I stand outside the agency, waiting for whoever’s my tail today. I’m casual -- I figured I didn’t need to be professional for this. I glance at my phone, checking the time, debating leaving and suffering the consequences. Before I can pull the trigger, I hear the purr of a large black truck pulling up to the curve. I can’t see through the tint, but the passenger window rolls down, and I thank the heavens it’s Sparky.
“Thank fuck, it’s you. Guess your boss took the hint,” I say as I lift myself up to the passenger side and buckle myself in. Sparky speeds through the street to the highway, like a man on a mission.
“I’m not sure he actually took a hint,” Sparky comments as he drives, keeping his focus on the road.
“What do you mean?” I raise an eyebrow at him. I’ve been good. Other than the call at the hospital, I haven’t thought about Jackson as much. I’m starting to accept fate and move on, but maybe I’ve spoken too soon -- something stirs in the back of the truck.
“He means, he’s going to pull over and I’ll drive,” a haunting voice says. A chill rushes through my body. I keep staring straight out the window, not wanting to look into Jackson’s eyes. The truck starts to veer over onto the side of the road, and I start to plot my escape route. I could walk on the highway, maybe hitch a ride.
We park on the shoulder while Greer and Jackson swap seats. I quickly unbuckle my seatbelt and grab the door handle. I can’t open it. I continuously pull on it.Fuck.Plan B, initiate. I go to move into the driver seat but I’m met with arctic blue eyes of the man destined to break me into pieces again.
“Going somewhere, Little Cub?”
Words, you idiot. Say something. Anything.I’m speechless and I just shake my head.
“Then I suggest you crawl back into that seat like a good girl and buckle up,” he commands, growling as he does.
My pussy throbs at his praise.Fuck. Down, girl.
Jackson sits down, slamming the door and veering back into traffic. I comply with his demand for my safety, but I’m not happy about it. He eases into driving, and I don’t have the slightest idea where we’re going. I stay quiet, but not for long. Somehow Jackson’s snaked his hand onto my thigh and I shiver.Bad Tessa.I slap it away.
“Do you mind?” I let out.
“I do when you’re tempting,” he responds, the cat like grin on his face.
“You’d do well to avoid temptations. I’ve made myself perfectly clear,” I bite back. I remind myself I have a singular mission: to avenge Jeremiah and protect my community.
“I’ve made myself perfectly clear as well. I’m not giving up.” There’s seriousness in this voice. My mind wonders back to that day, when I thought I heard him say that exact sentiment. I thought it was my mind playing tricks, hoping that the villain was really a hero.
“Jackson, just admit defeat and move on. I have.” The lies taste like vinegar.
“Darlin’, you can keep lying to yourself, but I won’t.” He places his hand back on my thigh and I tense up.This is nothing; this means nothing to me.
“If the truth was told earlier, we wouldn’t be in this situation,” I mumble under my breath, resulting in a squeeze of my thigh. There is a snicker from the back.
“You know, you’re on my shit list, Sparky.” I glance behind me, glaring at Greer, pushing his long spring red hair out of his eyes. He spots mid track. “Do you mind telling me where I’m going? I need to know if I should text Britt about planning my funeral.”
He just shrugs. “You’ll see when we get there.”
Great.“Where we are going, did I need to update my will or something?” I sneer out.
“Darlin’, not even death would stop me. I’d follow you and bring you back.”
I roll my eyes at Jackson’s intrusion. “Funny, heaven doesn’t allow demons.”
“Even Lucifer was an angel once.” He smirks at me. Smug bastard.
It’s a long car ride, but I see signs for Wilmington. I haven’t been there in a long time, but I have a hunch of where we are going now. Darkness is broken by lights as we enter through a massive gate, crowned with barbed wires and a blockade of postings, signs readingdanger,hazard. All that’s missing is “I’d turn back if I was you.”
Jackson parks the truck once we’re next to the fence and signals me to get out. “Greer, stay here: watch and if anything happens you know what you need to do. If anything goes wrong, call.” Greer nods and pats his hip, which I imagine is holstering his weapon.
Jackson turns to me. “Darlin’, follow behind me, and if you run..” he starts, licking his lips. “Well, you know I don’t mind the chase.”
I shove past him. “Never again.”
He chuckles darkly. “I hear a challenge.”
“Whatever gets you off at night.” I walk towards the fence, watching as Jackson pops the lock and gestures to me to move along.