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chapter nine
Ajax
I frown as I follow the trail Dennings left me. Some of the signs are a little too obvious. It’s almost like he wanted me to find him. Maybe he just wants the confrontation. I don't know, but I'm ready to take care of this because I'm already missing Olivia like crazy.
I've got my pistol and plenty of knives strapped to me as I make my way into the seedy-looking neighborhood this fucker lives in. I don't see any sign of security at his address, and the door is unlocked, which sets my senses on high alert. Somehow before I ever step foot into the space, I already know he won't be there. A quick sweep of the space confirms my suspicions. My heart is already hammering in dread when I find a hastily scrawled piece of paper taped to the inside of the door.
You took my brother from me. I'm going to take the only person you care about from you.
My vision goes red, and my chest tightens before a roar that sounds inhuman even to my own ears bursts up out of me. Olivia! Fuck, he’s going after Olivia. It’s the culmination of all my worst fears.
Fuck! This was all a trap to get Olivia alone. I’ve been so wrapped in Olivia I became lax in my watch of Dennings. I thought he was just after me. I was hoping he didn’t even know about her. I should have known better. I should have known he’d try to hit me where he knew it would hurt the most.
I take off speeding down the highway to Olivia’s parents’ place. I already know how flimsy Carson’s security is. It was a joke for me to get by. It’ll be an easy hack for anyone who’s been in the pen before, and I know Dennings has. Carson’s security is a joke.
I'm beating myself up for not having his number so I can call him and warn him. Olivia doesn't have a phone on her either.
“Fuck!” I scream again as I pound the steering wheel.
The street is completely dark when I get back to the Carsons’ place. A quick survey of the perimeter shows me that someone has already disabled the security system. Panic grips me as I make my way toward the back door, desperately praying that I find Olivia and her parents unharmed.
The house is quiet, which could be a good sign or a bad one. I immediately hasten toward Olivia's room. There are no lights on in the house at all except for a few softly burning lamps that the family always keeps on.
I’m hoping everyone is asleep and that Dennings isn’t here yet. I'm going to get Olivia and take her someplace safe. I’ll alert Carson to the situation so he can protect himself and his wife.
My heart about bursts out of my chest whenever I reach the top of the stairway and turn toward Olivia's door. It’s halfway open, and I see a figure looming closer to her.
I react on instinct, barreling through the door and throwing myself at the man. I knock him off balance, and we tumble to the floor, fists flying as we fight like rabid animals.
Olivia scurries up and turns on the bedside lamp, screaming when she sees the commotion going on in her floor. I vaguely hear footsteps pounding up the steps, and then Carson is there at her door.
I’m pleased to see that the man jumps into action, running straight to Olivia. He tries to usher her from the room, but my stubborn little Olivia is resisting him.
“No, Dad!” she screams. “I can't leave Ajax!”
I see the knife glinting in the other man's hand as he tries to stab it into me.
Olivia’s scream distracts me, and I glance over at her to make sure she’s okay. A hiss out a breath as I feel the knife slice into my shoulder.
“Olivia, go!” I yell at her as Dennings succeeds in pulling a gun out of his pocket. He starts lifting it, pointing it right at my chest, and the only thought in my head is what's going to happen to Olivia if this man blows me to smithereens.
Before I can even lunge at him to try to wrestle the gun from him, a deafening pop sounds out in the room.
Dennings’ eyes go wide, and his gun clatters to the floor, followed swiftly by his body, blood pooling in the center of his chest.
I turn to see Carson holding a smoking gun. Olivia comes running straight for me, flinging herself into my arms and sobbing wildly.
I clutch her to me tightly and stroke my fingers through her hair, soothing myself as much as her, relieved that she wasn't harmed.
“Oh my god, Ajax! He almost killed you!” She's hysterical, but I hold her close, speaking softly to her to calm her down.
“It's okay, honey. I'm fine. Nothing will ever take me away from you, my sweet girl. I'm so sorry. So sorry.” I kiss her forehead, and she tightens her arms around me.
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” she sniffles. “This isn't your fault.”
My throat is tight as I hug her to me again, probably too hard, but the thought of losing her fills me with fear. “If it hadn’t been for me, he wouldn’t have come after you at all, Olivia.”
Olivia is already shaking her head in protest.
