A/N: Well well cats and kittens it's about that time. What?! Another update already?! Could it be simply because you all are the absolute ultimate? Why yes, yes it is. That, and because I had the inspiration and ran with it. ;)
... And I also may have accidentally downed a triple shot of espresso around 10:30 last night.
What ever happened to just a good ole' fashioned cuppa' joe?
I dunno, maybe our girls do.
This is the last one and then an epilogue, which I'll be posting later today.
Thank you as always for just coming along on this little journey with me, I hope you've enjoyed the ride (and boy are you in for one hell of a ride in this last one); and a big thank you for following, favoriting, and reviewing as well.
I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 9
I awoke from a dreamless sleep. Damn, a girl really could get used to this. The times Lauren shared my bed I actually slept a peaceful sleep, the kind of sleep you get before you've seen a thing or two in this world.
I stretched my limbs and rolled to my side, my hand reaching out, but finding nothing. I opened my eyes, the sheets had been carefully tucked around me, and to my surprise there was a note pinned to the vacant pillow beside my head.
I grinned to myself at the adoring gesture, recognizing the elegant scroll; however my sweet, strange blissful bubble was popped just as quickly as it formed.
I know you said to trust you, and I do.
With all my heart, and my life.
But please, just try and trust me with yours.
I'll see you soon my darling.
I felt the hair prickle on the back of my neck. Damn it Lauren. I'd told her to trust me. I was gonna get us out. I had been up half the night thinking of a plan. Don't suppose that matter much anymore though.
I dressed quickly, throwing on fresh cloths, noting that my room was far tidier than I had left it, no doubt courtesy of a certain blonde. I burst through my closed bedroom door still hitching up my pants. Kenzi was sitting on her bed, which was pulled out and to no surprise unmade, even though she was already dressed to the nines for the day.
"Kenz, how long since Lauren left?"
The girl had startled when I slammed open my door, dropping the paper she had been reading.
"BoBo! You're up! Doc's got a steady hand, but I guess you know that!" She laughed. "She stitched ya' up real good, how ya' feelin'?" She smiled getting to her feet.
"Right as rain Kenz, now tell me how long ago did she leave?" I didn't have time for idle chitchat.
Kenzi looked down at her blank wrist as if examining an invisible wristwatch.
"Dunno hon, maybe around a half hour ago?"
"Didn't happen to mention where she was going did she?" I asked eagerly brushing past my oldest and dearest friend.
"What am I your secretary?" Kenzi snorted. "Oh. Wait…" She shrugged. I would have laughed had it been any other time, any other scenario. "Not much of a talker that one, just said she had something to tend to, said she'd be back to check in on you later though." She looked up at me with those fiery blue inquiring eyes as I grabbed my shoes and cringed slightly as I sat momentarily, painfully bending to slip them on before springing to my feet yet again.
"What's going on, you look like you're about to snap your cap?"
I shook my head and grabbed my coat from the rack, throwing it over my shoulders and tugging the belt so tight my ribs shrieked in protest.
"Listen Bo, you're not healed yet, why don't you get back to bed? I'll bring you a little somethin' somethin' for the pain." She winked.
"Lauren's in trouble Kenz."
Kenzi reached out to stop me as I moved quickly toward the front door.
"Lauren's a big girl, she can take care of herself."
"That's what I'm afraid of Kenz."
I shook her off as she grabbed at my shoulder, and I burst through the door, slamming it shut behind me, ignoring Kenzi's calls of protest. I rushed down to my car, clutching my side, pain searing through me as I ran.
I reached good ole' trusty and rusty and jumped in, speeding off down the road, not bothering to wait and let it heat up first, despite the morning chill, and the engines protesting groans.
I didn't know what Lauren was about to do, or had already done, but I did know Lachlan meant business and not the kind of business I wanted Lauren caught even further in the middle of. The only peace of my I had was that I didn't think he'd kill his headlining act, 'specially since he was so keen on keeping her there.
What would she do? Would she propose a trade? Her contract for the coin?
I didn't think she had a gun. Shit. Where the hell was my gun? I'd left in such a fuss I didn't even bother to look for it.
I searched my inside pockets. Empty. I imagined Lachlan musta' taken it when his goon was done working me over. I didn't like goin' into this unarmed, but it was too late for that now.
I was driving like a mad woman, skidding down streets, running lights, I didn't care. I needed to get to Lauren before she did something stupid; I just hopped I wasn't too late.
My stomach churned as I contemplated Lauren's other possible moves, suppose she was armed, trying to go in and demand her freedom from Lachlan. I didn't like that scenario any more than the first one. Lachlan's muscle wasn't fit to be tied, 'specially not by someone like Lauren. She was a healer, she was smart, I'd wager the roof over my head she'd never been in a brawl, or any sort of altercation outside of her ex.
Just thinking of anyone laying a hand on her made me grip the wheel even tighter, my knuckles so white you could almost see clear through to the bone. I jerked down the street the Nighthawk sat on, my wheels skidding on the ice as my car slid across the slick pavement. I shifted just in time to keep my car from slamming into a lamppost, tires squealing lightly, the warm rubber burning through the top layer of ice, the noxious smell filling my nostrils.
A minute later my car came to a screeching halt in front of the club. Even in the early morning light the dazzling neon sign was turned on, flashing its mesmeric inert gas glow, emitting a low hum as I slammed my door and rushed toward the entrance.
It was still too early for the staff to be here, so I had an open shot to the door, no one would be around to stop me. Damn. Locked. I tugged on the heavy doors, but they wouldn't budge.
I ran to the side entrance, and found it open a crack. Someone had come in in a hurry and forgotten to pull it shut completely behind them, letting the thick gusts of wind tunneling through the alley open and close it at its will.
I pushed through and rushed down the long hallway that housed the dressing rooms and offices; Pausing briefly next to Lauren's; praying that she had changed her mind and gone in there to cool off. No such luck, Lauren was nowhere to be seen. I heaved a heavy sigh, looking down toward my cracked ribs, I had to catch my breath, it was getting harder and harder to breathe. I rolled my shirt up to survey the damage; see a large black and blue bruise forming on my left side. Well that can't be good. I dropped my shirt a moment later when I heard muffled voices coming from further down the hall.
I gritted my teeth as I rushed to the closed office door where I could hear a man and a woman's voice debating heatedly on the opposite side.
I glanced around. No guards. That was odd. I'd a' figured a fella like Lachlan woulda' had one of his monkeys on 'im at all times. Maybe big red.
Without even giving another thought I threw the office door open.
Inside stood Lachlan, behind his desk in a freshly pressed black suit, and crisp purple shirt. His arms were at his sides but there was a custom Colt Revolver in front of him on the desk, just within reach of his fingertips. The polished barrel gleamed in the office light, a soft shimmer almost floating across the mother of pearl grip.
I focused my attention to the figure in front of me. A blonde in a white velvet flare coat. The collar was popped up high to protect the wearer from the bitter cold, and the wasp waist clinging perfectly to a delicate feminine form. Even now, though I'm ashamed to admit it I had to drink her in, my eyes appreciating whose long, toned gams, covered in a thin, sheer silk. I then noticed the slumped form of my ginger pal, laying motionless, out cold only a foot away from her.
Maybe I underestimated her.
"It appears we have company." Lachlan spoke in an amused tone.
The blonde turned slightly to glance behind her shoulder, and it was then that I noticed the .44 pistol, my .44 pistol, in her right hand pointed directly at Lachlan.
Lauren's stare was deadly. It was a look I'd never seen on the woman before, but it softened as her eyes warmed in recognition.
"Bo." She whispered, her glare turning from fierce to sad, and then back again as she turned away from me and back to Lachlan.
I took a step forward and Lachlan leaned in, his fingers just barely skimming the side of the revolver on the desk before Lauren took a step forward of her own, shaking her own gun in his direction.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." She warned, her tone as bitter as the weather outside.
Lachlan's hands shot up in defense.
"Wouldn't dream of it love." He smirked.
"Don't call her that." I sneered as I moved closer, pausing a foot behind Lauren.
"I'm taking care of it Bo." Lauren said sternly. "Acapulco." She added in a gentler tone, just under her breath. I wasn't sure if she was trying to calm me or her, but it didn't do me any favors. I tensed all of my muscles, the burning in my side so strong I could barely breathe. I felt faint. Come on Dennis. Just a little longer.
"Ms. Dennis, perhaps you could talk some sense into your friend here." Lachlan suggested coyly turning slightly to face me.
"Not another move Lachlan!" Lauren bellowed.
Though it was clear she'd never held a gun before, I was amazing at how steady and calm the blonde's hands were. She really was gonna make one hell of a doctor, and it was my job to see to it that happened.
"The coin." I spoke up, clearing my thoughts. Lachlan's eyes snapped to mine. "The coin for her contract." I said furrowing my brow.
"As you wish." Lachlan nodded pointing to his desk. "Let me just get the paperwork in order, I'll tear it up right here, just as soon as you hand over the coin."
"Done." I nearly shouted. All I wanted was out of this whole mess. I didn't give a damn about magical coins or any other nonsense. I just wanted to live out the rest of my days holding the woman I loved in my arms.
"No." Lauren spoke. It threw me off guard, a fair trade had been her idea after all.
"Lauren." I'd try to reason with her.
"No Bo." She said turning her body toward me, her arm still outstretched with Lachlan right in the gun's crosshairs. "He'll never let us be, it's like you said, not while he's still around." Tears began to pool in her eyes and my heart broke.
"Lauren, give me the gun." I whispered, pleading with her. She gave me a long stare and then turned her attention toward Lachlan who was still standing in the same spot, his arms slightly outstretched.
"Yes Ms. Lewis, give Ms. Dennis the gun, me the coin, and I'll give you, your freedom."
I knew it was all she wanted; hell it's what she hired me for in the first place. But she just kept staring at Lachlan. I could hear the gears turning in that gigantic brain of hers, I hadn't really realized it till this moment that I was in love with an egghead. The thought brought a slight upward curve to my lips.
After a long silent moment Lauren finally spoke.
"What makes you think I even have the coin on me?"
Lachlan laughed.
"Really Ms. Lewis, I may not know you well, but I know you well enough to know that you're not the kind of gal who brings a gun to a knife fight." His eyebrow raised as he nodded toward the pistol in her outstretched hand. "Case in point."
If he wasn't such a slimy bastard I almost could 'ive admired the guy. He had gumption, and wit, I'd give 'im that.
"And what if I told you I didn't have the coin? That it's far away, someplace safe?" Her tone was even, but I thought I detected a slight tremor in her stance.
Lachlan shrugged and smirked, calling her bluff.
After another excoriatingly long moment Lauren turned back to me, I could tell she was tired, tired of keeping up the act, tired of it all.
And that's where she made her mistake.
She took her eye off Lachlan for only an instant, but it was all he needed, all I needed.
My body and mind moved in sync, everything happening in slow motion. The second she turned her focus from Lachlan I caught him moving his hands swiftly toward the desk out of the corner of my eye, at the same moment I reached for Lauren's hand cradling the pistol. I'd taken her by surprise, she didn't have time to react as I grabbed the gun from her hand, shielding her body with my own.
Pop.
I felt a sting in my left shoulder.
I pushed Lauren to the ground and I spun on my heel, firing one shot and barely grazing the lapel of Lachlan's jacket.
Pop.
This time a sting to the right side of my chest, sending me flying back, my body fighting with all it had left to let out a second shot, I squeezed the trigger, the high pitch hum of the bullet leaving the barrel ringing in my ear. This one went dead into the center of his heart, and as I hit the ground I watched as Lachlan grabbed his chest, looking toward me, shocked, as blood began to pool at his lips and he fell to his knees, smacking his head against the dense, ancient desk on his way down.
I was barely holding on by a thread. I could hear Lauren shouting my name, but it sounded so far off.
"Bo, Bo! Focus on me!" Her melodic voice the sweetest tune my ears had ever known. I smiled as she leaned next to me, holding me in her arms, cradling me against her chest. Her hands around me, trying to hold in the blood quickly pumping out of me. My vision faded in and out. I felt awful that I was getting my blood all over that beautiful white coat. "Stay with me Bo!"
Funny the things you think of in the strangest situations.
I looked up into those beautiful honey eyes. They were glistening with freely flowing tears. I weakly reached my blood soaked hand up to her cheek.
"Laur—Lauren I- I lo—" It was so hard, and it hurt so much to speak.
"Shhh." She soothed in a choked voice. "I know." She nodded trying to force a smile. "I know detective."
I choked out a laugh, gargling warm, thick liquid.
"Bo." She cried. I took a deep, painful breath. I didn't feel any pain anymore, not really. My hand had fallen down to the floor; I no longer had the strength to keep it perched on that soft, porcelain face.
There wasn't much left in this world for a washed up gumshoe like me. I'd never been particularly good at anything, I was an alright detective, and though I may be an ace pilot, aside from Amelia Earhart with all of her family money, when was a woman really gonna be able to make a career out of that? No sir, I didn't really have much to offer this world, no family besides Kenzi, no real friends besides Trick. But Lauren, Lauren could make a real difference in this world, and I knew she would.
As I stared up at the angelic beauty above me I continued to smile, blinking back tears. She was free. I had set my songbird free.
"Lau—" I gargled.
