Page 33 of When We Collide

“Captain, you and I both know the only way to protect your wife is to get her to a safehouse. I've instructed Sergeant Hudson and his team to personally take her someplace safe and off the grid until we resolve this.”

Shaking my head, I pinch the bridge of my nose hard to ease the tension I can feel throbbing in my head. “With all due respect, sir, I was assured that no harm would come to my family. I was told they would be safe and look how well that turned out. I put my trust in the system, and now that mother fucker has my son. So, you can understand why I will not make the same mistake twice.”

Jeyla steps closer, and every time I see the pain in her eyes, the anger and frustration inside me boils over.

“Dean,” Marshal Bennet’s voice softens slightly. “I understand your anger. Believe me, I do. That’s why we’re pulling out all the stops. But I need you to get your head straight and focused. Getting your family to safety is the first step. Then we can go after Lukin with everything we've got. We only have one shot at getting this right.”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “Sir, I’m requesting permission to escort Sergeant Hudson and his team to the safehouse. Until I see that Jeyla is safe and protected, I will not be able to focus.”

There’s a pregnant pause before he speaks. “Very well, Captain. Get your family safe, then get to base. We have a lot of work to do.”

“Understood. I’ll be there,” I reply, my voice resolute.

The call ends, and I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the battle ahead. Lukin has no idea what's coming for him. I’m going to strip the life out of that son of a bitch with my bare hands or die trying.

“Who was that?” Jeyla asks.

“Marshal of the Air Force. He's the highest-ranking officer in the Air Force.”

“What did he say?” Jeyla asks watching me closely as I stuff the phone back in my pocket and walk over to her. “Is there any news about DJ? Have they found him?”

I sigh, shaking my head, “No, not yet, but they’re working on it. He called to tell me he's been made aware of the situation and assured me that he's going to do whatever it takes to get our son back.” I assert and watch as the tiny speck of hope that appears in her eyes vanishes and once again a look of gut-wrenching sorrow takes its place.

“You told him that you would be there? Where are you going?”

“I need to head back to base.” Jeyla stares at me mutely for a moment, so I continue. “But first I need to make sure you’re taken someplace safe. There’s a car with a highly trained team of officers waiting outside so I need you to pack a bag so we can head out.”

“What?” Jeyla’s green eyes narrow and she shakes her head almost vehemently. “No, I’m not going anywhere.”

“JJ,” I sigh as I take a step toward her. “Please, listen to me, you’ve seen first-hand what I’m up against. You could have been killed trying to stop them. There is no knowing what Lukin and his men are going to do next. I’m not putting you at risk. I need you someplace safe so I can focus on getting our son back, all right? Oz will go with you so you’re not alon?—”

“No Dean, I’m not going to a damn safehouse. I’m coming with you.”

I can feel my annoyance mounting, so much so that my temples start to throb in agitation. “No, you’re not coming with me. You’re going to a fucking safehouse where you’ll be safe and protected.”

“Do I look like I give a shit about my safety right now, Dean? My son has been ripped away from me and you’re standing there talking about a fucking safehouse. I’m coming with you.”

“Jeyla, I’m heading back to base for an operation. Not only is it too dangerous for you to come with me, you’re also a civilian; civilians are not allowed at the airbase. Stop being stubborn, listen to me and go pack a bag.” When she stares back at me with those heated, defiant eyes and makes no move to do as she’s told, I growl. “Now!”

“I said no!” She fires back hotly. “I’m not one of your cadets,Captain, you can’t just bark orders at me and expect me to blindly obey. You either take me with you or so help me God I will find my own way there, even if it means I die trying.”

My scowl deepens at her defiance, the familiar surge of electricity between us sparking once again. “Don't push me, Jeyla,” I warn through gritted teeth. “I will have them take you away by force and keep you locked away until the threat is dealtwith. I'll die before risking your life again, do you understand me?”

“Try it and see what happens.” Jeyla hisses, staring up into my eyes defiantly. If we weren’t in the shit situation we are in now, there is only one way we would be settling this fight.

“You’re challenging me like I won’t throw you over my shoulder and stuff you in that fucking car kicking and screaming.” I speak slow and keep my tone low as I step into her space, forcing her to tip her head back as she peers up at me. “You underestimate the lengths I’m willing to go to ensure that you’re safe, JJ.”

“While my baby is in the hands of the man who wants you dead what does my safety even matter? You can’t just ship me off to God only knows where and ask me to sit around on my thumbs while he’s out there somewhere, scared and alone Dean. I won’t do it.” She glowers at me. “If you truly want to make up for the hell you've put me through, now is your chance. I'm either coming with you or I’ll sit and wait here, if they come and kill me so fucking be it.”

“Are you not listening to me? Or are you deliberately being difficult to test my fucking patience?” My voice is sharp, cutting through the tense air like a knife. “They will not allow a civilian to walk into the heavily guarded airbase. There are strict procedures that need to be followed, JJ. I can’t just casually stroll in with you.”

Jeyla's face flushes with anger as she retorts, “Then ask them to make an exception, Dean! Given the dire circumstances and considering they are responsible for our baby's abduction, I'm sure they can find a way to bend the rules this once.” Her fists clench at her sides in frustration. The tension between us is so thick it’s sucking the air right out of the room.

Fucking Christ, I love the girl to death, but she can be downright exasperating when she’s in one of her tenacious moods. Usually, I would get off on every second of it, but this isn’t one of our usual fights that we can settle with a fuck. The safety and wellbeing of our child is in question. The determination roaring deep in her eyes tells me she’s not about to back down. I could have her taken forcibly, but the last thing I want is to cause her more distress and for her to hate me more than she already does.

I know Jeyla better than I know myself, there's no talking her down when she's set her mind to something. Not that I can blame her. She’s a mother after all. What force is stronger than a mother’s concern for her child?

“Dean.” Jeyla’s tone goes from angry to pleading in a matter of seconds when she likely picks up on my turmoil. What the fuck am I supposed to do here? At least if she’s at the airbase I can keep an eye on her and it would be the safest place for her.

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