Run To Me (Lazarus Rising #4)(50)

He didn’t like where this was going. “You got an accusation, Lucas? Then spit it out. Don’t waste my time by bullshitting around.”

Willow was silent.

Lucas rocked back on his heels. “Benjamin told me that you weren’t real pleased to be his partner. That you only did it because you owed him a debt.”

“I always pay my debts.” He slanted a quick glance at Willow, but her face was unreadable.

“Easy enough to get out of this particular partnership…just let the place go up in flames.”

He didn’t have time for this crap. “Out of the way, Lucas.” He didn’t wait to see if the guy complied. He took Willow’s hand and pulled her with him. He had places to go. Things to freaking do.

And he didn’t need Lucas’s lame-ass accusations slowing him down.

When Jay got to the car, West was already waiting. They didn’t speak. They just hauled ass away from the scene.

***

“Figures he gets to waltz away from the scene,” Benjamin muttered as he watched Jay drive away and leave the flames behind. “Meanwhile, I have every cop in the area giving me the side eye.”

Lucas kept his gaze on the car. “That’s money for you. Let’s the guilty walk.”

“Uh, yeah.” Benjamin gave a rough bark of laughter. “He’s not guilty. Just an asshole. No way did he torch this place.”

Lucas turned toward him. “You shouldn’t be so sure. You saw the video feed—”

“I also saw how close Willow was to the building. No way would Jay risk her. So if you want to find the bastard who did this, then start looking elsewhere.” Benjamin’s gaze hardened. “When we do find the piece of shit, I’ll deal with him. No one hurts what’s mine. No fucking one.”

Yes, Lucas had heard the stories about Benjamin. The guy was rumored to be one of the most powerful crime bosses on the East Coast. You didn’t fuck with him.

Or at least, you weren’t supposed to.

But sometimes…sometimes, anyone could get burned. Especially if that person got caught in the crossfire.





Chapter Thirteen


“Got to say, it’s a new one for a lover to run from me the minute my back is turned.”

Willow could hear the rough edge in Jay’s voice. They were the only occupants in the small elevator—an elevator in some private hospital on the edge of D.C. His arms were crossed over his chest, and his gaze was locked on her.

She straightened her shoulders. “I shouldn’t…we shouldn’t have become lovers. That was a mistake.”

Wrong words. She could absolutely tell they were wrong. He stalked forward. His hands flew out. She tensed, thinking he was going to grab her, but instead, his fingers hit the control panel on the elevator.

The elevator immediately stopped.

“A mistake?” Jay repeated carefully. “The first time?”

She swallowed.

“The second?” Jay pushed.

“Make the elevator move.”

“Maybe the third. Yes, that must have been the mistake time. The third—”

“Stop it,” Willow gritted out.

His jaw clenched.

She turned, fumbled and pushed different buttons on that control panel, wanting them to move.

“I didn’t think any of it was a mistake.”

The elevator was moving. Thank God.

“I thought it was the best sex of my life. Every. Single. Time.”

Her cheeks flamed. “What?” She whirled back toward him.

But his gaze was hooded. His expression carefully masked. “I thought we were just getting started,” he murmured. “Didn’t realize you were making plans to leave.”

She had to leave. Didn’t he get that? Yes, she wanted him. So badly she ached. She was just trying to do the right thing. “I’ll hurt you.”

The doors opened with a ding.

“Oh, sweetheart, you already have.” He strode out of the elevator.

It took a moment for his words to sink in, and when they did, Willow surged after him. “Jay!” She grabbed his arm.

He stilled. So did the armed guards who were on the floor. Everyone tensed.

“Easy,” Jay said, his voice carrying a note of command. “She’s with me.”

The guards seemed to relax, a bit.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” she whispered. Everything was so messed up.

“Then what did you think leaving would do?”

Protect you.

“Come on. Sawyer’s waiting.” His voice was brisk as he led her down the hallway. He’d called Sawyer on the way over. Gotten this meeting set up. She knew Sawyer would be in the room during her time with Wyman. She also knew exactly why.

In case Wyman tries to get in my head again, Sawyer is there. Because Sawyer equaled her strength. Maybe he even surpassed her power, she didn’t know. He’d been the first super soldier created. She didn’t exactly want to challenge him to a fight in order to find out who was stronger.

West had stayed downstairs. He’d wanted to check in with his security team.

They walked in silence down the hallway. The gleaming white floors threw her reflection back at her even as the scent of antiseptic stung her nose. They passed dozens of hospital rooms, but all of those rooms were empty. “Where are the other patients?” Willow asked.