13. Chapter 13

The weight of regret hangs heavy on my heart, dragging it down with an unrelenting force.

It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, one I can't seem to shift. In my entire life, there are only a handful of things I truly regret, and they all revolve around one person—Jeyla.

It's strange to think that fate brought us together, two souls intertwined in a love so intense yet ultimately doomed. As much as I resisted the idea of soulmates and destiny, there's no denying the inexplicable pull between us. Why were we brought together if our end was always written in stone? A series of cruel twists of fate, perhaps.

Our love was like an untameable wildfire, burning bright and consuming everything in its path. But how long will it burn until it eventually fizzles out and leaves nothing but ashes behind?

I turn my head to glance at Jeyla and notice she has fallen asleep again in the passenger seat. God, she's so beautiful. Even in all her agony and worry she still looks perfect.

With that thought circling my mind I continue the final hour's drive back to base. The sun is starting to peek up from behind the horizon, illuminating the darkened sky with those beautiful orange, purple and red hues. I glance at the time, 04:57am, I rub the back of my neck, the dull ache slowly creeping up to my head. I pull my mobile phone from my pocket and dial Chief Scott's number.

"Captain?"

"Sir, any news?" I ask and hear him heave a sigh on the other end.

"I'm afraid not, son. The team are still working through all the traffic surveillance around the time your son was abducted. We're getting close, it's only a matter of time now. What's your ETA?"

I squeeze the steering wheel and bite my lip to stop from cursing and glance over at Jeyla still asleep before looking ahead again, "Thirty minutes sir. Chief, you should know I have Jeyla with me."

"What?" Chief Scott grumbles. "You brought Jeyla along with you?"

"Yes sir."

"Jesus Dean, what the hell are you thinking bringing your wife to the airbase while we're in the midst of a crisis? She should be at the safehouse we have arranged for her."

I rub my forehead tiredly, the stern tone of his voice only sends a surge of agitation up my back. "Chief, with all due respect I would rather keep Jeyla close where I can protect her. So far none of the security protocols we have put in place to protect my family have fazed Lukin in the slightest." I explain calmly, "They have our son, this crisis concerns her too. I can focus better if she's safe and I can keep an eye on her." I explain bluntly. I'm not one to disrespect my superiors, but who does he think he's kidding here? That son of a bitch got close enough to kidnap my son and took out a highly trained security team. "I was told I have the forces full support. Jeyla is the final link. I'm not taking another risk by leaving her unprotected or exposed. Lukin didn't kill her, but that doesn't mean he won't send in his cronies to finish the job, sir."

I hear him sigh heavily on the other end, "Very well, Reyes. We'll discuss this when you get to base. I'll inform the team to start the paperwork."

"Yes sir." I end the call and glance over at Jeyla, she's still asleep. I've been trying to figure out a way to convince Jeyla that she needs to stay put and out of the way while she's at the airbase. I can't just have her wandering around unsupervised. They'll have my fucking head.

As I approach the first security gate, two officers stand guard at the ready with their machine guns strapped to their bodies. Rolling down the window I hand the one approaching my window my badge.

"Captain." They greet with a salute before handing back my badge and lifting the barrier for me to drive through.

A rush of memories overtakes me as I gaze upon this familiar sight. It's been over a year since I last set foot in this place, my once beloved sanctuary and home, now nothing more than a source of pain and sorrow. The memories come flooding back, of laughter and conversations shared with my fellow officers who have become like family to me. And then there was Colton, my partner in crime on the night shift, our duty to guard and protect these very gates that I now drive through. I park the car up in my usual spot and my hand instinctively reaches over to gently rock Jeyla awake, her small frame jumps in surprise. "We're here," I tell her as she looks around frantically.

"No! DJ!"

I can see the turmoil deep in her eyes and it pains me deeply. I release her seatbelt and squeeze her shoulder comfortingly to calm her down. "JJ, shh, shh it's okay, it was a dream, you were dreaming," I assure her, but she starts sobbing.

"Dean, they killed him, they killed my baby right before my eyes, and I couldn't stop it. I couldn't do anything!" she weeps. I pull her to me and hold her while she sobs.

"Baby, it was a dream. It was just a nightmare. I promise you, DJ is fine." I assure her and she pulls away and stares at me.

"How do you know that, Dean? How can you possibly be so sure that he's alive?" She wipes away the tears from her cheeks.

"I spent months with Lukin, working alongside him. Watching his every move and tactic. If he had any intention of harming DJ, he would have made it known by now. Taking the life of an innocent child does not align with his typical methods. As long as we comply with his demands—me being his main target—DJ should be safe."

Jeyla lets out a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping. "I want to believe you Dean, I really do. But your words just don't hold the same weight they used to. I've been burned too many times." Her voice is tinged with disappointment and mistrust, a stark contrast to the once unwavering faith she had in me. Honestly, it would have hurt less if she kicked me straight in the bollocks with steel toed boots.

Of course, she's well within her right to feel the way she does after everything I have put her through. She's a mother, she shares a bond with DJ that far exceeds our relationship. A bond between a mother and her baby.

I watch Jeyla push the car door open, step out of the car and walk away. With every step she takes my heart sinks deeper into that dark, hopeless abyss buried inside me. My arms crave to gather her against me and console her whether she despises me or not. There's a big part of me that is sure that I won't survive this nightmare… but the possibility of me dying with her hating me fucking hurts. Even if it is for the best.

I gracefully step out of the car, my duffle bag slung over my shoulder, and follow her through the bustling airbase toward the second security point. My boots click against the pavement as I walk, my eyes scanning the surroundings for any familiar faces. We finally reach the checkpoint, where Jeyla is stopped by the guards. Without missing a beat, I flash them my security badge and confidently state, "She's with me."

The guard's gaze shifts sceptically between Jeyla and me before finally letting us pass. As we make our way through, I catch sight of Chief Scott standing behind the guards. Immediately, I straighten my posture and salute him. He returns the gesture with a nod and a polite smile.

"At ease, Captain," he says in a deep voice. "It's good to have you back."

As we approach him, I drop my hand and he reaches out to shake it before turning his attention to Jeyla. "Mrs. Reyes," he greets her cordially. "It's nice to see you again." He holds out his hand in a welcoming gesture.

Jeyla's face remains grim and she just stares at his hand dourly and makes no attempt to shake his hand.

Come on JJ, for the love of God that's my superior. Just shake his fucking hand.

When Jeyla lifts her angry gaze to his, Chief Scott nods understandingly and withdraws. "I wish we could have welcomed you under better circumstances." Jeyla shakes her head and walks off without so much as a word. Chief Scott casts me an quizzical look and I sigh, rubbing the back of my head tiredly.

"I'm sorry sir, she's just?—"

Chief Scott holds up a hand and shakes his head, dismissing my apology. "I get it, Captain. The last time I met her I was telling her she had lost her husband and now her son has been abducted. I think her dislike for me, and her reaction is very much warranted. After all she's a concerned mother, and has every right to be aggravated and upset, this situation is a lot for anyone to carry. I can't even imagine what the poor girl is feeling right now." My eyes look over his shoulder and follow Jeyla as she walks toward the main building, her hands fisting and unfisting by her sides. "Come on, let's head on in, Chief Bennet is expecting you." I nod and follow him through the airbase to the quarters. Jeyla slows until we walk ahead, and she follows a few paces behind. When I glance back a couple of times I find her looking around inquisitively, taking in her surroundings as we head through the main building to the briefing chamber.

Chief Scott walks straight in and I stop, waiting for Jeyla to catch up. She stops, folds her arms over her chest and gazes up at me. "Anna," I call Chief Scott's assistant over, she smiles civilly as she stands from her desk and walks over to us.

"Yes, Captain?"

Jeyla's weary emerald eyes shift towards Anna with a calculating gaze. I can sense the weight of her scrutiny, analysing every detail about her. "Can you please escort Jeyla to my personal quarters and arrange for some food for her?" Jeyla's forehead creases in confusion, her eyes darting between Anna and myself before settling back on me.

"Personal quarters? Why can't I come in there with you? I need to know what's going on, Dean." She questions, understandably wanting to be kept in the loop.

Turning my head I look over my shoulder at my superiors observing us through the window. Sighing, I turn back to face Jeyla before speaking. "JJ, I'm already pushing it and breaking several regulations by bringing you here unannounced. That's the briefing chamber where we're going to discuss crucial and highly classified matters. You can't be in there. Once we're finished, I'll fill you in on everything. Just go and wait for me in my room and try to get some rest. If you need anything, Anna will assist you," I urge her. Reluctantly, Jeyla bites down on her bottom lip and nods before following Anna down the hall towards my room. She steals one last glance at me before disappearing out of sight.

"Captain Reyes, please join us," my superiors call out, beckoning me into their presence. With a nod, I enter their chamber and close the door behind me, all the while trying to mentally prepare myself for the inevitable storm that is about to fuck me.