Chapter Fourteen - Pending Consequences

Judah Jackson's P.O.V.

My leg bounces as I sit on the sofa with my fingers interlocked tightly. We leave Spain in thirty minutes and I've just watched Macy get roughed up by the team. Parker is now making some superficial wounds so it comes across as believable then she'll be tied up. She took it like a champ but it still pained me to see her get hurt. The realization that she's used to this breaks my heart.

Warm hazel eyes meet mine and her smile takes my breath away like usual. I wish I could help somehow. I wish she didn't have to go back to the lion's den and potentially get hurt. When I found out who she is I was surprised, especially when I realized that she's the same woman from the strip club. That didn't put me off though, in fact she draws me in like a moth to a flame. I'm obsessed with her sweet yet fiery soul.

My feelings for her terrify me. I want to wake up with her beside me and hold her close every night as she falls asleep on my chest. I look for her everywhere and want to protect her from everything, no matter how small. I know I'm not fully in love yet but I sure am getting there. Whenever I think about my life before meeting her it pushes me into a state of disbelief because life has never felt as good as it does when I'm with her.

And now, I might never see her again.

If Quintana finds out about her betrayal I don't even want to imagine what he'll do to her. That clip is my only hope in knowing that she's safe. A deep sigh escapes me as I flop back against the couch.

"Done. You okay?" Parker asks her and she nods with a glance to the cuts on her arms and legs. "Good. Let's move you to the chair."

I try not to jump up and carry her to the chair when she stands with a hiss. Reece works on wrapping a rope tightly around her body and legs before Griffin advises we need to move out. My heart races with a painful ache at the thought of leaving her here but I get up regardless.

I want to talk to her, wrap her up in my arms and kiss her but Griffin will murder me if he finds out about us. The day she was caught and passed out in the van he told me about her, also warning me not to get involved. Clearly I have a problem listening to authoritative figures.

"Good luck Marcella." Griffin nods at her as he hauls his backpack onto his shoulders. "Stick to the plan and we'll have security on standby to get you and Cameron out of there before shit goes down."

"Got it, thanks." She smiles before whispering something to Reece as she hugs her. "Bye guys. See you soon...hopefully."

"Come on Judah." Griffin calls as he starts leaving the room while Parker and Cole say goodbye to Macy.

"Oh shit – wait! Judah can I just take a quick look at your stitches before we move?" Parker glances at me with a panicked look. "I don't want them loosening and slowing us down later on."

"Just be quick Park." Griffin grunts as they walk out through the back entrance.

I bend to start pulling up my jeans when Parker stops me with a laugh. "Go say goodbye to her properly."

"What?" I breathe and stare at him in confusion.

"I'm not blind Judah. I know you guys like each other." He grins boyishly before pushing me towards Macy. "Hurry up! I'll wait by the door."

I shake my head with a laugh as he leaves before rushing to Macy. "Please be safe, always keep that clip on and –"

"Shut up and kiss me already." She chuckles and tilts her head up.

I cup her face and pin my lips on hers, wasting no time to deepen it. She kisses me back with equal passion and it serves as a hard reminder on why I don't want to leave. I hear two rapid knocks from behind and realize my time's up. With hesitation I pull away but can't stop myself from pecking her a few times just to savor the feeling.

"I adore you." I whisper as I brush my thumb across her bottom lip.

"I adore you too." She smiles sadly before pushing forward to kiss me one last time. "I'll see you soon but until then try not to miss me too much."

I laugh as she winks with a cheeky smirk. "I miss you already my sweet dove."

Two urgent knocks echo throughout the quiet house once more and I stand back with a heavy sigh. I haul my backpack onto my shoulders before turning to Macy again. An overwhelming amount of sadness fills me and I find that I can't move my feet away from her. She realizes and I memorize the sound of her sweet chuckle.

"Judah...go. I'll be okay." She smiles reassuringly and I take a step back with a nod. "I'll have Cameron."

"Bye Mace."

"Bye Jude." She murmurs as I walk away with a heavy heart.

The door quietly shuts behind me before I set off to catch up to the team with Parker. There's a car waiting for us at the edge of the town and I throw my backpack inside before taking a seat next to Cole. Parker follows suit and shuts the door as I take out my laptop. We drive towards the airport while listening to Macy waiting for Quintana's men.

They find her just as we get through security and Griffin translates their conversation from Spanish. Apparently the men are nervous about reporting back to her brother, Cameron, since he's furious that it's taken them so long to find her. His concerned tone filters through one of the men's phone as he yells at them to wake her up. He's sent out a helicopter to take her to the nearest hospital before she flies back to Venezuela.

The clip is working perfectly and we can hear her being taken inside a helicopter. Just as we're airborne too I look out from my window to see the helicopter fly up and away from us in the distance. And I pray with everything in me that she comes back safe and sound.

***

Marcella Quintana's P.O.V.

I try not to smile as the men call Cameron only for him to start yelling at them to wake me up. I act dazed when I'm shaken and droplets of water are flicked at my face. They take me to the hospital immediately where I'm checked and bandaged up. We make our way to the airport after and throughout the whole flight I'm a ball of nerves hoping that Judah has made it to the next safe house without harm.

After landing in Venezuela, we take another helicopter closer to the main base. I perk up in excitement when I see Cameron waiting for me and as soon as we're set down I open the door and run to him. Cameron pulls me into a tight hug and I return the gesture with a chuckle before we pull away.

"I thought you were fucking dead!" He hisses as he smacks the back of my head. "You had me worried sick!"

"Ow! I'm sorry!" I whine and he huffs before throwing his arm across my shoulders and pulling me to his car.

"You're going to be the death of me someday." He mutters as we get in and he starts driving back home. "Marcus and Leo are dead. Tell me everything that happened."

With grief pulling at my heart, I dive into the events of what occurred that night up to present day. Midway I turn off the audio of the hair clip for now while we're talking. Cam's expression ranges between so many different emotions it almost gives me whiplash. He frowns thoughtfully when I mention that Judah's hired a security team.

"How are things here?"

"All going to plan. I've got everyone we need on our side and counting. We're going to start disabling dad's drug, weapons and sex trafficking operations one by one." Cameron explains with an excited smile. "It's going to take some time so we don't raise suspicion but we'll be jetting off to travel the world soon Marcie."

"That's great!" I cheer with a wide grin. "It's a good thing I got us some help too then!"

He immediately frowns in confusion before groaning dramatically. "What did you do now?"

"Well, the team offered me a deal to help them take down dad by providing them with intel. I signed it on the condition that me and you won't be harmed. They agreed to have no eyes or ears on us after this is all over too." I explain with a bright smile and he shakes his head with a chuckle.

"Smart as ever."

"Thank you!" I wink and pretend to do a bow in the space that I have.

"And Judah... do you like him?" He glances at me quickly.

"I never said that nor implied it."

"It's written all over your face idiot." He deadpans which makes me swat his arm.

"He's really sweet and funny. I think you'll like him." I admit softly as I glance at him from the corner of my eye.

"He still has to earn my approval to date you."

"Cam!" I groan and he flicks my forehead in response.

"What does he think about you coming back and helping to take dad down?"

"Hates it. He was trying to convince me to stay." I laugh and that makes Cameron smile in satisfaction.

"So, once this is over you're going to run off into the sunset with him and back out of our travel plans?" He pouts and I shake my head vehemently.

"Absolutely not! We're going to go places Cam! I won't back out no matter what!" I reassure him and we grin excitedly.

"I was thinking we should go to Italy first."

"Fine, but I want to go to Russia next." I slouch a little in my seat to get comfortable when I notice his somber expression. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing...I'm just worried." He smiles weakly before turning back to the road ahead. "You didn't kill Sergei Orlov."

And just like that the excitement is gone. I close my eyes and rest my head back as I remember the second assignment dad gave me. The fact that I not only failed my first one but didn't even start my second is going to get me in big trouble. I have an inkling of what's in store for me though so I mentally prepare myself as Cameron enters the compound of our main base.

"He's probably going to take you out of the inner circle for a while. Maybe give you paperwork? Or just training only?" Cameron shrugs as he gnaws on his bottom lip nervously.

"How am I supposed to help you and the team when I won't be on the ground for the operations?!" I run a hand through my hair with a distressed breath.

"Don't worry about that. I'll give you the intel and you can relay it back to the team." He smiles reassuringly as he parks before turning to me with worry flickering in his eyes. "Please don't piss him off any further. Stay quiet, always stay safe and out of his way. Lay low. Understood?"

"Understood." I grumble before he hugs me tightly.

"I love you Marcie." He murmurs and I smile against his shoulder. "I can't wait to take all these worries away from you and for us to start living life like we should be."

"Love you more Cam." I grin as we pull away. "Nobody deserves a better and more relaxed life than you. You're the best big brother I could ever ask for."

"Fuck off, you'll make me cry." He shoves me away and I laugh loudly as we get out of the car.

We make our way to the ominous double doors of our home that I've never liked and stand quietly for a few seconds. I grab Cameron's hand and squeeze tightly because I suddenly feel nervous. I know my father is going to be furious but I pray with everything in me that the consequences aren't harsh.

I forget that my father is Carlos Quintana though. The consequences are always harsh.

Update schedule is: once a week whenever I find time!

Vote if you are enjoying this story!

Chapter 15 is already up on Inkitt! Click the link in my bio or announcement post to read my book faster!

1. Download the app

2. Follow my profile

3. Put my book in your reading list!

- R.W. ♡