Second Rate Chances

by S. C. Stephens

  Everything inside of him screamed no! But…if he was going to keep Makayla, saying yes was the only option he had. Chance showing her his responsible side, his desire to change, his desire for redemption, was the only way she’d stay by his side. What had she said to him before? Everyone needs someone to lean on, and she wanted to be that person for him. Everyone deserves redemption.

  The question was…did he want it bad enough? Did he want her bad enough?

  That answer was simple. He did. He’d give himself up today if he’d really get to be with her, but he was pretty sure that ship had already sailed. She wouldn’t wait a decade or two for him. Sure, she’d say that she would, and they might work out for a year or two, but Makayla was a vibrant, vivacious woman, and some man was going to take notice of her. He’d convince her that dating a felon was beneath her—which it was—and then he’d sweep her away and marry her. Chance would lose her and his freedom…and what would be the point of that?

  Opening his eyes, he pulled away from her embrace. Seeing the disappointment filling her features, even before he’d spoken, Chance wondered if she’d understand. Probably not. She’d probably always assume that he’d chosen a life of crime over her. She’d think the worst of him. Well, maybe he could change her mind by example. He wouldn’t go to jail, he couldn’t, but he could conquer the beast within and live an honest life from here on out. He could make her proud…even from a distance.

  The gorgeous depths of her eyes hardened, turning so icy that Chance could almost feel the chill emanating from them. No, she wasn’t going to understand. Sighing, he shook his head. “I can’t go to jail, Makayla.” He shrugged as her brows furrowed. “You expect me to stay locked up in a 6x9 for the next twenty years…maybe share a bunk above my dad…because I was trying to protect you? How does that make any sense for me?”

  She lifted her chin. “You could have stopped the robbery before it even began. You could have turned Garrett in weeks ago—”

  He stopped her by lifting an eyebrow. “On what? I had no proof that he was doing anything wrong.” He pointed his finger out the window, to the dark world outside. “Why do you think so many bad guys are free to roam the earth, Makayla? It’s not because no one is aware that they’re bad. It’s because you need proof to convict someone of a crime—irrefutable proof.” He lifted his hands in a shrug. “The world is not as cut and dry as you wish it to be…the bad guys don’t wear black while the good guys shine in white. And if you’re going to become a part of the force trying to fight the darkness, then you need to learn that nothing is simple. Everyone is a con artist, Makayla…everyone.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t believe that.”

  He looked down to the ground before meeting her eye. “You don’t believe it…yet…but you will. The longer you spend chasing guys like me, guys like Garrett, you’ll see…you’ll get it. Everyone lies, everyone is deceitful, everyone has a bad side to them.” He sighed. “You just have to concentrate your efforts on the ones that no longer have a good side.”

  Makayla put her hands on her hips. “Are you seriously telling me that I should let you go because you’re not as bad as the others…because you’re actually a good guy?”

  Chance smirked. “I never said I was a good guy…but, yes…I’m not a threat to anyone. I want to start over. I want to lead an honest life…if you’ll let me.”

  She frowned, then her lip started to tremble again. “I don’t believe you. I think you’re playing me again, telling me what you know I want to hear, just so I’ll let you go.” She pointed to the bed, where he’d confessed his hardest secret to her—his actual past. “Everything you told me right now was probably a lie.” She raised an eyebrow. “Kidnapped at birth, trained to be a criminal…really?” She gave him a condescending smile. “That was probably one of your lamest stories…you’re losing your edge.”

  Chance smiled at the look on her face, then sighed. “Go to the Penitentiary in Mercer, Pennsylvania and ask to see John Smith if you don’t believe me.” He shrugged. “That’s the name my father is doing time under…he thinks it’s funny.” Chance shook his head. “He’s got nothing to lose by telling you the truth.” Chance twisted his lips as he considered his father getting even by spilling all of their secrets, all of their trademarks. Chance would have a much harder time hiding if Makayla used him as a source…but, maybe that made the situation a little fairer. “In fact, he’d probably love to tell you everything he knows about me. You should find him more than willing to help you catch me.”

  Makayla chewed on her lip, her eyes locking in that piece of information. Yes, she’d definitely use his father against him. He’d have to hide in the middle of nowhere now. He’d have to live a life so honest that he didn’t even get a parking ticket. God, it sounded…boring…but, if it kept him out of prison then it’s what he’d have to do. Besides, he’d already lost Makayla, his freedom was the only thing he had that was worth protecting now. That thought would certainly help curb his demons.

  Looking back to the bed, Chance examined Joseph’s prone body. Grief and guilt washed through him again at the sight. Foolish idiot. “Sorry, Joseph…I hope you get better soon.” He placed his hand on the still man’s leg. “It was an honor to work with you. Thank you for saving Makayla’s life. You did me proud, rookie.”

  Makayla gasped and Chance swung his eyes back to hers. Realization was all over her features as the puzzle of Chance’s job snapped into place for her. He’d always been purposely vague on just where he worked. He’d had to be. He couldn’t exactly tell her that he worked right across the street from her, that he staked her out every chance he got.

  Chance smiled and tilted his head as he took a step away from Joseph’s bed. Makayla’s wide eyes watched him moving. He wasn’t entirely sure what she’d do, but he knew it was time to leave now. He’d made what little peace he could with her. He’d explained his side of things in some hope that she’d forgive him. It was a foolish hope of course, she’d never forgive him, but he’d needed that weight off his chest. They could both move forward now. They’d both never forget, and they’d probably often have regrets, but they could both move on now…he hoped.

  As he edged around her, her eyes tracked his every movement. “Where do you think you’re going, Chance? I’m not letting you get away from me a second time.”

  Chance closed his eyes for a brief second. “Don’t make this complicated, Makayla.”

  She stepped over to block his path. “I’m not. You committed a crime, you’re going to go to jail for it. It’s as simple as that.”

  Chance shook his head. “You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?”

  Makayla gritted her jaw and bunched her fists. “You don’t get a free pass because you want to be a better man! That’s not how the system works. You do your time, you take your penance. Then you get to be a better man.”

  Slowly reaching behind himself, Chance sighed. “And what good does that do anybody? I waste your time, I waste the officers’ time, I cost the state thousands and thousands of dollars, and then, on top of all that, I take up a space in a crowded jail cell that could be used for someone truly dangerous. Where’s the logic in that, Makayla?”

  She rolled her eyes and Chance sprang into action. Taking advantage of her moment of irritated distraction, Chance grabbed the handcuffs he’d slipped into his back pocket earlier. He’d brought them for this very reason. Slapping one end over her wrist, he jerked her forward and attached the other to a support railing along the far wall. Her face was comically shocked as she realized that she was now trapped. Chance grinned at her, then pressed her body into the wall with his own.

  She glared at him, but started breathing heavier too. No matter the distrust and hatred she felt for him, her body was still reacting to his. He’d miss that too. Free as he might be now, he’d never truly be free from Makayla. She was under his skin forever.

  Leaning into her, his lips barely brushing hers, he murmured, “I’m sorry, but I can’t let
you stop me or try and follow me.” Her eyes watched his and her arm jerked against her restraints, but she did nothing to push him away. If anything, her chest pressed against his heaved a little harder. His fingers came up to thread through her hair. “You’re so beautiful, Makayla, and I know some man will come along and make you as happy as you deserve to be, and I’ll have to find a way to live with the idea of you belonging to someone else.” Chance sighed, his heart cracking. “These last few weeks being with you will be among my most cherished memories…probably my only cherished memories. I want you to know that.”

  “Don’t do this, Chance…turn yourself in,” she whispered, her breath warm against his skin.

  Not able to resist, Chance cupped her cheek and pressed his lips to hers. Soft and tender, she welcomed him…still welcomed him. “I love you, Makayla,” he whispered between their lips.

  He felt a hot tear roll against his hand and pulled back to see her eyes glossy and shining in the sparse light in the room. “Chance…” Her eyes searched his, full of love and hatred…torn. “I love you too…but I won’t let you get away with this. I won’t stop hunting for you until you’re behind bars.”

  Chance smiled and stroked her cheek. He wasn’t surprised. Truly, he’d expected nothing less from her. “I know,” he whispered, his mouth returning to hers.

  Chapter 21

  A Change of Heart

  Chance pushed her against a hard, unyielding bar pressing into her back, the bar her wrist was firmly attached to. The cool metal of the cuffs rubbed against her skin uncomfortably, but it was nothing compared to the ache in her heart. She was torn in so many pieces, Makayla wasn’t sure which part of her would break first. He was leaving. He’d lied to her. He would soon disappear. He’d used her. She’d never kiss him again…

  A sob rising in her throat, she reached up with her free hand and threaded her fingers through his hair, holding him to her. It wouldn’t be enough to keep him, but it deepened their already deep kiss. Chance made a strangled noise, like he was trying to choke back the same emotion she was feeling. Both of his hands came up to tangle into her hair, holding her as securely as she was holding him. Their mouths worked together almost desperately.

  Both of them knew this was it…the last moment they’d have. The only moment they’d have. The second they broke apart from each other, they were done. They’d no longer be Colton and Makayla. He’d be the hunted criminal, she’d be the hunter. Everything would change. But then, everything had already changed. It had changed the moment he’d held a gun to her face…loaded or not.

  Makayla pushed back the anger in her belly. She could dwell on that betrayal at a later time. Right now, she just wanted to focus on the love she felt for him. The other emotions could wait their turn. She needed just a second to wrap warmth and caring around her soul, an insulation against the anger and bitterness that was desperately trying to take her over. She could never forgive him for this, but if she could keep the hurt at bay, she could at least accept that he did love her, in some strange, twisted way. If nothing else, she had to believe that was true.

  When they finally did break apart, Makayla was panting, her heart racing. It wasn’t desire that had revved up her body, it was panic. He was leaving. He was the love of her life…and probably the biggest mistake of her life…and he was leaving her.

  Chance stepped back from her and she clenched her hand still entangled in his hair. He cringed, then sighed and used his much stronger fingers to disengage her. Anger flooded through her, washing the remnants of love she felt to the back corner of her brain. “You can’t do this to me! To us!” Shaking her head, she spat out, “If you turn yourself in, we could still be together, Chance.”

  Chance sighed as he opened a cabinet next to her head. “I considered that, Makayla, I really did.” Closing the door, a towel now in his fingers, he shrugged. “But that’s not the way the world works. You’d get tired of conjugal visits. You’d find someone who’d be there for you every night. And I’d lose everything.” Stepping towards her, a look of pure desolation crossed his features. “If I’m going to lose you anyway, at least I can try and keep my freedom.”

  She shook her head. “No, I wouldn’t do that to you. If you—”

  He cut her off by wrapping the towel around her mouth, effectively silencing her. “You say you wouldn’t…but you would, Makayla. Anybody would, and I wouldn’t blame you for it when it eventually happened.” Chance tightened the towel so she could do no more than grunt ineffectually, then he tenderly ran his thumb across her cheek. “At least this way I’m saving us the hassle of pretending that we could work out somehow.”

  Opening the cabinet again, he grabbed another towel and proceeded to tie her free hand to the bar. She tried to pull away, but he was stronger. She tried to kick him, but he had his body angled so that all of his sensitive areas were hidden. All she was doing was bruising his shins; he cringed, but ignored whatever pain she was giving him. Remembering that he’d let two brutes beat him to a pulp, Makayla figured he had a high tolerance for pain and stopped kicking him. It was pointless anyway.

  Now securely fastened to the wall, Makayla begged Chance with her eyes to not leave her like this. He gave her a sad smile, his eyes glossier. “I will miss you.” Leaning in, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. Makayla shook her head, the tears unstoppable now. As much as she hated him, she didn’t want him to leave either.

  Chance stepped away from her. As she watched, a tear slid down his cheek. “Bye, Makayla,” he whispered, his voice cracking.

  She pulled against her restraints as he backed towards the door, but if Chance was good at anything, it was tying knots. She couldn’t break free. She screamed into her towel, but the sound was muffled and they were at the end of a long, quiet hallway; a nurse would have to be right outside the door to hear her.

  Chance paused at the door, seemingly torn at leaving her. Finally, he sighed and shook his head. “I never once lied when I said I loved you. I did, I do, and I always will.”

  Makayla sobbed into her gag, wanting him to stay for so many reasons she thought she might lose her mind. Chance closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then backed into the hallway. Makayla stared at the brightly lit opening, harsh in comparison to the dim hospital room. She willed Chance to reappear, willed him to come back and untie her…turn himself in. He didn’t. After another few long minutes, Makayla dropped her head and accepted that he really had left her. He wasn’t coming back. He wasn’t going to suddenly do the right thing. He was going to be a coward…and walk away.

  Anger shot up her spine and she snapped her head up and glared at the doorway. Well, he could try and walk away, but she wasn’t about to let him succeed. She meant what she’d told him—she would never stop, not until he was behind bars. Chance, Colton, Cody, whatever he wanted to call himself, she would arrest him one day. Of that she was certain.

  It was a good half an hour before a nurse came to check on Joseph. Makayla had been watching the man sleep while waiting. She’d tried everything to get free, even kicking the wall behind her, but all she’d succeeded in doing was bruising her heel. She’d been staring at Joseph for the last several minutes, trying to imagine Chance working side by side with him, all the while planning to rob the building right across the street. It peeved her to no end that his “noble” career of being a security guard had all been a ruse to stake out his target…and her. He’d probably watched her leaving the bank on countless occasions. It creeped her out just as much as it thrilled her.

  “Oh my stars!”

  A shocked voice in the doorway brought Makayla out of her musings. The startled nurse stared at her like she was from another planet. For a second, Makayla just stared right back at her. Then she feebly waved her arms, so the woman would help her instead of gape at her.

  The nurse instantly snapped out of it and rushed to her side. “You poor thing! What happened to you?”

  Makayla rolled her eyes. Wasn’t that the question of the century? Wh
en the woman loosened her gag, Makayla flexed her jaw. “Thanks,” she muttered, not answering the woman’s question. The nurse untied her hand held in place with a towel, but couldn’t do anything about the handcuff. The surprisingly tall woman looked at it, stumped. Makayla sighed and rubbed the skin around the cinch; Chance had locked it on her a little too tight and her entire wrist was red. “Do you think you could call the cops for me?” she asked the woman.

  The nurse leapt to the phone. Makayla half-listened to the call as she leaned against the wall. Chance was long gone by now. He’d stayed behind to apologize to Joseph, to make sure he was okay, and maybe to say his peace to Makayla as well. She wasn’t sure if that had done any good, but he’d at least tried to explain himself. She was torn now, knowing all of the pieces that had made him who he was…but it didn’t change her decision. The moment she was free, she was going to get started on tracking him down. Besides, it was impossible to know if anything he’d told her was true.