“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but whatever your issue is, it’s with me. Not her. Let her go,” I tell him.
“No. She’s the only thing you care about. If I don’t have my money back in the next twenty minutes, her pretty little neck will be bleeding out,” he says.
“I should never have doubted your judgement. You’re right. He is an asshole,” Jazzy says to me. And then, out of nowhere, she elbows Bradley in the stomach, stomps on his foot, and twists his arm. The knife drops to the floor. She manages to get out of his hold and runs to the other side of the room.
I don’t let him recover before I’m on him. My fist connects with his jaw. Taking his head in my hands, I bring my knee up, hearing the crunch of his nose as he screams and tries to scramble away.
It’s not going to work. Nothing is going to soothe the rage I’m filled with right now. I hit his head against the edge of the desk and then throw him down to the ground. He has a huge gash on the back of his head, but I don’t stop. Landing blow after blow to his face until I’m being pulled off him. I turn and find Carlo yanking on my arm.
“He’s dead, Jake. Stop,” he says in a low voice.
I look down at Bradley’s lifeless body.Fuck. I killed him.
And the worst part? I don’t feel anything. No remorse, no guilt, just nothing.
Once Carlo is satisfied I’m not going to go back down on Brad’s body, he lets me go. My chest is heaving as I try to catch my breath. I look to Jazzy, my eyes connecting with hers. “Are you okay?”
She nods and then she runs for me, her arms circling my waist. “I was so scared,” she whispers.
My hand runs down her back, through her hair in soothing motions. “So was I,” I tell her.
“What the fuck happened here?” Carlo asks.
I pull back a little and Jazzy turns to her father. “It’s my fault. I let him in. He said he just wanted to talk. And I thought maybe… Well, I was stupid,” she says.
“You’re not stupid, princess. What happened after you let him in?”
“He put a knife to my throat and told me to get Jake here,” she explains. “I waited until Jake showed up before I even tried to get out of his hold, because I was scared. What if I couldn’t get away from him quick enough?”
“You did good, princess.” Carlo pulls his daughter to his chest while his eyes meet mine. “So did you.”
I can’t believe I did it again. I look to the body and then at Jazzy. I will always protect her, at any cost. I know that. But fuck, I’m not a killer, not usually. It would seem this woman brings the worst and best out of me.
“Take Jazzy to the penthouse and get cleaned up. I’ll deal with this,” Carlo says.
“Are you sure?” I ask him. “I don’t expect you to clean up my messes.”
“Ourmess. I would have done the same thing if I got here first,” he says.
I guide Jazzy to the private elevator that takes us right up to her penthouse. Then I lead her into the bathroom. “Are you really okay? I’m so sorry, Jazzy.”
“This isn’t your fault, Jake. You told me not to trust him. I can’t believe I was so stupid.”
“Where are Hunter and Isaac?” I ask her.
She frowns. “I don’t know. They were outside my office.”
I send Carlo a message, letting him know that Jazzy’s detail is MIA. He sends one back, saying he’ll send CJ to look for them.
Turning the shower on, I make sure the water is warm before I undress Jazzy and then myself. I pull her under the hot stream. “I’m sorry you had to see me do that.” I sigh.
“I’m sorry I make you so murderous,” she says with a little smile on her face.
“You make me complete.”
After we’re both cleaned, I wrap a towel around her and dry off. I put my dress pants back on but leave my shirt, tie, and jacket on the bathroom floor.
“Have you read your letter yet?” Jazzy asks.