Page 66 of The Heiress

Storm nodded and left without a word.

Jace held me tight. “We’ve got to handle some things you can’t see. But I can’t leave you here unprotected.”

“I can’t drive a motorcycle, Jace.”

He chuckled. “Yeah I know. We’re gonna take the Jeep. I’ll need you to sit in the back and stay there, okay? We’ll park in the shadows a little ways off from where we’re working.”

I agreed because what else was I going to do? All my protectors were here...protecting themselves. I wouldn’t be safer anywhere else. Jace and Storm rode in front while I squeezed into the back, my feet angling into the middle to avoid the indent from the wheel well. Honestly, I felt safer on Jace’s motorcycle, but it couldn’t go where we were going.

Out into the swamp, or at least the edge where the pinelands began to give way to the mud and palmettos. I killed more than one mosquito and wished I put more insect repellent on before we left. There was death by a thousand cuts, and then there was death by a thousand mosquito bites.

Jace parked near three trees close together that effectively blocked my view of wherever they lead. Storm hopped right out and left us behind. Jace reached down and lifted his jeans, removing his gun from the holster. “Take it. Please don’t argue.”

This gun was smaller. It almost looked like a toy except that I knew it wasn’t. He showed me how to use it. I hated it. “How long will you be?”

For a brief moment a mask fell into place. The way his eyes and lips creased at the corners like he was just about to smile disappeared. His eyes grew colder. His jaw set. This was Red. The Red Right Hand had work to do.

“About an hour.”

“Pythons are another club?”

He nodded once. “They don’t like me a whole lot.”

“Be safe.”

He cupped my cheek, pulling me in for another bruising kiss. “Use that.” He nodded at the gun. “Don’t even think about it. Something bad happens, pull the trigger. Worry later.” Then he left.

For a long time I sat there listening to the crickets and frogs, the other unidentifiable insects and animals moving about in their version of the day. Somewhere out there Jace was working too. If I had to guess, he was getting rid of some bodies. I didn’t want to know the truth.

An hour passed, then two. I fell asleep on the cramped back seat. Even though it was warm, the damp air gave me the occasional chill that brought me up from an almost dream state to almost full consciousness.

“She’s asleep,” Jace sighed. The Jeep moved as he leaned against it. “what a fucking night.”

“A goddamned ambush,” Storm grumbled. “They arereallypissed about the fight.”

“They’re not pissed about the fight,” Jace said low, “they’re pissed I killed their sergeant-at-arms.”

“Had to. If you didn’t pull the trigger you’d be dead right now.”

Jace grumbled some more. My heart pounded in my chest. Bile rose up. I knew—Iknew—Jace had killed, but hearing it confirmed was a lot.

“Who would protect Sam?” Storm went on. “Think clear on this brother. We don’t get choices in this life. You did what needed doing. And now you’re here when your lady needs you. Focus on that.”

Your lady.

“They’re not going to stop coming.”

Storm must be pacing because his voice grew softer and further away, then louder and closer. “This was a pretty damn big operation. All their guys and some of the Dark Night crew. This was their shot and they blew it hard, thanks to you.”

“Naw,” Jace said. “They tipped their damn hand crawling out of the trees before they were ready.”

“Todd wants a full report. I’ll do it.”

“You don’t have to,” Jace protested.

“I’ll ride back with you and report in, tell him you’re still cleaning up. He won’t know the difference.”

“You sure?” The Jeep shifted again as he probably stood up.

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