Redeem (Whiskey Run Heroes 2)

I stand up and adjust myself. It’s obvious to anyone paying attention that I’m turned on and close to the edge. I lean down and kiss Madison again. I know we’ll have to talk about this eventually, but right now, we’ve got things to do. “You ready, Madison?”

I pull her up and start getting her bag out of the compartment overhead. I need to get her off this plane and put a little distance between us. It’s either that or make her mine. Those are my two choices, and the one is too tempting to resist.

5

Madison

I follow behind John and am trying to look anywhere but at him. I’m still trying to recover from that kiss. He seems completely unaffected by it, and I’m trying to follow his lead. We get to the front of the airport, and I’m about to walk outside when he grabs my hand and pulls me toward the rental car booth. “Uh, I was just going to get a cab.”

He stops, and I run into him. There’s frustration on his face. “And what? Were you going to take a cab to meet with the cartel tomorrow?”

I snort. “I’m not meeting with the cartel, geez, John.”

He shakes his head and lowers his voice while leaning down to whisper in my ear. “Yeah, you are. Baron is the son and future leader of the Colombia Cartel. You have arranged a meeting with a man that is on the FBI’s most wanted list.”

I grab on to his arm to steady myself. “I’m meeting with a guy named Baron, but Ethan said it’s just some random guy he bought drugs off of.”

He shakes his head. “Your brother lied to you. He was supposed to sell the drugs for Baron. Instead, he used them all, and Baron wants his money or your brother’s head. Probably both.”

He stares at me, waiting for it all to sink in. I’m a fool. How could I trust my brother again? When John sees my look of shock, his face softens. “Look, I realize you probably didn’t know.”

“I didn’t,” I answer him.

He nods and squeezes my hand. “Okay, so here’s the plan. We’re going to rent a car, check in at the hotel, and then go see your brother.”

I nod because I’m not in any position to be disagreeing with him right now. What kind of mess have I gotten us into?

John refuses my money when I try to pay for the car rental, and he’s quiet the whole ride to the hotel. I’m sure he’s mad, probably seething mad at this point. I’ve not only gotten myself mixed up with the cartel, but I’ve pulled him into it too. Fuck, I’m a fool.

We pull up to the hotel, and John tries to carry my bag, but I hold on to it. I need some sense of security. We stand in line at the front desk, and I can feel John’s worried gaze on me, but I’m not going to look at him. He’s worried about me, and I’ve completely gotten him into this mess.

“Can I help you?” the woman at the counter asks John.

I step up next to him, but she doesn’t pay me any mind. “Yes, we need one room with two queens please.”

“Uh...” I start, but John puts his hand over mine.

“Until we’re back in Whiskey Run, you’re with me, Madison. I can’t protect you in another room.”

I close my mouth and nod. I should argue, a part of me wants to argue, but a warmth spreads through my body at his protectiveness. I can’t remember anyone ever making me feel protected like he does. So even though I know it won’t last or even if I should let myself be vulnerable to it, I keep my mouth shut and agree with him.

It’s not until we’re on the elevator that I realize he paid for the room. “Uh, I’m so sorry. I’ll pay you for the room and the car, John.”

He looks at me, and his gaze is so fixed on me that I start to squirm. He doesn’t answer, but I can tell by the stern look on his face he’s not going to be accepting any money from me. I turn to stare at the chrome elevator doors. I’ll just give it to Jenna to give to him.

I look at his reflection in the door, and he’s still staring at me. I feel a weight on my chest, and I don’t question it. I know what it is. Any time I’m around John, I get it. I could chalk it up to the simple heartache of wanting someone I know I can’t have, but it’s more than that. My heart literally races when he’s near. I’ve tried to get him out of my system and to forget about him, but any dates I’ve been on, I’ve always compared them to him.