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I pounded a few more blows to his ribs. He bent over, gasping for air. I picked him back up, slamming him against another wall behind him. I held up his lax body, shoving him harder against it.
He chuckled. “You can’t kill me, and you know it. If you did, you’d make more enemies for yourself. I’m untouchable, Jace. It’s what makes me your fucking boss.”
“Listen to me because I’m only going to say it once, motherfucker.” He shoved him into the wall. “Are you listening?”
He weakly nodded.
“I’m done.”
His gaze amplified.
“Do you hear me? I’m fucking done. This is the last time I will ever see your face. You don’t look for me. You don’t ask about me. I don’t exist to you or anyone like you anymore.”
“You need me.”
“I don’t need shit. I got what I wanted.”
“So what? You’re going to give it all up for nineteen-year-old pussy?”
I pistol-whipped him, holding him up again.
“If you ever come near me, her, or my family, I swear to God, I’ll kill you and anyone who matters to you. I don’t care what wars I start. You know what I’m capable of. Fuck around and find out. Do you understand me? Am I making myself crystal fucking clear?”
“You’ll be back. They always come back.”
I let him go and he crumpled to the ground.
“That’s where you’re wrong. I have everything I ever wanted now. I’ve been wanting to be done with you, and the stunt you pulled today fucking proved it.” I kicked him in the stomach. “I don’t need to kill you to hurt you, William. Me walking away is enough.”
With that, I turned and left.
As much as I wanted to put a bullet in his head, death was too good for him. Instead, I walked out there confidently knowing this part of my life was over and now I could focus on a future I didn’t think I could have.
All because of my…
Perfect Enemy.
Thirty-One
Jace
The following morning, Haven shouted, “Jace!” running down the parking lot to the hospital entrance, where I was waiting for her and my father.
I wasn’t surprised that Hayes was with her too.
She jumped into my arms, and I hugged her close to my chest.
“Has Cove woken up yet?”
I pulled away, shaking my head.
“What are the doctors saying?”
“Soon.” I hugged my dad and shook Hayes’s hand.
“But she’s going to be okay, right?”
“She’s going to be fine.”
“Oh my God, Jace. How did you find her so quickly?”
“Come on. Let’s go to Cove’s room, so you can see her.”
As soon as Haven saw her, she burst into tears. I appreciated that Hayes was there for her. I didn’t have it in me to comfort anyone else right now. The staff was kind enough to move Cove to a bigger, private room with a couch I could sleep on, so I spent the night at the hospital. I went back to the safe house to wash up and change my clothes, but I wasn’t there for very long.
I needed to get back to my girl.
After Haven had a minor meltdown, she asked me again, “How did you find her?”
I eyed Hayes, and he quickly caught on.
“I’m going to head to the cafeteria and get you guys some coffee.” He kissed Haven’s head and left, closing the door behind him.
Dad coaxed, “You’re scaring me, Jace. What’s going on?”
“You both need to sit down.”
They did in the chairs right in front of me.
“I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just going to come out and say it. For the last ten years, I’ve done a lot of things I’m not proud of.”
“Like in the Navy?” Haven asked.
“No.”
“I don’t understand.”
“To make a really long story short, I lost a really close friend of mine, and it was right after Mom died. I was lost and one thing led to another, and a couple of months later, I lost someone else who mattered a lot to me. They both died in my arms.”
Haven breathed out, “Oh my God. Why didn’t you ever say anything?”
“I don’t know. Now looking at it from another perspective, I wish I would have.”
Dad asked, “What were you involved in, Jace?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m not in it anymore, and I’ve wanted to get out for a while.”
“What does Cove have to do with this?”
“There are a lot of blanks I can’t fill in for either of you. Just know that Cove is safe now and so am I.”
They looked at each other for a second.
“I love you both very much. Please know that I wouldn’t ever put your life in danger.”
“Does Cove know what happened?”
“Somewhat.”
“Does she know who took her?” Haven pleaded with her eyes. “Can we find them?”
I sighed, sharing, “I took her.”
They jerked back, caught off guard.
“I was trying to keep her safe.”
“Jace, none of this makes any sense.”
