The Assassin's Redemption

Chapter 2: Bittersweet Regrets

Jaxon

I never expected to see her again, especially in such dire circumstances. Striding up the stairs, I lead Maleah to my bedroom and open the door. She looks so beautiful and sad that I have to tuck my hands into my pockets to keep from touching her. The woman has always been a temptation, and it’s even more blatant when she’s dressed like every man’s wet dream. I can’t take my eyes off her long legs, cut-off jeans, and a flimsy top that outlines her firm breasts.

I watch intently as she sets down her bag on the bed and sits at the edge. I might as well not exist by the way she’s ignoring my presence. Entranced, I watch as she slides her fingers through her lush hair. Her eyes are at half-mast as she checks the bandage on her knee.

Scotty’s warm greeting surprised me. I didn’t think he knew her. And when he brought up Hunter, my heart stuttered. It was only when I saw the pained expression on Maleah’s face that I snapped back to reality. Clearing my throat, I gesture to the en-suite bathroom and armoire. “There are fresh towels and toiletries in the cabinet. You can also find comfortable t-shirts inside the dresser. Take whatever you need.”

Maleah’s caramel-colored eyes gaze into mine timidly before she nods. I don’t know why I ask. I know that it’s not the right time, but the words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. “Did you ever tell Hunter about us?”

It’s as if all of the air leaves the room. Maleah’s eyes harden at my words, and her lips tighten with rage. I remember she was always easy to rile, which would have been threatening to another man, but I found it very sexy. Maleah’s a very passionate woman, and it shows in her every action. Maintaining my ground, I watch expectantly as she straightens her spine and approaches me. “And what should I have told him? Hey, Hunter, you know your boss, Jaxon Maxwell? Well, nearly a year before we met, he and I had a whirlwind relationship until one morning he up and disappeared, leaving me heartbroken. Was that what I was supposed to tell him? Or maybe I should have told him about how we f****d in every corner of your hotel room?”

My heart aches at her words. She doesn’t deserve this. Not when I’m the one at fault. “I’m sorry,” I mutter repentantly.

I don’t know how to explain to her what occurred the day I walked out the door. It’s too late to apologize, but that’s all I have to give. Maleah’s lips tighten into a tight line as she crosses her arms in front of her chest and gives me a heated glare. “You’re sorry?” She utters incredulously. “Are you telling me that after two years, all you can say is sorry?”

Lifting her palm up in surrender, she shakes her head and scoffs. “You know what? It doesn't matter. This…” She waves her hands between our chests. “This is ancient history. We’re ancient history. And even though you shattered me, I was able to pick up the pieces and move on, thanks to Hunter. I fell in love with him, and he loved me.”

My body flinches at her impassioned words as jealousy threatens to overwhelm me. I’ll never forget the day Maleah and Hunter walked into my office to sign their relationship disclosure. I was stunned. Weeks before, Hunter had called me asking for a contract because he had fallen in love. Not giving it a thought, I had Scotty draw up the contract. I never even looked at the name because Scotty would have told me if there were any red flags. I was genuinely happy for Hunter until I saw who the woman in question was. And I’m sure Maleah was as stunned to see me as I was to see her.

Up to that day, I had hoped that I would see her again. And even though I did, the little part of my heart that yearned for us to be together again died that day. And it’s all my fault. I couldn’t fault Hunter for taking what I wanted most. Because he was definitely the better man.

But the rational part of my mind is not reasonable at this point. All it wants to do is lash out over the unfairness of it all. “Did you love Hunter? Or was it that you were settling?” I gruff out angrily.

Maleah’s face twists into an incredulous frown. “What the hell do you mean by that? Hunter was the man I loved. He was kind, sweet, and giving. And he loved me with all of his heart.”

My lip curls with derision at her impassioned words. “I have no doubt that Hunter loved you, but did you love him? Because I’m standing here listening to you tell me how much Hunter loved you and how great he was, but it all seems so superficial considering a year before that you told me you loved me.”

I want to take the words back the instant they leave my lips. It’s unfair to hurt her because I’m hurt. Maleah stumbles back on her feet as if I slapped her in the face. Her eyes blurring and her lips trembling. “Why would you say that to me, Jaxon?”

Guilt-ridden, I close the gap between us and reach for her hand. Maleah slaps my hand away and slams her palm against my chest with an impassioned cry. “I loved you, Jaxon. And until the day you left, I thought you…I thought you felt the same way. You blindsided me, and now you want to diminish my feelings for Hunter. What have I ever done to make you hurt me this way?” She cries mournfully.

Unable to take another moment of her tears, I pull her into my embrace. She stands stiffly in the circle of my arms, but she doesn’t resist. Pulling her closer, I inhale the sweet scent of her silken hair. Oh, how I’ve missed this. It’s like coming home. “I’m sorry, Maleah. I’m the wrong one. You’ve never been anything but perfect, and Hunter was a fortunate man to have you. It was my loss.” Maleah clings to my shoulders weakly before she pulls away. “I can’t do this with you, Jaxon. I can’t go through this again. Right now, all I can deal with is what happened earlier.”

My throat tightens at her dejected tone. Coursing my fingers through her hair, I lift her face to mine and lean my forehead against hers. It’s time, to be honest. Even if she still hates me after this, at least I can finally put all of my demons to rest. “Maleah, I─”

“Jaxon!” Scotty’s voice echoes from the other side of the door. Maleah and I jump apart and turn to face the door as soon as Scotty strides in.

His eyes narrow in question, but before he can ask, I interrupt. “What is it, Scotty?”

He gives us both a furtive look before he hands me his tablet. “I found the information ye wanted, and it’s not good. The man that Maleah saw murdered was Emmanuel Martez, son of─”

“The goddamn mafia boss, Rolando Martez. f**k! Are you sure?” I ask as alarm reverberates through my body.

Scotty nods. “There’s no doubt about it, lad. The police fished him out of the ocean and identified him earlier.”

Maleah and I lean close as Scotty presents us with the information he found. “Yeah, that’s the man. And the man next to him is the one that killed him.”

Scotty’s eyes grow grimmer. “Unfortunately, if that’s the case, this tale has gotten a wee bit worse.”

“What do you mean worse?” Maleah asks with a hint of panic in her tone.

Scotty’s lips tighten. “This man…” He points to the picture. “The man you are saying killed Emmanuel Martez is none other than Rolando Martez’s right-hand man, Victor Alonzo. Over the past year, Martez has been warring with Miami’s crime boss, Carlos Lara. Alonzo is more than likely banking on Rolando, blaming Carlos for his son’s death and seeking retribution. This would be an all-out war between the two. I ken that Victor is hoping they’ll kill each other and be done with it. It’s a good plan if ye think about it. While Carlos and Rolando are at war, Victor can step in and take over.”

Maleah frowns. “Okay, so what does that mean?”

Scotty and I gaze at each other, thinking through our response. Scotty clears his throat and shuffles uncomfortably in place. “Why don’t ye tell her, laddie.” He mutters nervously.

The damn coward is bowing out.

Giving him my best glare, I rub my finger against my bottom lip and reply. “What this means is that you’ve accidentally stepped into the middle of a coup involving three very powerful and very dangerous men.”

Sliding my fingers through my hair, I take a deep breath and consider our next steps. “We need to get you back to New York,” I mutter distractedly.

Maleah nods in relief, but Scotty is not so optimistic. “We can’t risk sending her back. Victor, Carlos, and Rolando are all looking for her now. Each man wants an answer, and none of them will be too kind in askin’ if ye ken my meaning. All roads, trains, buses, and plains are being closely monitored. The moment Maleah shows up, they will take her.”

My heart shatters at the thought of Maleah being hurt by these men. “Okay then, I’ll have to talk to Carlos Lara and see if he is willing to help us get Victor. Do we have any men on our payroll that work there? Or know anyone in the Lara family?”

Scotty shakes his head. “Unfortunately, no. The last man we sent was found dead several years ago.”

Maleah’s face pales with every word. Taking a step back, she crosses her arms in front of her chest and lets out a disheartened sigh. “What am I going to do?”

Reaching forward, I place both hands on her forearms and look into her misty eyes. “We’re going to protect you, Maleah. We just need─”

The lights in the house begin to blink on and off at that moment, followed by the vibrating sound of my alarm. Scotty and I snap to attention and move towards the security monitor mounted on my bedroom wall. The security cameras instantly identify several shadows moving along my driveway. The sensors picked up their movement as soon as they stepped through my gates. “Someone has breached the perimeter of the house.”

I enhance the picture and see several men carrying guns as they move closer to the house. “How is that possible? No one followed us.”

Turning around, we both look at a panicked Maleah. Then a thought strikes me. “Where’s your phone, Maleah?” Maleah reaches for her phone and hands it to me. The screen is cracked, and the case is ripped. “It’s broken. I tried to turn it on, but it doesn’t work.”

Scotty and I look at each other. Swearing under my breath, I turn the phone over in my hand.

“It’s fine; Connor and I disconnected the GPS earlier. It has to be something else,” Scotty mutters, confused.

Searching through her purse, I take out some of her things until I find her room card. Scotty’s face flushes to match his fiery beard. “Blast, noo jist haud on! I’m off my head to have forgotten that. I shoulda known they’d have traced ye through the card’s chip.”

Maleah pats his broad shoulder with a sympathetic shake. “It’s okay, Scotty. I should have left the damn card behind. I’m so stupid, and now we’re in trouble.”

Taking command, I grip Maleah’s hand and nudge my chin for Scotty to follow. “There’s no use in beating ourselves up over this. Let’s go.” Maleah follows behind me, her face pale and forlorn. Once we reach the kitchen, I gesture to the pantry. “They'll be inside the house within minutes. Take Maleah to the underground hatch and load the Rover up with weapons.”

Scotty nods his head and takes Maleah by the hand, but she won’t go. “No, we can’t leave you.” She frantically cries out. Scotty’s eyes narrow further as he pulls her to the door.

“It’s fine, Maleah; I’ll be right behind you,” I call out with a reassuring tone. Maleah deflates, her eyes going dim as she reluctantly lets Scotty usher her away. I can tell by the expression on her face that she doesn’t believe me. Unfortunately, her mistrust is my fault, considering the last time I said I’d be back, I disappeared.

Turning back to the living room, I amp up my security, reach for my gun, and wait for the men to arrive. There are traps spread throughout the grounds and inside of the house set to disable any intruders. Nothing dangerous, but very inconvenient to those who try. For example, when shattered, the windows will activate a glue-like substance that will expand and trap an intruder inside of them. The more they move, the harder it holds them. Of course, I have fail-safes for all of the traps, but they don’t know that. For now, I’m just giving Scotty and Maleah time to make it to the hatch.

A smile curves my lips when I hear a pained cry escape one of the men, followed by several cuss words. The front door bursts open a moment later, followed by more screams. Two men writhe on the ground, moaning in pain, but one manages to make it in. The smell of tear gas permeates the air, but it’s too weak to affect me. A man rushes through the door, weapon ready, and falls lifelessly onto the floor when I shoot him in the chest. Another one follows him in, ducks away, then rushes toward me. But before he can reach me, I run to the wall, use the momentum, flip up and kick him in the head. The man falls to the floor, lifeless. A shot rings out near my ear, followed by another. Two men approach on either side of me, ready to attack. Aiming my gun, I shoot one in the leg and kick the other one in the chest. The man points his weapon again, but I take the gun’s muzzle and aim it at his partner. The other man flies back from the impact of the bullet and slides to the ground. Ripping the gun from the man’s hand, I butt him in the head with the gun and shoot him in the chest.

Another cry resounds from the top of the stairs, warning me that the place is about to be overrun. Turning back to the kitchen, I place my hand on a hidden dial pad and open the cellar door. This is not an ordinary cellar, though. This is an underground garage that I had built years ago in case I was ever attacked. The bunker is built to withstand a bomb and has an underground parking terminal that leads to an exit on the other side of the mountain. The floors gleam with a metallic sheen, and the overhead halogen lights are bright. Weapons are adorning all of the walls, and several vehicles are stationed inside.

Once I’m inside the bunker, I lock the door and set a timer. I’ve placed explosives around the property to set off in five minutes. As soon as it goes off, the entire house and the grounds will be destroyed, but the garage will remain intact. Maleah’s frantic shout reaches my ears. “I’m not going anywhere, Scotty! We can’t leave Jaxon!”

Scotty groans with frustration and tries to push her into the back seat of my Land Rover, but she’s persistent. “There’s nothing we can do, lass; we’d only be in the way!”

Maleah struggles against his hold, pushing at the car’s door with all of her strength. It would be almost comedic if the situation weren't so dire. Striding forward, I lift Maleah into my arms and toss her into the seat. “We have to go─ now!” I yell out. Maleah blows a strand of hair from her face and scowls. Before she can chew me out, I close the door, grab my Ruger rifle, and slip into the front passenger seat. “Drive, Scotty!”

Not needing any more encouragement, Scotty starts the ignition and pushes down on the gas. The Land Rover takes off instantly. It takes us a minute to exit the garage and another moment for the house to go up in flames.

A gasp escapes Maleah’s lips as she glances behind her and sees the destruction. “Oh my god, your house!”

I shrug a shoulder in reply as I gaze around the darkened road vigilantly. “It’s fine. I have other houses. And the garage is protected, so not everything is lost.”

A shot rings out in the distance dinging against the car’s hood, followed by another. Maleah cries out, but I don’t have time to mollify her. Loading my rifle, I open the window and aim towards the vehicle shooting at us. Several shots wheeze by, but I manage to duck them and fire my own. The rattle of bullets hits the bulletproof veneer of the car and bounces off like rubber balls. Aiming my rifle, I focus on the vehicle’s light and shoot the tires. The car sputters and swerves as the tires flattened.

The sound of screeching tires and metal follows as the car turns over and veers off the road. Sliding back into the safety of the Rover, I check my ammo. That’s when I hear the desperate mewl coming from the back seat. Scotty looks back with concern as Maleah holds her palms against her ears, rocks back and forth, and lets out pitiful cries. She looks like she’s in a trance. Her face is as white as a sheet, and her eyes are as wide as saucers.

“Maleah,” I mutter softly, but she’s unresponsive.

“What’s wrong with her?” I ask a wide-eyed Scotty.

“Ah, dinna ken. She just began wailing like a banshee when the shots began. I think her head's minced.”

Swallowing hard, I gaze back in horror when the realization sets in. “f**k! She and Hunter were on their way home when Casper and Smiley shot up the car. She saw Hunter die. I remember reading it in the report.”

Scotty’s face pales further. “Ach, the poor lass.”

Settling my gun down, I jump into the back seat and pull a whimpering Maleah into my arms. Her body is trembling, her lips are chattering, and she’s panting. Pulling her close, I rub my hands up and down her body.

She’s as cold as ice, definitely in shock. “Maleah, listen to me,” I whisper firmly as I place my hands on her cold neck. Her eyes are glazed as she looks through me.

“It’s okay, Maleah, the Rover is bulletproof. No one is going to hurt you here. They’re gone.”

Her eyes clear as my voice comes into focus. “Hunter.” She whimpers out as tears rain down her face. “He’s dead. Hunter’s dead. Those men shot him.” She hiccups out. “There was so much blood.”

Holding her close, I grit my teeth and listen as the woman I love mourns her dead lover.

Her body heaves as the tears expel from her body, and her arms cling to my shoulders tightly. “It’s okay, Mal. I’m here.”

There have only been a handful of times where I’ve felt this helpless, and most of those times have come about because of this woman.

Leaning forward, I place a kiss on the top of her head and make soothing sounds.

“Jaxon.” She mutters brokenly. “I can’t watch you die too. I can’t.”

My body stiffens at her distraught confession. I’m sure she hasn’t realized what she’s saying. But at the sound of her soft plea, a kernel of hope flares to life inside of my chest.