Page 119 of Lucky Boys
“Got it.” Then I watched as he did a move straight out of an anime, using the banister to swing around the corner, and catching the guy right in the chest with his feet. He tumbled down the stairs. Brooks whooped, before grabbing Matty’s hand and double timing it down the stairs.
Wes was still here, wasting time. I heard his phone ring and he ignored it.
Finally I managed to gather the courage to turn toward him. “Your kids are gonna need you. There’s literally nothing you can do for me right now. I’m fine. Please just go.”
Still Wes hesitated. I squeezed my eyes shut, but I needed him gone. If he stayed, I would rely on him. I would fall apart in his arms, and I just…I couldn’t afford to do that.
“Wes, I need you to leave. If you care about me at all, you’ll respect that and go. I’ll safeword if I need to.”
He gasped, low and painful like I shattered him. My words did the same to me. It left a gaping hole in my chest that I wasn’t sure would ever be able to be repaired. I may be damaging it beyond hope.
Optimism that maybe I didn’t just ruin everything by pushing him away would have to wait. That was one more thing I couldn’t afford right now. Any optimism I felt had to be directed toward Brooks and the others. They were the ones with their lives at stake. I only had potential heartbreak to contend with.
I…was hesitant to say love but my feelings for Wes were big and strong, and headed there quick. I didn’t want to lose him, but if that was what got him out of this room, then so be it. As much as I’d love for him to stay, he could help Jay and Dakota, he couldn’t help me, and I didn’t want him to regret choosing me over his kid and their family.
“This isn’t over Diego. If you think you can push me away, you’re mistaken.”
I swallowed down my panic and turned away from him. I couldn’t deal with this right now. Maverick took down two guards that were coming for Brooks and Matty from behind. Brooks knocked another one out, then stabbed another in the leg. Even Matty got a punch or two in. Meanwhile, Skye and Leo were literally shooting their way to Luca.
By now everyone knew something was up, and the place was in lockdown. “They just locked everything down,” I told everyone, “I’m working on overriding it. Luca, Skye and Leo are coming, but be prepared to fight your way out.” Just a subtle nose scratch was the only response I got from him.
Wes stood up. “I love you, Diego. I will be back for you.”
He finally left, and as soon as the door to my office shut the tears started. No, fuck, not yet. I had to get everyone out alive first.
There was a scream and one of the guys, Daniels, got shot. “Fuck, boss, Daniels is down,” someone else called. Even watching them, there was too much chaos to follow everything.
“I’m…I’m okay. It hit my leg. Don’t worry about me.” He gasped out
“Can you walk, Daniels?” This was Maverick. He took down two more as he asked.
“I’ll try, sir.”
“Good. Peterson, get him the fuck out of here. We’ll handle the rest.”
“The van is waiting for you all,” I told them, “the police are on the way, so hurry up and get out of there, and the plane is cleared to go. Oh also, I made them cops aware that there might be innocent people in there, and they’re prepared to have to help trafficking victims.” Unfortunately, it was the best we could do now. I knew some of these assholes would end up getting away, but our primary role was to get Matty out of here, and anyoneelse we could help, we would. Those who managed to get away from the cops, well, we’d have to deal with later.
“We’re going to need medical attention.”
“On it, someone will meet you on the plane.” I replied, distracted, already taking care of it.
“Thanks Diego.”
I just watched and hoped it was enough. Brooks and Matty were the first ones out. The van door opened, and Brooks nearly threw Matty inside.
“I’m going back in.” He told us.
“No!” This was Luca. His cover had been broken now. They had locked the room he was in and two guards tried to remove him without making a scene to start with. Let’s just say they failed, and now he was literally fighting his way out as more and more guards poured out of fucking nowhere. How he was able to not only stay standing, but still focus on Brooks was fucking impressive. “Stay the fuck there and protect Matty.”
“But—”
“It’s a fucking order, Brooks. Stay put.”
He grumbled something but then replied, “Yes, sir.” He stood by the van, on alert and with the knife ready.
I could tell he was anxious though and didn’t want him to do something wreckless. “Amara is safe.” I confirmed that a few minutes before the shit went to hell. I was glad Luca had thought of having other people in place.
“Thank God. D, that was so fucking bad.”
