“You sent me to jail, Kellie. Did you expect I wouldn’t want to come back and finish what I started? What I was after all along, or did you give that away to Jarhead.” I have to stifle my laugh. This dumb fuck doesn’t seem to get anything right. Including thinking Kellie is his.
“Did that motherfucker call you Jarhead?” Drake laughs into the mic. I wince because it’s a loud cackle in my ear. There’s nothing I can do. Not even respond. But something tells me if Drake were here, he’d have something to say to Liam with his own fists.
“Were you the one who kept calling the office?” God, this woman, she amazes me. Keeping him talking is the best thing she can do right now, until Travis is in position.
“Who the fuck would call when I could just come into this place, no one aware, and get what I want?” If I weren’t doing the right thing and going with Travis in this God damn protocol, I’d take him out without a care in the world.
“Travis is going through the side door. I’m behind him,” Slade whispers, letting me know shit is about to get real.
“Copy,” Drake responds. As soon as I get a visual of Travis coming in behind him, I use myself as a distraction. I don’t want Liam’s gun pointed at Kellie any longer than necessary.
“What the fuck!” he screams when he sees me. Kellie’s head turns. The look in her eyes devastates me to the core.
“Bridger,” her voice whimpers out.
“It’s going to be okay, Kel.” I know for a fact the guys I call my brothers will without a doubt make sure she’s taken care of and will do anything they can for not only me but for her too.
“If it’s not, I have to tell you something… I lo—” I don’t let her finish.
“Not yet, don’t you dare say those words. You can tell me everything later.” This causes me to be Liam’s target. Sure, I’m wearing a Kevlar vest, but that only helps if he fires at my chest. Kellie is the one I’m worried about most. If he goes for my head, I’m dead, and if she has to witness that, it’s something that will be permanently ingrained in her memory. That’s the last thing I want.
Legend makes his presence known by inching up to Liam without Kellie or him noticing. That puppy, you never know what he’s going to do, but when he lifts his leg and starts to piss on him, I couldn’t be prouder. It gives Travis the in he needs. My eyes never leave Kellie’s, but I see it all in my peripheral vision. Travis kicks out his knees, causing Liam to fumble the gun he had up and pointing at not only Kellie but also myself. The way he was moving the gun let me know he was a novice with it, not even worrying about where he pointed it. I see the weapon go flying, Legend scurrying away, and I dive for Kellie. My only goal is to make sure she’s safe, even if that means I tackle her to the ground.
I hear the clatter of the gun hitting the floor. I maneuver my body so I’m hovering over Kellie, cradling her head to ensure she doesn’t get injured by me.
We hear Liam’s screams. I’m one hundred percent sure Travis is placing him in cuffs while not being delicate about it. I’m glad for it too.
“Sunshine, look at me.” She has her eyes glued shut, as if she’s wishing this were a dream, and I know I’ll have to tell her the whole truth before she finds out from someone else. I hated not giving her the heads-up, but we needed to make sure we could get him and make it as believable as possible.
Her eyes open slowly, showing me those green eyes I love so much, with her golden hair framing her face.
I smile, my frantic heart finally settling down. That’s when Legend comes up, licking her face, wagging his fluffy body, and begging for attention. We both laugh as if there wasn’t something wrong just a few minutes ago. Leave it to Legend to break the ice. The little hell-raiser will forever be a part of our family.
“I have to tell you something,” she says.
“Not before me, so hold that thought.” I help her up, noticing the guys have cleared themselves and Liam out of the room. “Let’s take this out back,” I suggest, my hand holding hers.
“That isn’t ominous or anything,” she grumbles.
“It’s not all bad, but before you tell me anything, I have my own confessions to make.” I’m not going to like this conversation. I can only hope she won’t be too pissed off.
Nineteen
Kellie
The words are ringing in my head. “We have to talk.” I hate seeing genuine fear in his eyes. I’m not saying that Bridger’s perfect because he’s not. Neither am I.