“What happened?” I rasped.
Shiloh lifted my shirt and looked over my torso, then his eyes scanned the ground around us. When he looked back at me, his eyes widened just before turning hard. I knew exactly what had happened. Macie.
“Here, take this,” he said as he shoved a pill into my mouth. I did as I was told and sucked in a deep breath as the pain started to ease.
“We’ve got to get to them,” I said to Shiloh as I got back to my feet. He nodded and mouthed the words get the gun before walking toward Jon and Daniel. Bennett fell into step beside him and I turned my focus to Brooke and Blaire.
Brooke had lowered the gun but still held it with both hands like she was prepared to use it if necessary. Blaire was staring at her sister with tears in her eyes and a look of disbelief on her face. I almost felt sorry for her, but then I remembered that she could have helped us but chose not to.
“Brooke,” I said in a soft voice as I walked toward her with my hands held out to my sides. “We can work this out, baby. This is just a rough patch.” I kept my voice low and smooth as I spoke and continued to get closer to her. I swallowed hard as I tried to keep the sick feeling in my stomach at bay. Brooke looked panicked at first and took a step away from me.
“C’mon, Brookie, don’t be that way. Come here. Let me hold you while we talk about things.” I stuck out my bottom lip and contorted my face to look hurt. Her bottom lip quivered and she sucked it between her teeth. I reached my hand out and cupped her cheek. I hated myself for touching her, but I had to get close enough to get the gun. I had to get this shit started so I could end it and get to Macie. When she leaned into my touch, a tear fell onto her cheek and slid under my palm. That's when I knew I had her. I leaned in slowly with my eyes flicking from her mouth to her eyes. Once I got close enough to feel her breath against my mouth, I saw her eyes flutter completely closed.
I made my move quickly, grabbing the barrel of the gun and wrenching it out of her grasp. At the same time I heard grunting coming from behind Brooke. Shiloh and Bennett had started their own shit as well.
Brooke was so caught off guard that she looked dizzy for a moment, but when she realized I had her own gun pointed directly at her, she narrowed her eyes into slits.
“Jon!” she shrieked. I glanced over to where Jon and Daniel had been standing minutes earlier. Daniel was on the ground getting his face pummeled by Bennett’s fists while Jon and Shiloh were trading punches a few feet away from them. I’m not sure how they managed to get the baseball bats away from Jon and Daniel, but I was relieved to see that Bennett and Shiloh could indeed hold their own.
“Sit down. Both of you,” I demanded through gritted teeth. Blaire obeyed instantly while Brooke took her sweet ass time.
“You should know that I won’t think twice about pulling this fucking trigger,” I snapped as I took a hard step toward her. “Don’t move a fucking muscle.”
I kept the gun aimed at the twins as I walked backward over to the guys. Bennett was wiping his bloody knuckles on his jeans as he stood over an unconscious Daniel. Jon was still putting up a decent fight, but it was clear that he was running out of stamina quickly. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to wait for that to happen. I turned my body, aimed the gun, and pulled the trigger. Jon was on the ground screaming and clutching his leg just above his knee less than a second later.
“Bennett, call the cops. Stay with them until they get here. I’ve got to get to the airport,” I said as I shoved the pistol into his hand. I was running toward my bike when Shiloh shouted my name. I slowed my pace to a jog and turned my head slightly so I would be able to hear what he had to say. “I’ll follow you in Bennett’s car.”
I nodded as I mounted my bike and the engine roared to life. Shiloh peeled out of the gravel driveway right behind me. I couldn’t help but think of how much more pain Macie may have endured since I’d taken that pill. A part of me wanted to feel it all, but another part of me knew I’d be no help to her if I did.
I drove faster than I’d ever driven before. Thankfully, there were no cops around, not that I would have stopped for them if there were.
I pulled into the parking garage at the airport what felt like hours later, but I knew it hadn’t actually been that long. Shiloh had to find a place to park Bennett’s car, so I went in without him. I walked to the first desk I saw and asked the woman if there had been any altercations within the last few hours. She assured me that there hadn’t been anything out of the ordinary and attempted to sell me a ticket for a flight to New York. Shiloh jogged up to me as I turned away from the infuriating woman.
“How are we going to find them?” I asked, frustrated. Shiloh looked around frantically.
“We need to sit down. You can still feel her, Jasper. You just have to focus.”
I followed him to an empty bench. “I won’t be able to. I haven’t felt anything since I took that pill,” I told him.
“Just concentrate. Think about her and nothing else. You can find her.”
I did as he said and sat down. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I thought about all things involving Macie Smith. Her soft blonde hair. Her bright blue eyes. The way she looked when she was pouting. Her tiny body and the way she fit perfectly in my arms.
As I sat there and thought of her, I started to feel a dull ache in my side. It was nowhere near the kind of pain I had felt earlier, but it was definitely there. I pressed my hand to my side and focused on nothing but the pain. I don’t know what happened or how I knew where to go, and I didn’t care. All I cared about was getting to her as fast as fucking possible.
I sprinted out of the airport and back to the parking garage. Shiloh was only a step behind me as I rounded the corner and made my way up two flights of stairs. I saw Sam’s truck and darted toward it.
I slowed to a brisk walk when I got close enough to see Sam leaning against the tailgate of his truck with a cigarette between his lips. I felt somewhat calmer after seeing that Sam wasn’t panicked in the least.
“Where’s Macie?” I asked as I got closer.
“Shit, man. I’m glad you’re here. I’ve tried calling you. She’s fine. She’s in the truck with the other two.”
I had to fight the urge to go directly to the truck and see that Macie was okay for myself, but I wanted to find out what had gone down while I was at the guest house.
“What happened here?” Shiloh asked when he caught up.
Sam let out a loud sigh and rubbed his hand over his face. “Taylor asked me to let her say goodbye to her boyfriend,” he said with a shrug. He paused to take a drag before he continued. “I went inside with Nat while Macie stayed out here with Taylor and the dude. When we realized it had been long enough, we decided to come back out and get them.” Another pause and another drag. “Macie was on the ground in the fetal position and the dude was standing over her with a knife. Taylor was pale as fuck. I started running toward them just as Taylor reared back and clocked the mother fucker in the side of his jaw. He lost balance long enough for me to get to him. Nat took care of Macie; she was good as new by the time I was able to get to them. They've been in the truck sleeping for almost two hours. We do have a little problem, though.”
I glanced at Shiloh and saw that he was still looking at Sam expectantly, so I did the same.
“I killed him,” Sam shrugged.
I immediately started looking around the parking garage trying to find the body or any evidence of one.
“You killed Taylor’s boyfriend?” Shiloh asked in a tone that didn’t sound angry, but didn’t sound pleased either.
“Yes. I killed Taylor’s boyfriend who was trying to kill Macie,” Sam said with a grunt.
Shiloh nodded before taking a step toward Sam and sticking his hand out. “Thank you for keeping them safe,” he said, his voice was raspy with emotion.
Sam shook his hand and nodded. When Shiloh moved toward the backseat of the truck, I grabbed Sam’s hand and pulled him into a hug. “I can’t thank you e
nough,” I said.
“You can start by helping me get rid of the body and keeping my ass out of jail,” Sam said with a laugh and I knew he was only half joking.
“Speaking of the body —,” I trailed off.
“In the back of a black Silverado downstairs.”
I nodded. “Give me a minute and we’ll take care of it.”
I walked to the side of the truck and stood beside Shiloh. He had already opened the door to the backseat. Nat was asleep, leaning against the passenger side window. Macie was asleep with her head lying on Nat’s lap, and Taylor was awake, staring at her feet.
“Shiloh, I’m so sorry,” she sniffed. “I never would have told him where we were if —.”
“Don’t do that to yourself, Taylor. You’re all safe and nothing else matters,” Shiloh said, cutting her off as he pulled her out of the truck and into a hug.
When he released her, she nodded and walked toward Sam. I watched as she leaned against the tailgate beside him. “Can I have one of your smokes?” I heard her ask.
“Macie, wake up. Jasper is here,” Shiloh whispered as he gently shook Macie’s shoulder.
Macie popped up fast and looked around frantically as if she were scared. The sight of it infuriated me, but I didn’t let it show. I stepped in front of Shiloh and scooped Macie into my arms. “I’m right here, baby,” I whispered.
When Jasper held me I couldn’t hold back the tears no matter how hard I tried. I wasn’t sure I would see him again, yet there he was holding me tight and kissing my hair.
“Are you okay?” I asked through my tears.
“Not a scratch on me,” he smirked. He sat me on my feet and gently pulled my shirt up so he could look at my left side. The bandage that Nat had gotten from someone inside was blood soaked. I could see Jasper’s jaw flexing as he reached out to remove the bandage. I held my breath as he pulled it off, but, surprisingly, it didn’t hurt.
“You need stitches,” he said through gritted teeth.
“I know. Mandy can do it for me.”
I could tell that his anger was getting worse the longer he looked at my wound. I cupped his face with both of my hands and forced him to look into my eyes. “I’m okay, Jasper. It doesn’t hurt anymore. I’m okay.”
He studied my face for several seconds before finally nodding and pulling me against his chest.
“I felt it. When he stabbed you, I felt all of it. I was scared,” he whispered.
“It’s over,” I said in a confident voice.
“Mace? We need to get back to Mandy’s to check on Bennett. Jasper and Sam have some things to take care of, so you and Taylor can ride with me,” Shiloh said as he put his hand on my shoulder.
“Be right there,” I muttered.
Jasper leaned down and kissed me softly. “I’ll be there as soon as I can,” he promised.
I nodded as Taylor grabbed my hand and walked me toward the stairway. Taylor didn’t let go of my hand until we arrived at the guest house. Bennett and Mandy were waiting on the porch, and I assumed Shiloh had texted them on the way.
“Everything okay here?” Shi asked as he approached Bennett.
“All good,” Bennett nodded.
“Come inside, Macie. My things are in the kitchen,” Mandy said as she put her hand on my back and ushered me into the house.
Taylor followed us while Nat and Shiloh stayed outside. I knew they were going to be giving Bennett all of the details about Jarren, and I was sure that Taylor didn’t want to hear it again.
Taylor winced just as much as I did while Mandy stitched up the two-inch cut in my side. Mandy hummed as she worked. I wasn’t sure if she just liked humming or if she was trying to help me relax, but I appreciated it either way. When she was finished, Taylor and I helped her clear the table before settling in front of the TV.
“Tay, you know that none of this is your fault. Don’t you?” I asked.
“That doesn’t make me feel any less guilty,” she replied without looking away from the television.
“I’m sorry that this happened,” I whispered.
“Me, too, Mace.”
Nat came inside not long after Mandy had left. She inspected my wound and gave her approval of Mandy’s work.
“How are the two of you holding up?” she asked as she sat down between us.
“Fine,” we both said in unison. We looked at each other and giggled.
“Things like this are never easy, girls. But, unfortunately, we are faced with them from time to time. Both of you know that I’m here to talk any time, right?”
We both nodded and she hugged each of us. Shiloh and Bennett came inside and hugged us before going to their rooms. Tay and I stayed on the couch and watched reality TV shows until we both eventually dozed off.
When I woke up I realized that I was being carried up the stairs. I didn’t have to open my eyes to know that it was Jasper that was carrying me. He must have just showered because all I could smell was his body wash. He laid me on the bed gently before going back to shut the door to our room. Once he was lying down, he pulled me against him and I laid my head on his chest.
“You awake?” he whispered.
“Mhm,” I nodded.
“I want to tell you something before you fall asleep.”
“What is it?” I asked, sleepily.
“I’m in love with you and I couldn’t let another day pass without you knowing.”
I swallowed quickly as a lump tried to form in my throat. “I love you, too, Jasper,” I whispered.
“You do?” he asked, shocked.
I propped myself up onto my elbows and looked at him. His face was barely visible in the dark, but I wanted him to know that I meant what I said. “I think I loved you even when I wanted to hate you,” I said honestly.
“I’ll never let you hate me. You know that, right?”
“I know that, now,” I said with a laugh.
“Go back to sleep, Macie,” he said before pecking my lips.
I thought I was entirely too giddy to fall asleep, but somehow I managed.
***
The next morning Bennett made breakfast for everyone. As we ate he explained how everything had worked itself out the night before. Apparently, when the cops came Blaire got nervous and told them everything. She informed them about the hit list that her sister had made and told them that she’d been in trouble for something like this when they were younger. Brooke was supposed to be medicated, but she hadn’t been taking the pills recently. Bennett said that Blaire also told the cops where Jon and Daniel were storing all the shit they’d stolen. Basically, Brooke was going to a mental institution while Jon and Daniel made themselves at home on the inside of a cell.
Nobody brought up the incident with Jarren and Sam and I was glad. I didn’t want to know what they’d done with Jarren’s, body and I really didn’t want to know why Jasper’s best friend was able to kill so readily.
“We’ve got to go back home today,” Nat told us.
“And we want you and Jasper to come with us,” Shi said to me.
I looked at Jasper then back to Shiloh. “Uh,” I started.
“I’ve always wanted to go to Washington,” Jasper said as he grabbed my hand under the table. I looked at him, shocked.
“What?” he asked. “Florida is overrated. It’s always hot as hell down here,” he shrugged.
“You want to move to Puyallup?” I asked with raised brows.
“I think I’d prefer Seattle, but I want to go where you go.”
“I want to come, too,” Taylor said quietly.
“What? You want to leave Florida?” She’d loved Florida for as long as I’d known her, and she hated the rain.
“I need a change of scenery,” she shrugged.
“Then, hell, what are we waiting for?” I asked, excitedly.
***
Four and a half weeks later, Jasper and I helped Taylor move into an apartment in downtown Seattle. Her place was only ten minutes from our own, which would be
perfect for us when we carpooled to school next semester.
Bennett, of all people, helped Jasper get a job as a night guard at one of the largest jewelry stores in Washington. Ironically enough, he loved it. I worried, at first, that he might be tempted to take things, but he had assured me that he didn’t want to steal anymore. I believed him. And I loved him working nights so we could be together during the day.
The rogue Protectors tried to convince me to join up with them when we first settled in, but I refused. I had a real problem with Protectors who used their gift to harm others and, unfortunately, the majority of them did just that. I actually drove to Puyallup and worked with Shi and Nat most nights.
***
“When will Sam be here?” I asked, applying the finishing touches of mascara.
“Should be any minute, babe. Are you almost ready?”
“Ready,” I said as I walked into the bedroom.
Jasper was pulling his boots on, but when he looked up at me he stopped.
“Holy shit,” he muttered. “Where did you get that dress?”
Chill bumps spread over my skin as I watched him look me up and down with heat in his eyes. The dress was black with specks of gold throughout the material. It was spaghetti strapped with a low V down the front. The dress was snug around my chest and flowed out around my hips. I had paired it with a pair of gold heels I’d borrowed from Taylor.
“Tay helped me pick it out yesterday,” I said as I chewed on my bottom lip.
Jasper tossed his boots to the side and stalked toward me. “I love this fucking dress almost as much as I love you,” he said huskily.
I sucked in a breath just before he slammed his mouth against mine. I would never get tired of the way he kissed me. Of the way he made me feel. Of the way he loved me.
He picked me up and I locked my ankles behind his back. Without breaking the kiss, he walked to the bedroom door and kicked it shut. The second it clicked into place, he pressed my back against it and pressed himself against me.
Sam chose that moment to start knocking on our front door.
Change Me (The Protector Series Book 2) Page 11