Chapter 26

TWENTY-SIX

LENNOX

A s I stood in the living room, the soft glow of the afternoon sun filtering through the window, I held my phone to my ear, my attention focused on the voice on the other end. Each word spoken was a reassurance, a confirmation that everything at the shipping yards was secure. After a few moments, satisfied with the conversation, I ended the call and turned just as Salem entered the room.

"Hey," she greeted, her voice curious as she glanced at me, her eyes holding a spark of excitement.

"Hey," I replied, a faint smile tugging at the corners of my lips as I met her gaze. "You ready?"

Salem nodded, her expression expectant as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. "Yeah, but can you tell me where we're going?"

I shook my head lightly, the smile on my face widening as I gestured for her to follow me. "You'll find out soon enough."

Leading her out of the room and down the hallway, we made our way to the garage. The air was brisk and refreshing as we stepped into the spacious area, the row of vehicles inside gleaming under fluorescent lights. We came to a stop in front of one particular car, and I watched as Salem's eyes landed on it, her gaze lingering on the sleek, black exterior.

"What's this?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity as she took in the vehicle before her.

"It's a new addition," I replied, pride evident in my tone as I admired the car. "Bulletproof."

Salem's eyes widened in surprise, a hint of awe flickering in their depths as she processed the revelation. I felt satisfied with her reaction. Moving to the passenger side, I opened the door for her, waiting patiently as she settled into the seat before making my way to the driver's side.

As we pulled out of the garage and onto the road, the familiar hum of the engine filling the air, Salem shot me a questioning look from the corner of her eye. "So, where are we going?"

I glanced at her briefly, a smirk playing on my lips as I focused on the road ahead. "You'll see."

The journey to our destination was a serene one, the winding roads of Westchester County passing by in a blur of greenery and sunlight. A comfortable silence enveloped us, broken only by the occasional whirr of passing cars and the soft rustle of the wind through the trees.

Despite the tension that often lingered between us, there was an ease in the air as we traveled together.

I glanced over at Salem. Her expression was unreadable, her eyes focused on something outside the window as we drove. With her in the passenger seat beside me, I felt a surge of worry for her safety. But the night before had shown me something important. She needed this. She needed to get out of the house, away from the suffocating confines of our estate.

I hoped today's excursion would go off without a hitch. I had planned on taking care of this task myself, but seeing the look on Salem's face at dinner, I knew she needed it more than I did.

As we drove, the silence between us stretching on, I cleared my throat, breaking the quiet with the sound of my voice. "I was thinking," I began, my tone casual as I glanced at her briefly. "That I could tell you a story."

Salem turned to look at me, her curiosity piqued. "A story?"

I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips. "Yeah. About when I was younger."

I paused, gathering my thoughts before launching uneasily into the tale. "Back when Cole, Fallon, and I were just kids, we lived in Manhattan, in my father's brownstone, and things… weren't great at home."

Salem listened intently as I recounted the memories, the words difficult to find as I painted a picture of my childhood. "My father was a lot like yours," I admitted, my grip on the steering wheel tightening slightly. "He was cruel. Cole and Fallon… they were the only family I had when my mother died. And it was up to me to protect them."

I glanced at Salem, meeting her gaze briefly before returning my focus to the road ahead. "There was one time… Fallon was upset, as she often was. My mother's absence left a void in our lives that was hard to fill. Her special chocolate cookies had always been a source of comfort for Fallon, so Cole decided to teach her how to make them."

I paused, taking a moment to gather my thoughts before continuing. "The kitchen was a fucking mess, flour strewn across the countertops and cookie dough splattered on the floor. And when my father returned home and saw it…"

My voice faltered slightly as I recalled the intensity of my father's fury. "He flew into a fit of rage, his anger boiling over like I'd never seen before. He was ready to punish Fallon because it was apparently her fault for needing the cookies. I knew his brand of punishment, and I couldn't stand by and watch."

Taking a deep breath, I met Salem's gaze. "I stepped in," I said quietly, my voice almost inaudible. "I took the blame and the punishment upon myself, determined to protect them both from harm, no matter the cost. No matter how hard they begged me to step aside. I was hospitalized for two weeks after the beating I took."

A heavy silence settled over us as I let my words sink in. "I guess what I'm trying to say is… I never fully grew out of that need to protect those I care about,″ I admitted, my voice imbued with regret. "Even when it goes against their wishes. It has always been a part of who I am."

Salem reached out, placing a comforting hand on my arm. "Lennox, you can't protect everyone. That is a burden too heavy to bear alone. I can take care of myself.″

I smiled faintly, grateful for her reassurance. "I know you can. But I want to keep you safe, Salem. And I will keep you safe, no matter what it takes."

Salem's expression softened, a flicker of understanding in her eyes. "Thank you," she said.

As we continued our journey, the miles passed beneath us in a blur of asphalt, and I felt relief wash over me. Despite the tension and uncertainty of our situation, being with Salem like this, with our walls lowered, felt like a balm to my soul.

As I guided the car into the Brooklyn shipping yards, I stole another glance at Salem beside me. Her curiosity was palpable, sparking in her eyes like embers catching flame. She'd been itching to know where we were headed, and now that we had arrived, I could practically hear her unasked questions.

As we rolled through the yard, my satisfaction swelled at the sight of my men stationed strategically around, securing every corner of the vast space. They were vigilant and sharp eyed, exactly how I had trained them.

Parking near the shipping container we were after, I killed the engine and stepped out of the car. Salem followed suit, and I made my way to the trunk, pulling out two plastic suits. Salem's grin widened as realization dawned, and I couldn't help but return it. She knew precisely why we were there.

We slipped into the suits, the crinkle of plastic filling the air as we fastened them securely. With every zip and snap, the anticipation grew heavier.

As we approached the shipping container, the guards stationed at the door pulled it open with practiced ease. Stepping inside, my eyes landed on our restrained guests, the men from New Orleans who had dared to lay their hands on Salem.

Their faces betrayed a mix of fear and unease as they took in our arrival. I could feel the tension crackling, thick and suffocating. But beneath it all, there was satisfaction, a quiet certainty that justice would be served.

Taking a step forward, I met the gaze of the men. Their eyes narrowed, a flicker of defiance flashing across their faces. But I stood tall, unyielding in my resolve.

Salem broke the silence first, her voice cutting through the tense atmosphere. "So," she began, her tone casual despite the situation. "How exactly did you manage to get these guys here? Last I checked, they were part of the New Orleans Triad."

I nodded, a small smirk playing on my lips as I recalled the deal I had struck. "It was a group effort. We made a little arrangement with Stirling."

Salem raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by my revelation. "Stirling King? The New Orleans heir?" she asked, her disbelief evident.

I chuckled, nodding in confirmation. "The one and only. He was more than happy to exchange these men in return for us turning a blind eye to his little escapade in NYC without so much as a courtesy call to let us know he was in town and using an alias while he was at it."

Salem let out a low whistle, clearly impressed by my resourcefulness. "Nice."

I nodded, satisfaction settling over me at her praise. "Thanks. We were originally going to take care of this ourselves, but I figured you might want to do the honors," I admitted, gesturing for her to take the lead.

Salem's eyes lit up with excitement, a mischievous grin spreading across her lips. "You know me too well."

With that, she stepped forward, taking charge with a confidence that left me in awe. Her movements were sharp and incisive, each one designed to chip away at the facade of the men before us.

As Salem tortured them, I watched from the sidelines, impressed by her tenacity and skill. There was a fire in her eyes that I hadn't seen before, a fierce resolve that sent a shiver down my spine.

It was clear that she was in her element, reveling in the opportunity to punish those who had wronged her. And as she inflicted suffering on the men with ruthless efficiency, I felt a swell of pride in her abilities.

As the minutes passed, a chilling transformation seemed to come over her. The air around her crackled with intensity, her gaze sharpening with every puncture. Every slash.

When she finally concluded, the scene was one of stark contrast. Salem stood amid the lifeless bodies, blood adorning her from head to toe. Yet, despite the grim setting, there was an undeniable peace about her.

But it wasn't the tranquility of a gentle breeze or the calm of a still lake. No, it was an eerie serenity that enveloped her, contrasting sharply with the chaos that had unfolded moments before. And as I looked upon her, bathed in blood, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was a force to be reckoned with, a storm held at bay by sheer force of will. And I was captivated by her.

As I pulled into the gas station, the dim glow of fluorescent lights illuminated the quiet night. Salem unbuckled her seatbelt, excitement flashing across her face as she eyed the rows of snacks through the store window.

"You want anything, Lennox?" she asked, already pushing open the car door.

"Just grab whatever you want," I replied, my gaze scanning the area for any signs of trouble.

Salem disappeared into the store, and I leaned back in my seat, my muscles tensed with anticipation. Despite the seemingly ordinary surroundings, my instincts were on high alert. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go wrong.

Minutes passed, and just as I was about to step out of the car to check on Salem, I heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching. Instinctively, I reached for the gun tucked into the waistband of my pants, but before I could react, the passenger side door was wrenched open, and I found myself face to face with Massimo's men.

"Get out of the car, Lennox," one of them snarled, his voice laced with menace.

I hesitated, assessing the situation. There was no way I could take on all of them alone, especially not with Salem inside the store. With a resigned sigh, I complied, sliding out of the car and onto the pavement.

"What do you want?" I demanded, my voice steady despite the surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins.

"We're here for the girl," another one said, his eyes maliciously narrowing.

My heart sank at the mention of Salem. I knew getting involved with her would put her in danger, but I never imagined it would come to this. My mind raced, trying to come up with a plan, but before I could formulate a response, Salem emerged from the store, a bag of snacks in hand.

"What's going on?" she asked, confusion etched on her face.

Before I could stop her, one of Massimo's men lunged forward, grabbing Salem by the arm and pulling her toward him. She let out a startled cry, dropping the bag of snacks as she struggled against his grip.

"Let her go!" I shouted, taking a step forward, but I was immediately met with the barrel of a gun pressed against my chest.

"Stay back, Lennox," the man growled, his grip on Salem tightening.

Panic surged through me as I weighed my options. I couldn't risk putting Salem in even more danger, but I couldn't just stand by and let them take her, either. With a burst of strength, I lunged forward, tackling the man holding Salem and sending them both crashing to the ground.

Chaos erupted as the other men rushed forward, but I was already on my feet, my gun drawn and ready. I managed to take down one of them before the others overpowered me, pinning me to the ground with a force that knocked the wind out of me.

As I glanced at Salem, her eyes were blazing with defiance, her abilities evident as she wrenched herself free from the enforcer's grip and stole a gun from his holster. Before I could even react, she was at my side, her presence a reassuring anchor in the disorder unfolding around us.

The tension crackled as guns were drawn, their cold metal glinting in the dim light of the gas station. Instinct took over, my fingers tightening around my gun's grip as I braced myself for the inevitable.

Bullets ripped through the air, slicing the stillness of the night with deafening cracks. Salem moved with fluid grace, a dance of survival amid the chaos, her every step a calculated risk in the deadly game we found ourselves in. She ducked and weaved between the cars, a shadowy figure amid the flickering headlights, gun blazing with precision as she returned fire.

I followed her lead, my heart thundering as I scanned the darkness for any sign of our assailants. The air was thick with the acrid scent of gunpowder, the sound of gunfire echoing in my ears as I focused on the task at hand. Every shot fired was a heartbeat, a pulse of adrenaline driving me forward as I fought to protect Salem from the unseen threat lurking in the shadows.

Salem was a beacon of strength, her resolve unwavering as she stood her ground against our attackers. But with each passing moment, the danger grew, our enemies closing in on us with ruthless precision.

And then, in the midst of the firefight, I saw it—a fleeting glimpse of an opening between the cars, a narrow path to freedom beckoning us forward. Without a second thought, I reached out, my fingers closing around Salem's hand as I pulled her toward the safety of my car.

But just as we reached the relative protection of the vehicle, a bullet whizzed past my ear, missing me by mere inches. I felt a flood of adrenaline as I shoved Salem behind the cover of the car, my heart pounding in my chest as I returned fire, my every instinct screaming at me to keep her safe.

The world around us blurred into a chaotic frenzy of motion and sound, the air thick with the stench of fear and desperation. But through it all, Salem remained a steady presence at my side, her steadfast courage a beacon of hope in the darkness.

We dove into the car, my blood still thick with adrenaline as I started the engine and peeled out of the gas station, tires screeching against the pavement. Bullets ricocheted off the metal frame of the car as we sped away, leaving our attackers in the dust.

Salem's grip tightened on my hand, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps as she leaned back in her seat. For a moment, there was silence, broken only by the sound of our racing hearts and the hum of the engine.

As Salem and I sped away from the gas station, the tension in the car was palpable. Salem's knuckles were white as she gripped the door handle beside her.

"Damn Massimo," she exclaimed, her voice tight with frustration.

I nodded grimly, my gaze fixed on the road ahead. "Yeah, it was only a matter of time before he made a move."

As we navigated the darkened streets, I knew we couldn't afford to let our guard down. Massimo's men could be hot on our trail, and we needed to stay one step ahead of them if we were going to make it back to Westchester County in one piece.

"We'll need to take the long way home," I said, my voice steady despite the urgency gnawing at my insides. "Make sure we're not being followed."

Salem nodded in agreement, her expression grim as she reached for her phone. "I'll call the others," she said, her fingers flying over the screen as she punched in the numbers.

As she spoke to the rest of our group, I focused on the road, my senses on high alert for any sign of danger. The streets were deserted at this hour. The only sounds were my car's engine and the occasional siren in the distance.

Once Salem had finished her call, she settled back in her seat, her expression tense as she gazed out the window. I could see the worry etched into the lines of her face, the weight of our situation pressing down on her shoulders.

I reached out, squeezing her hand in a silent gesture of reassurance. "We'll make it through this, Salem," I said, my voice soft but firm. "We always do."

She managed a weak smile, her grip tightening on my hand. "I know," she said, her voice hushed.

As we continued our journey through the night, the tension in the car slowly began to ease, replaced by a camaraderie forged in the heat of battle. Salem and I had faced countless challenges together, and each time, we had emerged stronger than before.

The city lights faded into the distance behind us, and I felt gratitude for the woman sitting beside me. Despite the dangers that lurked in the shadows, I knew that as long as we had each other, we would always find a way to survive.

With Salem by my side, I felt invincible, ready to take on anything that came our way. And as we navigated the winding roads back to Westchester County, I knew that no matter what lay ahead, we would face it together.