, one finger stroked along the side of the weapon she held, like she was caressing a lover. It was kind of gross.
“Genevieve—” Axel was surprised to hear the strength of Bea’s voice.
“Shut up, Beatrice. I’m having a talk with your boyfriend right now.” Genevieve smiled. “Liam, go check on our way out.” Liam bowed his head without a word, his dark tresses falling over his eyes and that ugly scar before he left silently.
“You’re not letting them go, are you?”
Genevieve shook her head. “I don’t know what gave you the idea I would. I don’t leave behind loose ends.” She sighed. “You seem intelligent enough. I would have thought you’d have figured it out by now.”
“You need me alive. Which means you need to control me. What better way than women you think I care about?”
“I know that you care,” she said. “I’ve seen it. ‘Oh, Mary, go do something for you!’ Ha. Please.” She laughed, throwing her head back. “The way you are with Beatrice, like that day at the festival… Yes, I saw you both then. You can’t fake that kind of affection.” She straightened her back. “I raised her, you know. I taught her how to kill, how to acquire everything she needed in life. She was nothing before me. I’m more her mother than the woman that birthed her.”
“So I hear.”
“That also means I own her, you know. Always have. Always will. In some dark recess of her mind, she may have thought she could be free of me, but never would I allow that. I would miss my child too much.”
Right. Like the ice harpy in front of him could ever have mourned Bea. Axel jutted his chin out as Genevieve set the gun on her lap and pulled out something that looked like one of those paint brush rolls, but when she opened it, silver reflected from it, in the dim lighting of the barn.
“Are you a screamer, Martinez?” She asked, rotating the blade in a slow roll. “Torture is interesting work. You have to get into the very psyche of a person to make it effective. Screaming doesn’t mean that you’re broken. Not at all. But even strong minds can’t handle hours of constant pain. Everyone has a breaking point. I should like to find yours.”
Genevieve stopped, like she’d lost her breath. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out, not even air. Her fingers tightened around the blade and she made the attempt to raise it, but her hand shook violently, and the thing clattered to the floor.
Genevieve groaned and fell to the floor, facedown. The only thing visible was a small, thin piece of metal.
Her back was wet, a hole in the middle of it, slightly to the left. Her shirt was black, or he was sure the liquid would be red.
He glanced behind her and saw Bea holding on to one of the cuffs for support. She had that familiar cold face, her beautiful dark eyes hard. Then her eyes rolled back into her head.
The next two seconds would forever stay with Axel, stuck behind his eyelids every time he’d close his eyes. He wriggled out of the ties holding his wrists together and ran for Bea’s prone body.
“Bea!” He stopped cold as he caught sight of her back, a mess of fresh and old lashes crisscrossing across the flesh. He pulled her into his arms. “Bea, please.”
A second later, he heard the skitter of metal across the concrete floor. He glanced up as Jack kicked the gun and the knife away from Genevieve’s body. Jack shrugged. “You never can be too sure. I’ve seen more evil harpies than her come back to life at the worst possible moments.”
He looked back down to Bea, who hadn’t moved since he’d touched her. “Is she…” Axel swallowed hard. He couldn’t bring himself to say the next word. He didn’t want it to be real.
“Alive enough to kick your ass to next June,” she croaked without opening her eyes.
From the doorway, Jordan snickered.
“Is it over?” Axel asked Jordan as he walked toward them.
Jordan nodded. “Think so, mate. The other guy surrendered as soon as he saw us.”
Weakly, Bea’s eyes fluttered open. “You weren’t supposed to be here, idiot.”
“Tough shit, bad ass,” he told her before he pressed his lips to her forehead. “You gonna survive?”
She half coughed, half laughed. “I’ve survived worse.”