Stitch by Jaime Lewis (ebook reader online .txt) 📗

his mind. He wanted her so bad. Instantly, he was changing his mind. Even if she was involved, he was going to keep her. She would be punished for undermining him, but in the end, she would be his.

He looked at Claus. “Let’s do this and then get the fuck out of here.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Terek sensed the presence behind him right before he heard the swoosh sound of the bullet being fired. Luckily he had fast reflexes, and had been able to duck and take cover behind his car before his head got blown off. He felt the burn on his upper arm and winced. Blood oozed from the wound, but not enough to immobilize him. He had his gun pulled and ready to counter the attack. He waited and listened but heard nothing. A few moments passed when a voice echoed in the air.

“Did you hit him?”

“I don’t know.”

“Go check. Demitri said to make sure he can’t talk.”

“Why the fuck do I have to go?” The guy complained. Terek wanted to call the guy a pussy.

“Because I said so. Now go. Demitri said once the hit is done to let Elijah know.”

“I thought he and Claus were heading out of the country.”

“They are, after Elijah ties up some loose ends in Virginia. Now go fucking make sure that dude is dead.”

Shit! Elijah was going after Mia. He needed to warn Detective McDonnell.

He heard footsteps approach the rear of the vehicle and moved into position. As soon as the guy rounded the rear bumper and was in Terek’s eyesight, he didn’t hesitate and fired off two bullets into the guy's chest. The guy jerked before falling to the ground, motionless. He heard another set of footsteps running. He readied himself for another attack, but instead heard a car door slam followed by tires squealing. He poked his head around the back of the vehicle and saw a small SUV racing away from the scene. He took a deep breath then got into his car. His arm hurt like a bitch. He pushed aside the pain. He’d had worse injuries in his days as a Green Beret. He put the car in drive and raced out of the city. He wasn’t stopping until he got to Virginia Beach. He pulled his phone out to call his supervisor to report that his cover had been blown, and to call Detective McDonnell; however, all he kept getting was a busy signal. It was like his phone was jammed.

Chapter Twenty-Three

It was a quiet ride back up the mountains. It was like a damn convoy coming up the mountain. Stitch and Mia rode with Ace and Alex, while  Potter, Tenley, Frost, Autumn, Irish, and Bailey all followed in their vehicles. Potter had wanted Tenley to stay behind because of her condition; however, she was adamant that she was going, come hell or high water.

Diego, Skittles, and Dino stayed behind to keep an eye on things in town. Derek and Juliet, with help from Tink, were keeping an eye on all the kiddos back home. Stitch had told everyone to stay in town and not get involved, but just as he suspected, not one of them budged, making comments that they were a team and would fight as one. Moments like that were why he loved his brothers in arms. Even off the battlegrounds, his team stuck together as one force to be reckoned with.

Stitch looked down at Mia who was sound asleep with her head in his lap. He couldn’t stop running his fingers through her silky, raven-colored hair. The image of her with that haunted look on her face plagued him. He was familiar with flashbacks and how they could wreak havoc on a person, but he prayed he would never have to see that look again on her beautiful face for as long as he lived. It was heart-wrenching to watch when there was nothing he could do.

There were so many people milling around the area where Mia was, so it was hard to say who could’ve been wearing the cologne that Mia had smelled. Before they left, Paul said that he would pull videos from the cameras and see if he noticed anything. Derek and Tink were in contact with Detective McDonnell. According to McDonnell, the case was being turned over to the Feds because of the legalities involved. They were closing in on Dr. Walters as a suspect of a huge puppy trafficking operation that now expanded to other states. He hadn’t told Mia that part yet.

Ace glanced at him in the mirror as he drove. Stitch knew Ace was worried about Mia. He’d been quiet since they got Mia into the car and started making the trek up the mountain. Alex had tried to make small talk, but she had given up when it was apparent Ace wasn’t in the mood for conversation.

Once they arrived at the cabin, Stitch carried Mia straight up to the bedroom and tucked her into bed. She was out cold.  With all the excitement and sudden movements, she had overdone it a little, and both Ace and Stitch thought it was best that she take a pain pill, which meant she wouldn’t be waking up any time soon.

As he walked out of the bedroom, he almost collided with Ace.

“You okay?” Stitch asked, knowing it was a stupid question because he knew his friend was anything but okay.  He could see the turmoil etched in Ace’s expressions. The only other time he’d seen Ace this torn up was when Alex had been rescued and was fighting for her life.

Ace appeared to think before he spoke.  “I don’t think I ever want to see that look of fear on my sister’s face again.” Ace glanced over Stitch’s shoulder into the bedroom. “I know she’s asleep, but I just need to see she is okay.”

“Go on in.” The last thing Stitch wanted to do was stand in between Ace and his sister. Especially at a