Page 35 of When We Collide

“You can’t just use my gun. I'm an aviation officer, my gun is registered to me. I’m not driving around with an arsenal in my trunk, JJ. I’m also fully trained in handling guns and heavy artillery. I had to undergo years of extensive training and certification to carry and use it responsibly.” I remind her. “You're a civilian, one that has no business owning or even touching a firearm.”

Jeyla's eyes soften slightly, but her resolve remains. “So, what am I supposed to do Dean? Just sit around and keep my fingers crossed another one of your enemies don’t target us again? How am I supposed to protect our son?”

I draw in a deep breath, weighing her concerns carefully. “JJ, I understand your apprehensions sweetheart, but using a gun is not the only option for your safety. We can explore otheravenues that don't involve breaking the law or putting you in further danger. And let's be realistic, it's not like I have a never-ending list of assailants hunting me down every other week. It’s just one guy.”

Jeyla's voice is tight and tense as she speaks, her angry eyes fixed firmly on me. “It's just one guynow,” she states. “But you're an officer in the Royal Airforce, Dean. The chances of something like this happening again are high, aren't they? You're constantly being deployed to dangerous missions, always at risk of becoming the target of some other arms dealer or terrorist.” She takes in a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves before speaking again. “Who's to say you won't encounter someone else like this in the future?”

“I’m not saying there isn’t a risk, JJ, of course there is. We face risks everywhere we go, every single day, but that doesn’t mean you need to get a gun in order to feel like you’re safe. I can teach you self-defence. We can get you pepper spray?—”

“Pepper spray?” Jeyla intones incredulously. “You want me toseasonsomeone to death?”

I turn my head to look at her sideways, not in the least bit amused. “Do you have any idea how painful it is to have pepper spray in your eyes? That shit will blind your assailant long enough for you to get away.”

This conversation goes on for another hour until I finally manage to convince her that I can teach her some basic self-defence manoeuvrers that will disable anyone of any size trying to attack her in seconds. I can tell she’s not convinced, but she’s dropped the gun issue, so I’ll take it as a win.

The weightof regret hangs heavy on my heart, dragging it down with an unrelenting force.

It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, one I can’t seem to shift. In my entire life, there are only a handful of things I truly regret, and they all revolve around one person—Jeyla.

It’s strange to think that fate brought us together, two souls intertwined in a love so intense yet ultimately doomed. As much as I resisted the idea of soulmates and destiny, there’s no denying the inexplicable pull between us. Why were we brought together if our end was always written in stone? A series of cruel twists of fate, perhaps.

Our love was like an untameable wildfire, burning bright and consuming everything in its path. But how long will it burn until it eventually fizzles out and leaves nothing but ashes behind?

I turn my head to glance at Jeyla and notice she has fallen asleep again in the passenger seat. God, she's so beautiful. Even in all her agony and worry she still looks perfect.

With that thought circling my mind I continue the final hour’s drive back to base. The sun is starting to peek up from behind the horizon, illuminating the darkened sky with those beautiful orange, purple and red hues. I glance at the time, 04:57am, I rub the back of my neck, the dull ache slowly creeping up to my head. I pull my mobile phone from my pocket and dial Chief Scott’s number.

“Captain?”

“Sir, any news?” I ask and hear him heave a sigh on the other end.

“I'm afraid not, son. The team are still working through all the traffic surveillance around the time your son was abducted. We’re getting close, it's only a matter of time now. What's your ETA?”

I squeeze the steering wheel and bite my lip to stop from cursing and glance over at Jeyla still asleep before looking ahead again, “Thirty minutes sir. Chief, you should know I have Jeyla with me.”

“What?” Chief Scott grumbles. “You brought Jeyla along with you?”

“Yes sir.”

“Jesus Dean, what the hell are you thinking bringing your wife to the airbase while we’re in the midst of a crisis? She should be at the safehouse we have arranged for her.”

I rub my forehead tiredly, the stern tone of his voice only sends a surge of agitation up my back. “Chief, with all due respect I would rather keep Jeyla close where I can protect her. So far none of the security protocols we have put in place to protect my family have fazed Lukin in the slightest.” I explain calmly, “They have our son, this crisis concerns her too. I can focus better if she’s safe and I can keep an eye on her.” I explain bluntly. I'm not one to disrespect my superiors, but who does he think he's kidding here? That son of a bitch got close enough to kidnap my son and took out a highly trained security team. “I was told I have the forces full support. Jeyla is the final link. I’m not taking another risk by leaving her unprotected or exposed. Lukin didn’t kill her, but that doesn’t mean he won’t send in his cronies to finish the job, sir.”

I hear him sigh heavily on the other end, “Very well, Reyes. We'll discuss this when you get to base. I’ll inform the team to start the paperwork.”

“Yes sir.” I end the call and glance over at Jeyla, she's still asleep. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to convince Jeyla that she needs to stay put and out of the way while she’s at the airbase. I can’t just have her wandering around unsupervised. They’ll have my fucking head.

As I approach the first security gate, two officers stand guard at the ready with their machine guns strapped to their bodies. Rolling down the window I hand the one approaching my window my badge.

“Captain.” They greet with a salute before handing back my badge and lifting the barrier for me to drive through.

A rush of memories overtakes me as I gaze upon this familiar sight. It's been over a year since I last set foot in this place, my once beloved sanctuary and home, now nothing more than a source of pain and sorrow. The memories come flooding back, of laughter and conversations shared with my fellow officers who have become like family to me. And then there was Colton, my partner in crime on the night shift, our duty to guard and protect these very gates that I now drive through. I park the car up in my usual spot and my hand instinctively reaches over to gently rock Jeyla awake, her small frame jumps in surprise. “We’re here,” I tell her as she looks around frantically.

“No! DJ!”

I can see the turmoil deep in her eyes and it pains me deeply. I release her seatbelt and squeeze her shoulder comfortingly to calm her down. “JJ, shh, shh it’s okay, it was a dream, you were dreaming,” I assure her, but she starts sobbing.

“Dean, they killed him, they killed my baby right before my eyes, and I couldn't stop it. I couldn't do anything!” she weeps. I pull her to me and hold her while she sobs.

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