Chapter 10 Skel

T hree years earlier—

My palm hit the steering wheel. Twice.

Frustration warred with the logical side of my brain. Lacey was too young. The age gap between us was too wide.

But it didn't feel that way when we were together. She was sweet and innocent in many ways but also sexy, determined, and courageous. Her maturity made her seem older, closer to her late twenties than younger.

I'd never met anyone like her. She brought out a wild, carnal side to me but also a tenderness that I'd never felt with another soul since my mother's death. What were the odds that Lacey would lose her mother the same way I lost mine, to the same cancer? It was tragic. Heartbreaking. And we both understood that helpless feeling that came along with it.

I couldn't put her through more heartache. It wouldn't happen tomorrow or even next year, but she'd want a family at some point, and I couldn't give her one.

Lifting my head, I glanced at her building before pulling away, knowing I wouldn't set foot inside again. Pissed that I was forced into making this decision when I just wanted to say fuck it and run to her made me feel edgy and tense.

I'm already falling in love with her.

I hadn't formed that thought yet. I hadn't put it into words, but that was the truth. I fucking loved this fierce, stunning woman, and I wanted to be with her.

James moved in front of the door and stared at me, something about the way he remained still, his eyes wide, immediately alerted me. He seemed scared. I ticked my chin at him and put my truck in drive, pulling away to park a short distance away from the building by the park. If anyone watched, they'd think I left.

My military upbringing and twenty years of service always trained me to have a weapon. I had all the legal paperwork to go with it and didn't give a fuck what anyone had to say about it, including the police. It was my fucking right to carry a gun. I knew how to use it with more skill than most people would ever learn.

I approached Lacey's building with caution, taking in my surroundings but finding nothing out of place. James let me in, and I noticed his stiff movements. "I'm taking the elevator up to the penthouse."

He nodded. "Careful."

The fact that he didn't say more, bouncing his gaze toward the security camera, convinced me that trouble awaited me in the penthouse. Someone went after the judge.

Fuck! I sent Lacey up there alone, distraught, and without a way to defend herself.

If anyone harmed her, I'd lose my shit.

I pushed the button on the elevator, unsurprised when the doors opened, and two men in black suits stared me down. "Looks like we're going to the same place," I observed, entering as the doors slid shut.

I probably could have let them subdue me. It might have been fun to let them think they got the upper hand before I smashed both of their faces into the walls, busting noses and knocking them out. I swear I considered it. But violence had taken root inside me the moment I realized Lacey was in danger.

Touch my woman, enter her house, threaten her, or make her cry, you're gonna regret it.

I knew the second those doors closed, the two goons would be on me. I ducked as they swung, colliding with one another as I kicked, swiping their feet out from under them. The first guy smacked his head into the wall hard enough to hear the crack.

The second guy rushed me. His head rammed into my stomach as I lifted my elbow and landed hard in the center of his back. His body sprawled across the floor of the elevator as I shoved my boot into his ass. He slammed into the wall headfirst and slumped down.

Good. Two assholes down. That made it easier.

I took their weapons, shoving the guns behind my back and into the waistband of my jeans. When they arrived at the bottom, James would see them. Hopefully, he'd call the police if he hadn't already.

I stepped out of the elevator as it opened, palming my weapon. Lights flickered in the hall from where someone had shot up the camera, light fixtures, and the black marble floor. Bits of crystal from the chandeliers spilled across the black marble and reflected prisms. Luckily enough, the windows weren't broken. That would have been hazardous, considering the penthouse was located on the thirty-fifth floor.

I moved as silently as possible, entering the penthouse with my gun raised. I wasn't stupid enough to think there wouldn't be more hitmen waiting inside. The kitchen was clear, but in the living room, sitting calmly on the sofa with his arms draped across the back, was Luis Diego. Three men stood behind the couch in identical dark suits—copies of their richer, more influential, and successful leader.

Judge Maxwell was tied up, his hands and feet bound. A cloth had been shoved in his mouth, and he couldn't speak. They positioned him on a chair as one of Luis's men kept a gun aimed at his chest.

Lacey gasped when she saw me. She perched on the edge of the sofa as far from Luis Diego as possible. She trembled, and I hated that she had to walk in here alone. Lacey never should have had to confront her kidnapper like that.

Guilt flooded me, but I winked at her before turning my attention to Luis. "Diego."

"Michael Brandon Myers. Gunnery Sergeant. Decorated hero. You've got quite a list of accomplishments, amigo ."

"You forgot expert marksman and a black belt in MCMAP." I entered the room with my gun aimed at Luis, and I kept it there. "Neither of us needs to play games. I'll win."

Yeah, I was a cocky fucker, but I had the skills to back it up.

Luis chuckled. "I like you. Too bad I have to kill you."

His threat didn't mean shit to me. "It'll be the last mistake you ever make."

I knew what would happen next. Before his men could open fire, I tapped the trigger on my gun, hitting all three in quick succession, so fast only one of them had a chance to fire a shot, and it hit the wall behind me. All three bodies fell.

"Should we try this again, friend ?"

Luis grinned, but it didn't reach his eyes. "What do you want? The girl? Take her."

"And the judge?"

"He owes me a favor. I'm hoping to influence him with a little motivation."

I didn't like the sound of that. "The police are already on their way."

"Yes, I know. Clever, aren't you?"

This was too easy. Luis was far too relaxed.

"Skel!" Lacey shouted as I heard someone behind me.

I should have checked more thoroughly before I allowed my back to be vulnerable. Of course, I didn't have much choice when I walked in. I had to ensure Lacey was safe. She was my first priority. The judge came second. If I had to choose one life, it would be hers every time.

The person behind me made the mistake of hesitating. That was their downfall. I spun and shot out the palm of my hand, chopping at the guy's throat. I knew I hit hard enough to break his windpipe when he gasped and fell to the ground, clutching at his throat. I didn't stick around to find out if he was suffocating. I didn't care.

The room exploded into action. Lacey raced to her father. Luis rushed me. I heard someone else enter the penthouse.

"Police!"

Luis and I collided. His body hit mine, and we rolled on the ground. His plan backfired because he never counted on me. He thought he could intimidate the judge and use Lacey to force his hand. But I showed up and interrupted him.

I'd made an enemy of Luis Diego before I ever met him simply because I helped Lacey that night in the cemetery.

Luis slashed with a knife and nearly sliced off my ear. We struggled as more shouting followed—orders from the police. Luis wouldn't relent. A bullet shot through his hand as he screamed, dropping the knife.

I kicked it away as I stood, concerned for Lacey.

"Skel!" Tears tracked down her face as she struggled to get her father's bound limbs untied.

The judge cursed Luis Diego as one of the officers approached him, asking what happened. "He invaded my home and threatened me and my daughter. I want him arrested! Now!"

Lacey left her father as he began making a statement. She bit her lip as I approached. "Thank you."

"Anytime, Lacey."

Luis was taken into custody. Officers led him to the elevator as he struggled, trying to fight the handcuffs slapped onto his wrists. He threatened everyone as the doors closed.

I didn't have a doubt that he'd see the inside of a jail cell after this. Lacey and the judge were safe. The nightmare was over.

"It's over," she breathed with a sigh of relief. "I'm so grateful for your help. Who knows what would have happened if you didn't come back?"

I didn't want to think about it.

She cleared her throat. "Why did you? Come back, I mean."

Lacey looked nervous, fidgeting with the old fraying hem of the sweatshirt I'd given her after we showered together at my place. She looked fucking good in my clothes. Too good.

It didn't change anything from the conversation we'd had before I dropped her off. I still couldn't have children. She would want a family. Loving each other wouldn't be enough someday. I was a pragmatist. Ending it now would hurt a hell of a lot less than five or ten years down the line.

"I had to be sure you were okay."

"Well," she shrugged, "I don't think I am." Her teeth nibbled at her bottom lip. She was anxious.

"But you will be. I'm certain of that." I pulled her into my arms for a hug, needing that bit of contact with her before I said the words that would cut off any chance of us being together. "You take care of yourself and the judge."

She tensed as I released her. "That's it?"

Fuck. The gutted expression on her face tore me apart inside.

"I'm leaving Vegas, Lacey. I won't be coming back."

She smacked me, and I didn't flinch. Just let her hit me several times as a sob broke loose from her chest. Tears pooled in her pretty eyes before she turned away, refusing to let them fall in my presence.

I was a dick. I owned it.

But she didn't know I felt every bit of her heartache, and it added to my own.