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In the center of the dimly lit room, a single chair sat ominously next to a metal table adorned with an array of deadly weapons. James was stripped down to only his underwear, his head covered by a rough burlap sack. His arms were tightly bound behind the chair, while his ankles were secured just above his bare feet.
Jade took a step closer to me and I instinctively draped my arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. I pressed my lips to the side of her head, trying to offer some comfort before what was about to happen.
“You sure you’re okay with this?” I asked softly, giving her one last chance to back away from the disturbing scene that was about to unfold in front of us.
She nodded confidently, a fierce smile on her face.
“Okay,” I muttered. “Stand to the side for now.”
Without another word, she pushed past us and marched straight toward James. With one swift motion, she violently ripped off the cover over his head, revealing his duct taped mouth. The burlap sack fell to the floor.
“Control her, Tyler,” Ian demanded in a low growl. “We still have protocol.”
With a nod, Tyler closed the distance between him and Jade in mere seconds, gripping her wrist tightly and pulling her to the side. Even though he was family, he wasn’t as deeply involved in our business as we were, and Ian wanted it to stay that way.
But Jade wouldn’t be controlled. She jerked away from Tyler’s grasp, willpower burning ferociously in her eyes. “No!” she exclaimed, stamping over to the table, and grabbing one of the blades off the surface. “Ty, I know you wanted him, but he’s mine. I won’t let you kill anyone.” She held it under James’s chin. “I trusted you! You’ve been in my fucking house! You’ve taken my daughter to get ice cream!”
I took a hesitant step forward, ready to intervene, but Ian’s hand shot out in front of me, firmly hitting my chest. “On second thought,” he murmured, lowering his hand, “let’s see how this plays out.”
I slid my hands into my pockets, proud that Ian was finally giving Jade the chance to do what she did best.
“You’ve protected our dancers from people!” she continued. “Why the fuck would you spend years with Ian only to fuck us over?!”
His eyes widened in shock at her sudden appearance, fear in his unscathed face as he tried to mumble a response. Ice Man had been strictly instructed not to harm him.
Jade stormed toward us, her blazing gaze fixed on Ian as she came to a stop before him. “I know this is a fight you want, and I respect you as my boss and my apparent cousin-in-law now. But with your permission, I need to do something.”
Ian lifted a hand to stroke his beard, arching a skeptical eyebrow as he glanced back at James and then at me. I gave a subtle nod of approval before he turned his attention back to Jade, giving her permission with a single nod.
Her expression softened slightly as she mouthed a quiet “thank you” before turning toward Tyler. “I think you’re gorgeous just the way you are,” she reminded him.
Confusion flashed across Tyler’s face before she spun back around and grabbed another knife off of the nearby table. The pride swelling in my chest was almost overwhelming as I watched her inspect the blade. She strolled confidently up to James.
Looking back at Ian for confirmation, she asked, “Can I remove the tape?”
He nodded in response.
With a malicious grin, she turned back, ripping the tape off his face, causing him to let out a humiliating screech. She couldn’t contain her laughter.
“You fucking bitch!” he bellowed.
My blood boiled as I took a furious step forward, my heart racing with anger and protectiveness over my girlfriend. And again, Ian threw his arm out to the side, stopping me. I could’ve pushed past, but he knew I wouldn’t… yet. Not until I truly snapped.
Nico and Tyler both lit cigarettes in unison, their expressions calculating as they watched the scene unravel before them. Chance stood with his head cocked to the side, arms folded. Ian and I remained composed, ready to intervene if necessary. Ice Man hovered close by, prepared to step in if James broke free.
“You’re a fucking coward!” Jade yelled at James. “You wouldn’t even help Paris when I took her to kill her!” She paced in front of him. “What does that say about you? Traitor? Scared maybe?”
“Jade,” James growled through gritted teeth, “I’m not who you want. I’ve been playing their game to protect you all.”
She flipped the knife around in her hand with lightning speed, holding it dangerously close to his throat as she sang out, “And I don’t give a shittt because I know you’re lyinggg!”
“No, I’m not!”
Her laughter was cold and cruel as she pulled the knife away from his throat. “It’s funny how the ones who call me a bitch are always the first ones to try to talk their way out of things,” she taunted him, glancing back at Tyler for a moment before turning her attention back to James. “Do you see what your friends did to my cousin’s face? Do you see how he looks now?” She paused, twisting the knife’s point back and forth on her palm. “I happen to think he looks amazing. It’s given him character.”
“I didn’t do that!” James protested with desperation in his voice. “I had nothing to do with it!”
Jade’s grip tightened on the knife as she leaned in closer to him. “And yet, you’re going to pay for what you have done and the sins your family committed against mine.”
