Page 109 of First Surrender
I was close to passing out in my car but Jackson arrived just in time. Now, Declan is dead and I’m going to have to figure out how to tell my baby brother that his dad is gone forever just like our mom.
“Stay here. Keep sipping the water,” he suggests as he gets out. I scoff loudly, following suit. I was helpless before, I’m not going to be helpless now.
“I’m going.”
“Nat, please. I don’t know how this will go. If you’re here, I’ll focus better out there,” he pleads but it falls on deaf ears. I don’t give a shit. I’m going to help find my brother.
“I’m going.”
He blows out an exasperated breath and looks to the sky, a move he hasn’t done in quite some time. I can only hope he’s adding a prayer in for my brother.
“Fine. Stay behind me and don’t argue with me. Listen to them, too.” He points to Jesse and Nathan.
“Fine.”
“Just like that?” He asks, bewildered, always expecting boxing gloves from me.
“I trust you, Jackson, but it doesn’t mean I won’t be a pain in your ass,” I mumble the end part almost to myself.
He steps toward me suddenly and wraps me in his arms. My body melts against his in exhaustion or relief, I’m not sure. I take a deep breath to stop the tears welling in my eyes.
“I love you, fireball. You’re my favorite pain in the ass.” He kisses the top of my head and I push him off to break the vortex between us. He’s about to ruin the hard shell I’m faking to get through this.
“Stop being sweet, please.” My eyes bore into his, begging him to understand. He smirks softly because he gets me.
“Alright, get your ass in gear. Time to hike.”
We trudge through thick underbrush for what seems like a mile, Jackson in front, Jesse and Nathan flanking behind me on either side, putting me at the center of their makeshift macho man triangle. I’d normally be rolling my eyes at them but I’m too weak to care.
My body is slowing down, the fatigue is far overshadowing any lasting adrenaline that I might’ve been storing in my body. This is probably why Jackson wanted me to stay in the truck but I’m too stubborn to admit he might’ve been right.
He throws a hand up suddenly, halting Nathan and Jesse in their tracks. I, however, am slow to react and smack right into Jackson’s back. He doesn’t budge at my collision but raises two fingers and points straight ahead, speaking some secret language I’m not privy to.
“What the hel-” Before I can ask what he’s signing, Jesse’s hand wraps around my bicep, gently but firmly.
“Sorry,” he whispers before he tugs me back a few feet and plants me behind his back. All three of them are suddenly standing in front of me with weapons pointed forward. I don’tknow what the hell is happening until two men come stumbling through the brush.
Zeek and one of his loser friends.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I remark at the same time Jackson speaks.
“Hands up. Don’t move or I’ll shoot,” Jackson commands with thundering authority, making me shiver. Both the idiots are taken off guard and luckily, comply immediately.
“We don’t have guns,” Zeek whines and that finally gives me enough strength to roll my eyes. I’m at my limit for this bullshit today. Too bad Jackson doesn’t have a reason to shoot him.
“On your stomachs. Hands behind your back. Now.” Another demand followed through and within a few minutes, both Zeek and his counterpart are handcuffed together around a tree.
“Dispatch, I’ve got two in custody. Ping my location and send the closest available units to pick up.” He looks back to check on me and then nods to Jesse. “Let’s keep moving.” Nathan gives the handcuffs one final tug before we continue forward.
“Good luck! You’re gonna need it!” Zeek quips at us as we begin walking even deeper into the woods. Whatever that means, it doesn’t sound good for Dec. I turn around and give him a quick kick to the shin making him wail in pain.
Jackson quickly pulls me back into position behind him making my feet fumble while Nathan and Jesse smirk at me.
The sun is getting low in the sky and we only make it another half mile before Jackson mumbles a curse under his breath.
“What? What is it?” I peer around him and see tall metal fencing with barbed wire at the top. “What is this?”
He hasn’t responded but his eyes find mine and I see clear apprehension. “What is it, Jackson?”