Chapter 93: Chapter 7

MASON

“Sasha, stop overthinking. It doesn’t matter to me. I’ve waited this long for you, a few more weeks won’t kill me, I promise! Whether we can have kids or not isn’t important right now. What matters is getting you healed and relaxed. Let’s go shopping, get you some clothes you really want.”

“But Mason, I have clothes. Your mom and sisters already got me a bunch.”

“I know, but let’s get stuff you want! We’re going, and I won’t take no for an answer.”

She nods in agreement as I text our guards to meet us downtown. We buckle up and hit the road. By the time we arrive, our guards are ready to secure the area while we shop.

As we park, they open the doors, and I give them a quick briefing on their positions for a quick exit if needed. I walk around to Sasha’s side, and we head into the store. The manager rushes over, snapping her fingers for a staff member to assist us.

A petite girl named Amber approaches, visibly nervous and fidgeting with her hands. I notice another staff member glaring at her, anger etched on his face. As Amber continues to fidget, I spot bruises on her wrists, barely hidden by her shirt sleeves.

When I look at her face, she’s staring outside at one of our guards. Aaron, one of our newer recruits, is staring right back at her. I recognize that look and can’t help but smirk.

“Amber, sweetheart, who did this to you?”

She looks at me, then at Sasha, shaking her head as tears well up in her eyes.

“Please, Mr. Maxwell, I don’t want to say.”

She’s clearly upset, and I notice the angry staff member slowly approaching us. I signal Aaron to come inside. He rushes in and stands next to me, his gaze fixed on Amber.

I point to her bruised wrists and nudge him, then nod toward the approaching staff member. Aaron gently traces the bruises on her wrists, then turns to the guy, visibly angry.

“Did he do this to you?” he asks.

He points directly at the guy, causing Amber to burst into tears. Aaron wraps his arm around her, pulling her close for comfort. The guy, now furious, storms toward us, yelling at Amber.

In an instant, Aaron and I draw our guns, aiming at him.

“Don’t take another step, you little fucker! Give me a reason to put a bullet in your head! Mason, you with me?”

The manager rushes out, trying to understand the situation.

“That’s my fucking girlfriend!”

“Was your girlfriend! You’re nothing but a punk! Amber, I’ll treat you like a queen, worship you every minute of every day. Do you want that?”

Amber looks at Sasha, who smiles reassuringly.

“He means it, Amber! They don’t mess around when they find their women. They don’t care about your past.”

“Okay, but can we talk privately?”

“Sure, but he needs to leave!”

The manager fires the guy on the spot and kicks him out. We turn to Amber, who’s clearly scared. Sasha steps forward, patting her hand to reassure her.

Aaron steps back, waiting anxiously for her to speak. She hesitates, takes a deep breath, and starts talking.

“I found out this morning that I’m pregnant by him. I prayed for a way out because I didn’t want my baby growing up in that environment.”

“That’s my child, Amber! I don’t care how I get you, as long as you’re mine. If that means there’s a bonus that comes with you, so be it.”

She breaks down, burying her face in his chest. While they have their moment, I tell Sasha to shop to her heart’s content, no budget limit. She skips off, other staff members helping her find stuff. They seem to be having as much fun as she is.

I turn back to the new couple. Aaron is watching Amber, who’s clinging to him.

“Amber, do you have stuff we need to get from wherever you’re staying?”

“Nothing important. Just some basic work clothes, mostly hand-me-downs from the group home I was at before I aged out.”

Aaron tenses up, looking down at her.

“Amber, get whatever clothes you want! Then we’ll take them and you back to my place. We’ll need to go to the shoe store, and if you want purses, we can get those too. Oh, and the bath store a few doors down. Anything you want, it’s yours.”

Her eyes go wide as Sasha comes running over, grabbing her hand. They run off together. We chuckle, finding the scene both funny and cute.

My phone buzzes. One of the guards, Terry, texts that the guy who left is now sitting in his car, staring at the store. I text back, instructing him to call for backup and figure out what the guy wants. If he’s here to cause trouble, take him to the basement and we’ll deal with him later.

I look at Terry, who nods and jumps on the phone, another guard taking his place. I whisper to Aaron what’s happening. He stiffens, reaching for his gun, but I place my hand on his arm.

“It’s being handled. Let’s just enjoy this time.”

He nods, and for a while, everything is quiet. Then, gunshots ring out. I yell at the girls to hide with the manager. Aaron and I draw our guns and run toward the door. Our guards are already in position as we exit and head toward the commotion.

We find the guy dead on the ground, one of our guards shot but still standing.

“What the fuck happened, Terry?”

“When we approached, Mason, he panicked. He jumped out of his car, got a shot off before we returned fire.”

He draws me aside, whispering the grim discovery from the car into my ear. My stomach churns violently. I instruct them to call the police and sort it out. Usually, we’d clean up our own messes, but with this many witnesses, it isn’t feasible.

Aaron and I return to the store, shouting out that it is safe. The girls emerge, rushing toward us. They seek answers in our faces, but I can only shake my head, mouthing “later” and urging them to continue shopping.

An hour passes before they finish. As we settle the bills and prepare to leave, I notice Amber freeze in her tracks. Aaron holds her as she covers her mouth, shaking and crying. I know she’s seen the yellow tarp and understands what it means.

She grows more distressed, so I step in front of her, blocking her view. She looks up at me, and I simply shake my head.

“He returned, and when my men questioned him, he opened fire. They retaliated. In his car, they found more weapons, ammunition, rope, duct tape, and an ax. They also found a printout of a remote location. They suspect he planned to kidnap you, kill you, and dismember you.”

Her face pales, and she clutches her stomach. She buries her face in Aaron’s chest as he wraps his arms around her, whispering soothing words. I see her nod occasionally before we turn to enter the next store.

Hours later, Sasha and I head to the compound, while Aaron takes Amber to his apartment.

AARON

Upon reaching the apartment, guards help us unload everything. I rush to clean up the stray clothes littering the floor, trying to make the place look less like a bachelor pad. Amber follows me, laughing at my frantic efforts.

“I know it’s not very feminine, but if you want new sheets or curtains, just say the word! You can stay here, and I’ll sleep on the couch. I’m not much of a cook, so I usually eat out with the guys. I don’t have many groceries, but I can order some,” I say.

“Well, I’m glad I’m here then. The decor doesn’t bother me, and you don’t have to sleep on the couch. We can share the bed. I love to cook, so yes, we’ll need groceries. I’ll make a list of what I need. I can help buy more when I get my next paycheck.”

“You don’t have to work! You can stay here or work at the offices. I’m sure there’s work you can do there or even here at the apartments. I make more money than we’ll ever need,” I reply.

She looks at me, tears welling up in her eyes. I rush over, wrapping her in my arms. I carry her to the bed, snuggling in next to her with her head resting on my chest.

“We’ll need to make an appointment to see the doctor for the baby,” I say.

“But I don’t have medical insurance!”

“Don’t worry, the family has its own physicians for all employees. They cover visits and anything else we need. That includes the families of the employees.”

“But we aren’t even married!”

“We can fix that! There’s still time to get to the courthouse, I’m sure!”

“Aaron, why are you being like this?”

“You’re everything I want in life. There will be no one else, now or ever. I’ll take care of you and our baby.”

“How about tomorrow? Crazier things have happened!”

“Great! Then we’ll go grocery shopping!”

I lift her chin to meet my gaze. I smile at her, leaning down to kiss her softly. She snuggles into my chest, and soon we are both sound asleep.

When Sasha and I arrive home, I carry her bags to our room. I sit on the couch while she busies herself putting everything away. A knock on the door announces my parents’ arrival.

My dad joins me on the couch while my mom goes to admire Sasha’s new clothes.

“I heard about what happened today. Crazy, huh!” he says.

“Yeah, it was! All Terry wanted was to talk. Then he fires a shot like he’s expecting a pat on the back. And the stuff in his car… I wonder if he knew she was pregnant and wanted to get rid of her? Who knows,” I reply.

“We got some news this morning. Our informants say our target has fled to the next town. They’re holed up in a house, and we’re keeping a close eye on them. Some men have left, but our guys haven’t moved yet. We need to be sure we get our target if we strike. The parents are just a couple of hours away,” he explains.

My dad’s phone buzzes. It is a guard traveling with the parents.